Forward

Having already compiled a ‘Biography of John Watkinson’, and a ‘History of the Huddersfield Chess Club’, I thought it was only proper that I should complete the local picture by producing a history of the Huddersfield and District Chess Association.
This has indeed been a labour of love, as it was due to this organisation that I began to play the game seriously. I was introduced to the Watkinson Knock-out (section three) in 1940 by a friend, Andrew Leitch, who worked alongside Norman Calvert, who was then the Association secretary. At that time paying the entry fee of one shilling (5p) meant that you became a member of the Association. I was beaten in this final by Harold Beaumont, but with my runners-up prize money, I joined the Huddersfield Chess Club.

I should like to express my thanks, firstly to the present secretary, Bill Lumley, who has provided me with the dates of various events, and also with many names missing from my own records of winners. And secondly to Nigel Hepworth for transferring my written notes into print.

The Beginning
It has been recorded that in the 1894-95 season, the Huddersfield Chess Club had an ‘A’ team which played mid-week friendly matches against some local teams, for example, Honley, Lindley Parish Church, Lindley Liberals, Huddersfield YMCA, St. John’s YMCA, Hillhouse Congregational Church and the Friendly & Trades Club.
At the AGM of the Club on 18th May 1895, it was proposed and agreed to inaugurate a new competition for a trophy open to Clubs in the Huddersfield district (defined as the Huddersfield Poor-Law Union area).