This post is part one of an occasional series outlining the illustrious history of Glasgow Montrose Chess Club.

In this bumper edition we delve into minutes and other archival material covering the first year of the club, from its formation in 30th September 1965 to its first Annual General Meeting on 5th September 1966.

Many thanks to Sam Collins for making this material available for use on glasgowmontrosechess.org.

Click “More” to see more…

Glasgow Montrose Chess Club

The club was formed on Thursday 30^th September 1965 at a meeting held in the clubrooms at 23, Montrose Street.

The aims of the club were to promote interest in prospective chess players, organise competitions for the members, to ultimately enter a team in the 3^rd division of the Glasgow Chess League and for all members to enjoy the fellowship of the club.

At the meeting it was agreed unanimously by the members present that the title of the club should be The Glasgow Montrose Chess Club.

The following Office Bearers were appointed: – Club Secretary: A.J.Blackburn; Club Treasurer: A.Jarvis.

It was also agreed that the club secretary and treasurer be duly appointed team selectors, for any matches arranged by the club.

It was agreed that one competition shall be played amongst the members for the current season with a view to assess future handicaps. The rules for the competition shall include the scoring of points as follows: –

Win = 2 points
Draw = 1 point

It was agreed by members that the club secretary get in touch with Telephone House chess club to arrange a match.

14th October 1965: Letter received from Telephone House chess club accepting our offer to play them on Monday 22^nd November.

18th October 1965: Letter mailed to Telephone House chess club accepting their invitation to play chess.

19th November 1965: Letter mailed to Society of Blind chess club accepting their invitation to a challenge match. We propose to have approximately 10 players.

24th November 1965: Letter received from Society of Blind chess club acknowledging above letter.

On Monday 22^nd November 1965 the club played a match with Telephone House CC at the Library Room of Marland House. The result was a win by 3 games to 2 in favour of the home club.

A very enjoyable evening was held despite the marked superiority of our opponents. It was agreed by our members to invite the Telephone House CC to our premises sometime in the New Year.

Board	Telephone House CC		Glasgow Montrose CC
1 W	E.Sharp	1 – 0	Jimmy Rodgers
2 B	J.Stuart	1 – 0	Chris Murphy
3 B	S.Ormond	1 – 0	Alan Jarvis
4 B	W.Ferguson	0 – 1	Anthony J Blackburn
5 W	J.McGregor	0 – 1	George McCraken
		3 – 2

On Monday 6^th December 1965 our club were the guests to the Society of Blind chess club whose premises are situated at 93 Douglas Street. A very enjoyable evening was had by all the players.

The result of the match was a victory for Glasgow Montrose CC:

Board	Society of Blind CC		Glasgow Montrose CC
1 B	Opponent	0 – 1	J. Duffus
2 W	“	1 – 0	Jimmy Rodgers
3 B	“	1 – 0	A.Arthur
4 W	“	0 – 1	Anthony J Blackburn
5 B	“	½ – ½	George McCraken
6 W	“	0 – 1	A.Smith
		2.5 – 3.5

December 1965. Letters posted to Telephone House CC & Society of Blind CC thanking them for accommodating Glasgow Montrose CC in chess matches.

December 1965. Letter mailed to Mr J Purley (Knightswood CC) requesting a match at chess for 6 players.

Letter received from J Watson (Knightswood CC) acknowledging our request. Match to be played at Knightswood community centre on Wednesday 29^th December 1965 at 7.30pm.

On Wednesday 29^th December 1965 the club engaged in a friendly match with Knightswood CC. Play began at 8.00pm and finished at 10.30pm. The results of the games played were as follows: –

Board	Glasgow Montrose CC		Knightswood CC
1	C Murphy	0-1	Opponent
2	J Rodger	0-1	“
3	A Jarvie	1-0	“
4	AJ	0-1	“
5	A Arthur	0-1	“
6	R Hobbs	0-1	“
7	S Burke	0-1	“
		1-6

Club to make application to join 3^rd division of the Glasgow chess league sometime in July.

Club to restart season on Thursday 13^th January 1966.

January 1966. Letter sent to Telephone House requesting return match sometime in February.

3rd February 1966. Telephoned Mr Ormond (Telephone House) reminding him of letter sent regarding proposed return match.

10th February 1966. Letter sent to Knightswood CC inviting their members to our premises any Thursday evening. Not more than 8 players a side.

Annual General Meeting of club to be held on 28^th April 1966 (Cancelled)

Letter received from Telephone House accepting our invitation to a chess match on Thursday 24^th February.

The club played a return match with Telephone House on Thursday 24^th February and resulted as follows: –

Board	Glasgow Montrose CC		Knightswood CC
1	C Murphy	1-0	C Sharp
2	J Rodger	0.5-0.5	J Stewart
3	G McCracken	0-1	S Ormond
4	AJ Blackburn	0-1	J Foster
5	R Hobbs	1-0	Default
6	A Arthur	1-0	Default
		3.5-2.5

Thursday 10^th March the club were at home to Knightswood CC.

Board	Knightswood CC		Glasgow Montrose CC
1	G Rodger	1-0	C Murphy
2	J Purley	1-0	J Rodger
3	J Watson	0-1	A Jarvie
4	S McGregor	1-0	G McCracken
5	S Woods	0-1	R Hobbs
6	A Arthur	0.5-0.5	S Burke
		3.5-2.5

On Thursday 17^th March 1966 at our own premises, the club played a friendly match with the Society for the Blind. The results of the match were as follows: –

Board	Glasgow Montrose CC		Society for the Blind
1	C Murphy	0-1	T Moyes
2	J Rodger	1-0	W Munro
3	A Jarvie	0-1	T Cairns
4	G McCracken	0-1	M Campbell
5	R Hobbs	0-1	A McNAb
		1-4

On 21^st April 1966 at our own premises, the club played a friendly match with Polytechnic CC. The results of the match were as follows: –

Board	Glasgow Montrose CC		Polytechnic CC
1	C Murphy	1-0	Opponent
2	A Jarvie	0-1	“
3	J Rodger	0.5-0.5	“
4	G McCracken	0-1	“
5	R Hobbs	0.5-0.5	“
6	V Limonci	0-1	“
7	AJ Blackburn	0-1	“
8	S Burke	1-0	“
		3-5

(Not sure about result there seems to be conflicting scores 1-5 & 3½-4½. In the minutes book board 1 & 8 have been written in different ink. It may be that these games were not played and given by default. SC.)

Received two communications from Mr Nelson the league secretary. One dealing with Constitution & Rules of the Glasgow Chess League. The other with matters appertaining to the Glasgow Chess League Annual General Meeting.

Club money in hand up to and including 5^th September 1966 = £4 –14 -9d.

Communication received from Mr Nelson re-Glasgow Chess League’s 5^th Annual Glasgow Congress.

GLASGOW MONTROSE CHESS CLUB – MINUTES of First AGM

At the club rooms (Health Department Montrose Street)
Monday 5^th September 1966
5.30pm

The members present were: Messrs C Murphy, A Arthur, A Jarvie, W Graham, R Hobbs, S Burke, V Limonci and AJ Blackburn.

The previous minutes were taken as read and approved on a proposal by W Graham, sec by A Jarvie.

The treasurer’s report was read and approved on a proposal by C Murphy sec by AJ Blackburn.

Out of this report, it was noted that the club funds stand at £4-14-10.

It was also suggested that the secretary approach Mr Duffus with the possible allocation of a grant to offset the cost of new boards and sets of chessmen.

The appointment of Office Bearers resulted as follows: –

Captain of Club: – Mr C Murphy (Moved S Burke sec Mr AJ Blackburn)

Treasurer: – A Arthur (Moved S Burke sec A Jarvie)

Secretary: – AJ Blackburn (Moved A Arthur sec S Burke)

On a proposal by W Graham, sec by A Jarvie it was agreed that the selection of teams for league matches to be left in the hands of the office bearers of the club.

The weekly subscription will be 6d per attendance and 6d per match evenings both home and away.

The club evening will be on Thursdays.

There shall be one competition viz: Club Championship.

This competition will be played by competitors at 2 games each both playing alternate colours. The duration of each game will be strictly 2½ hours. Unfinished games will go for adjudication by office bearers.

The delegate appointed on behalf of the club to the Glasgow Chess League A G M is A Jarvie

( M C Murphy, sec S Burke)

The club will re-start on Thursday 15^th September 1966.

A vote of thanks was given to the chairman (C Murphy).