When the cat is away...
Pete • 19 January 2023
David is away for a while so the "B" Team are in charge of the club.
Things have been going well, the club is open and setup on time, players left on time, this week there were 2 matches and they went off without a hitch, new members turned up to play some chess (some pre-warned us, some just turned up but no problem)
The only downside of David being away is the cupboards don't look as neat as normal, the tuck shop price list went missing and I dropped the money tin in the car park scattering 10ps everywhere !

Dave is off on his holidays for a few weeks and this week Steve, Joel and Pete were left in charge. Steve was in charge of the Tuck Shop - his natural environment Joel looked after Davids group Pete looked after his beginners group. All went well...Steve got served at his own Tuck Shop by Pete, Joel brought the wrong charger for his laptop and Pete got diverted by road works and had a tour of Ashton. Highlight of the evening was Pete playing a game in the hall and being pleased to end in a Rook&Pawn vs Rook endgame. Joel and Tim kindly came over and said Pete should win - but didn't tell him how ! Perhaps a lesson for next week by Joel... Steve is away next week teaching some Italians how to play their own opening and Pete has a busy social schedule so both can't make it....leaving Joel, Paul and Sacha in charge. Steve has left instructions on his Tuck Shop layout and how to ensure the cupboard is put away correctly - "as long as it all fits in it will be fine"

This week Paul was sunning himself on holiday, Steve was in London trying to talk to Southerners and Sacha was in bed with the lurgy. This left Pete in sole charge of the evening. Surprisingly things went smoothly, friendly games were played, the Tuck Shop opened as soon as people waved money and the evening ended on time.

Dave is taking a break somewhere more sunny than Ashton and has left Paul, Sacha, Steve and Pete in charge - a rota has even been produced to make sure all is in order. Sacha and Paul have been running sessions in the hall for the more advanced players and Pete has looked after the beginners. Tuck Shop King Steve has rebranded the Tuck Shop with a new logo - designed by a top London advertising agency which has sadly used the profits from the last 2 years...

So far this season we have come 3rd in B division in the MCF after being promoted last season. We are joint top of E division with a play off due against Urmston to decide who goes up and we have won the Rapidplay league. In the SDCL we have finished 2nd in A division after being promoted last year and won the Limit League - brilliant performances from everyone