West London Chess Club

West London C.C. Thriving

We had a successful display with Penrose who won all but three drawn games. However, the spectators' number fell this time to 25. It was an enjoyable and fruitful occasion, all the same.

I read your advice to secretaries with interest. I agree with your recommendation that the hall should be made attractive and the boards layed out in advance. It is of course common sense that price for the rental should be as low as possible but this is a relative proposition. You knew of our particular problem before we moved here. Well, skeptics who thought we could not make the club viable were confounded and we are now approaching our target number of members to make us self-supporting and solvent. We have had about three to four new members weekly since we moved into the town hall. This is a complete reversal of the trend which has been noticeable while we were in cheap premises, when we could count our losses in membership weekly. The greater distance from central London proved to be no deterrent to enthusiasts. On the whole I think our comfortable home, now well lit and heated, is a great attraction. With the problem of youth we had curious experiences both positive and negative. We gained about six very keen young players who are now regulars at our sessions and even playing in the second team with success while our appeal for large scale recruitment failed entirely so that both my schemes, a youth tournament with attractive prizes, and special course for youth, are coming into question. It may be that lateness in the season is the cause as this is just the time when the school youth is hard pressed for studies towards the end of the year. So we will try again in the autumn.

With many thanks for your continuous support.

N. GRISOGONO (Secretary)