Suffolk Chess

This is the final article in Michael Clapham's series.   Click here and here for the earlier articles.

Of course no record of Suffolk chess authors/editors is complete without mentioning Bob Jones who has done more to promote Suffolk Chess than anyone else with the help of his many self-published chess periodicals, booklets, newsletters and ratings lists.

Bob took over the production of the Suffolk Rating List at an early stage and, while this was primarily aimed at juniors, it provided all chess-players in Suffolk with a monthly update on local chess events.   The publication was packed full of ratings, statistics, results and news etc. and was eagerly anticipated by all players to check their progress (or otherwise).

The Suffolk Rating List ran for 8 years up to May 1996 when it was incorporated into the newly launched Suffolk Chess Journal edited by, guess who, Bob Jones, with the assistance of Colin Roberts and Steve Lawer.   The old Suffolk Chess Bulletin had run for many years but fizzled out in 1995.   The photo (right) shows the 50th anniversary issue of the rating list.

The Suffolk Chess Journal was issued six times a year and included many articles, games and items of local interest as well as the regularly updated rating list and statistics.   This continued under Bob’s co-editorship until February 1998.   Bob again took over the editorship of the SCJ in 2010 and continued until this was superseded by the excellent Suffolk Chess website.

Bob also produces the annual, indispensable, Bury Area Chess League booklet which includes all of the information necessary for BACL members including fixtures, rules, grades, maps of venues and much more.

Bob has produced several other publications over the years including:

*    Suffolk Junior Chess: List of Players (1990)
*    Around the County Newsletter for the county chess teams (1991-92)
*    Numerous Results and Cross-Tables from the many congresses that he has organised.