BCA – Bringing Chess To Visually Impaired People

The 30th Chess Theme Break

Chess Theme Break logo designed by Freya Smith. The letters alternate between blue on white squares and white on blue squares, chessboard style!

In January 2024 members gathered at the Lauriston Hotel in Weston-super-Mare for our 30th Chess Theme Break! There was a drinks reception to celebrate three decades of this remarkable event and we were joined by Councillor Ciaran Cronnelly, the Mayor of the town. It was wonderful that Celia Gibbs, who ran the Chess Theme Break for 27 years with her late husband, Peter, was with us too, as well as Stan Lovell, who together with his late wife, Jan, came up with the original idea for the Chess Theme Break. Freya Smith designed a bespoke Chess Theme Break logo and had a batch of beanie hats made for the occasion. They were very popular!

Mayor Ciaran Cronnelly pictured with Mark Hague and Lea Ryan. Mark and Lea are wearing their Chess Theme Break beanie hats.
Mayor Ciaran Cronnelly pictured with Mark Hague and Lea Ryan. Mark and Lea are wearing their Chess Theme Break beanie hats.

After all the celebrations on the first evening, players quickly got down to the main business of the week – the coaching! The seven coaches were all BCA members who had given up their time to help the ten trainees. Coaching took place in small groups and occasionally one to one. There was always a happy buzz of chess chat when the coaching sessions were on!

Lea Ryan, Eleanor Tew, Irene Elbourn and Tony Elbourn in a How Good is Your Chess session with Gerry Walsh
Lea Ryan, Eleanor Tew, Irene Elbourn and Tony Elbourn in a How Good is Your Chess session with Gerry Walsh
Bittor Ibanez and Gill Smith being coached by Stan Lovell
Bittor Ibanez and Gill Smith being coached by Stan Lovell

There were plenty of social activities during the 30th Chess Theme Break. For many, the highlight was a coach trip to Thatchers Cider for a talk and tasting. We also enjoyed lunch out at a local café. In the evenings there was a quiz, a murder mystery, a word game, music and dancing. Never a dull moment!

The BCA group was treated to a cider talk and tasting at the Railway Inn, courtesy of Thatchers.
The BCA group was treated to a cider talk and tasting at the Railway Inn, courtesy of Thatchers.
Members took to the dance floor to enjoy music performed by Chris Rainbow.
Members took to the dance floor to enjoy music performed by Chris Rainbow.

The chess activities were also many and varied. Three members of Weston Chess Club came along to challenge our trainees in mini simuls. Our guys managed one draw to save the BCA from a whitewashing but everyone enjoyed the afternoon. It’s always great to make new chess friends! We also had How Good is Your Chess sessions and talks on the History of Chess.

Kerry Kyriacou from Weston-super-Mare chess club takes on three BCA members in a mini simultaneous. Kerry won all of the games!
Kerry Kyriacou from Weston-super-Mare chess club takes on three BCA members in a mini simultaneous. Kerry won all of the games!

The final chess activity in Weston was the tournament. Nine of the trainees competed. Congratulations to Bittor Ibanez, who won with a perfect score! The Peter & Celia Gibbs Award 2024 was presented to Bittor by Celia herself.

Celia Gibbs presents the Peter and Celia Gibbs Award 2024 to Bittor Ibanez, who won the tournament with 5/5.
Celia Gibbs presents the Peter and Celia Gibbs Award 2024 to Bittor Ibanez, who won the tournament with 5/5.

Freya Smith’s raffle raised £123 for BCA funds. There were more prizes than people who’d bought tickets! Finally we had a traditional BCA soirée – music, singing, jokes and poetry readings, all by the members for the members! It rounded off a great week in Weston, enjoyed by all!

Freya Smith ran a very successful raffle which raised £123 for BCA funds. Prizes had been donated by the members.
Freya Smith ran a very successful raffle which raised £123 for BCA funds. Prizes had been donated by the members.

Julie Leonard