University of Bedfordshire & Luton Chess Club Minutes of Extraordinary General Meeting – 20 May 2025
1 ELECTION OF CHAIR AND SECRETARY FOR THE MEETING
Peter Montgomery was elected as Chair for the meeting.
2 Attendees P Montgomery, R Smith, D Welton, T Hayden, T O’Brien, Q Zaidi, G Sackey-Clarke, A Pye, S Vora, H Mirza, J Hudson. Apologies A Juhasz
3 PROPOSED CHANGES TO BEDFORDSHIRE CHESS LEAGUE RULES
Two changes to the league rules were Discussed:-
a) A minor change to correct an error resulting from the switch from analogue clocks to digital clocks.
b) A proposal to require estimated ratings to be used when determining the playing order of teams in league matches.
Following explanations of the reasoning behind the changes and discussions it was agreed that PM would send the proposals to the League Controller (Adrian Elwin) for inclusion on the agenda of the BCL AGM (usually held in September every year).
4 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP 2025
After 4 rounds of the tournament T O’Brien and J Hudson were tied for first place with 3½ points out of 4. As per the rules of the tournament the Sonneborn-Berger tie break was applied resulting in T O’Brien winning the tournament.
5 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
It was agreed that the Ladder tournament would be extended until the start of the new league season.
It was agreed that we would try to organise some practice matches between 2 teams of club members. This will help newer members to get used to playing under league conditions, recording moves and using a clock.
There will be a rapid play tournament using the same time controls as the BCL Cordon Trophy.
It was noted that club membership is almost exclusively male. Members should take any opportunity to promote the club to potential new members. PM agreed to check that the club’s website appears in internet searches and that contact/venue details on the ECF web site are correct. Report by Peter Montgomery below.
Information online may be found by navigating to the ECF Club finder link below and searching for "Luton Chess Club":
https://ecf.justgo.com/clubfinder.htm
A screenshot of our details on the ECF web site is pictured below. The map on the ECF web site may be zoomed in to get details of the location. Various search engines both on a Windows computer, Android and iOS phone. All returned links to the club’s web site.
Peter Montgomery, Club Secretary. 20 May 2025