February 2026

Former British champion Robert Bellin is giving a series of talks at The Wellington, a Birmingham city centre specialist real ale pub (37 Bennetts Hill, B2 5SN), on the last Tuesday of each month. The talks are loosely based round the development of chess thought, but there are plenty of diversions along the way.

The next talk will take place on Tuesday 24 February, starting at 7.30pm.

The talks are free but, as The Wellington is making no charge for the use of the room, it would be good form to make a purchase or two from their excellent selection of draft ales (or anything else they have on offer). Be aware that the room in question is at the top of two steep flights of stairs, with no alternative access.

February 2026

Please be aware of the upcoming Wells Chess Congress and West of England Championships (men's and women's) on 6th-8th March (see attached flyer). We are also one of the ECF International Series<https://www.englishchess.org.uk/international-series-2026-calendar/> of events in 2026. It would be great see some players from Halesowen as you sound like a thriving club.

The booking page is here: Wells Congress<https://www.congress.org.uk/congress/681/home>.

January 2026

Congratulations to Alex Chan who performed brilliantly in the Hull and East Riding Rapid tournament. Alex secured first place if tie breaks weren’t taken into account!