ChAMPS Spring Chess Challenge with GM Keith Arkell 2025

ChAMPS (Chess Association for Manchester Players & Supporters) Spring Chess Challenge 2025 with GM Keith Arkell is now over.

After three days of playing great chess there were a few first’s to be had – Kyle Pelling aged 18yrs achieved a draw in a classic rated game and Marcial Flores (Totty) achieving his first draw in his first rated blitz game. Totty had lost three blitz games then actually won one – This was Keith’s only loss over the three days and 47 official games.

Another first – Keith had never stood in front of a crowd of people talking about chess using a demonstration board. Keith said, after a couple of minutes he was made to feel completely at ease because of the warm welcome he received and ended up thoroughly enjoying the first time he had ever talked about chess in front of an eager crowd of chess players wanting to learn how to play better chess.

Another first – young Beau Broady (pictured) who had only ever played rapid games had the pleasure of playing his first ever classic game against a Chess Grandmaster.

Beau had played GM Gawain Jones in a simul but he can now say that his first ever classic rated game was against a GM – how cool is that?

Another first – Keith playing against 1500 rated players twice, nearly losing.  That’s a huge risk to Keith’s rating points.  He does this for Eccles.  Are you ready for the next chess challenge?

Whilst Keith was at the high street chess venue he shared his time playing friendly games with the Eccles Chess Family as you can see here teaching and playing with Ken and his lovely daughter Mila.

Keith is now on another chess adventure and I’d like to thank him for being there for Eccles and for sharing many first enjoyable experiences.

It was a great three days of chess with the ambassador of Eccles Community Chess Club GM Keith Arkell – helping to promote Chess in the Community – Keeping Chess Live!

To view images: https://barbarabennettphotography.pixieset.com/champschessspringchallenge/

Monday Night: Ladies and new players from 6.30 pm until 8pm followed by intermediate and advanced chess tuition, presentations and group participation. Later it’s Chess for Fun! All levels of play welcome!!

Wednesday Night: Chess is for Everyone with friendly and ECF Rapidplay games from 7pm until late. Everyone of different chess abilities are more than welcome.

Free refreshments – Free local Parking – All donations gratefully received.

21 Church Street Eccles M30 0DF

Website home page – https://eccleschess.com/