Stephen Quartermaine, who has been Chairman for the past seven years, wishes to step down after such a long time, and has asked me to take over in September. We are all extremely grateful for his leadership and all his hard work, which he has done single-handedly during such a long period.

We always welcome new players of any age to the Chess Circle as we want to expand our numbers. If anybody is interested, please come to our Chess Evenings on the first Thursday of each month, or contact me direct. Hurlingham takes part in the Hamilton-Russell Cup Competition against other London Clubs namely the RAC, East India/Oriental, National Liberal Club, Oxford & Cambridge, Reform, Athenaeum/ Lansdowne, MCC, Chelsea Arts and Roehampton, with home and away matches. We play Cup Matches which count towards the Competition, so we have to select the strongest players, and also Friendly Matches to give opportunities for less experienced players. Anybody who wishes to play for the Club needs to have experience of playing against a chess clock, but this can be quickly and easily demonstrated. After each match there is a dinner with members of the opposing team, which makes it an enjoyable social occasion. The Competition lasts from September to April, with a Speed Chess Competition kindly hosted by the RAC in May, with each player having five minutes on the clock, which requires quick reactions and intense concentration.

PHILIP FLEURY, CHAIR, CHESS
philipfleury@aol.com

As you reflect on the Olympic Games in Paris, you may be interested to hear that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially recognises intellectual sports foundations! This includes the UK but, in spite of this, no Paris participation. There was, however, UK representation at the Mind Sports Games in Buenos Aires this August. Your Chair was not invited, but with no entry in the elimination rounds that is no surprise!

It has been a pleasure to be closely involved with bridge over the last three years. A baptism of fire, as Covid was still lingering. Online bridge thrived, but our weekly programme, special events and fixtures had to be kick-started. That all seems a long time ago.

Now we are faced with curtailed activities during the East Wing construction period. Fortunately, much has been achieved and we are delighted that our social informal bridge sessions are holding their own. Members wishing to play in bridge matches now apply via a computer-based system, and we have a much larger pool of players for our fixtures.

At the competitive end, we are holding our own. To reinforce our skills, we have invited Sally Brock, an international player and Sunday Times bridge correspondent, to give a Masterclass on Thursday 12 September in the Terrace Room from 6.30pm to 9.30pm and again in November.

Finally, I would like to thank the bridge committee, the volunteers who manage our events, those who act as team captains and Jess Ormsby, our colleague in the admin office. Subject to endorsement at the AGM, Antonia Previte (pictured) will be taking over as Chair. We wish her all the very best for the future. From a personal standpoint, I shall worry less about opening two clubs and think more in terms of selecting from 14 clubs!

ROGER LAWSON, CHAIR, BRIDGE