Maidenhead Chess Club celebrates remarkable achievements at British Chess Championships

Andy Smith

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Maidenhead Chess Club is proudly celebrating the extraordinary performances of two of its members, Andy Smith and Matthew Wadsworth, at the recent British Chess Championships in Hull.

Andy, from Bourne End, took the title in the over 65s category while Matthew, from Maidenhead, came third in the British Championship section.

Both players entered their respective competitions ranked outside of the top 10 but finished with outstanding results, solidifying their reputations as two of the top chess players in the country.

Matthew, who went into the tournament ranked 11th, managed to outperform several Grandmasters, earning his second prestigious ‘Grandmaster norm’ in the process. This achievement adds to an already impressive chess career that began at the age of four when his father taught him the basics of the game. Matthew’s chess journey has been marked by standout performances including his fifth-placed finish at the u12s World Youth Championship in 2012. He also became the British u18s champion in 2015. He earned International Master title in 2019 while studying Economics at Queen’s College, Cambridge, where he also rowed for the college team.

Since finishing at University Matthew has been on an extended gap year trying to earn the prestigious title of Chess Grandmaster. In the next few months Matthew is hoping to achieve his final grandmaster norm and with it the Grandmaster title before switching focus to his professional career.

Andy Smith, a FIDE Master from Bourne End, emerged as the surprise 2024 British 65+ Champion. Ranked 13th out of 58 competitors, Andy defied expectations by winning the title in his first year competing in the over 65s category. The championships, which concluded on August 4, saw Andy secure a remarkable victory after winning five consecutive games.

Although he faced a tough defeat in the sixth round against Scottish International Master Craig Pritchett, Andy bounced back in the final round with a brilliant attacking win against the top-seeded English FIDE Master Terry Chapman, securing first place with 6/7 points.

Andy, who became a FIDE Master in 1994 started playing chess at the age of six when his mother taught him the game and by 13, he was a member of Lewisham Chess Club. In 2021, Andy self-published “Off the Board Chess: The Best Games and Chess Experiences of Andrew Smith (FM),” to popular acclaim. Today, Andy plays for Bourne End and Maidenhead Chess Clubs, continuing to share his passion for chess with the community.

In addition to his chess prowess, Andy is known for his commitment to charity and voluntary work. He volunteers with the Samaritans and is a strong advocate for promoting chess in prisons.

“Andy is an incredibly friendly and caring man, and it’s a true joy to have him as a part of Maidenhead Chess Club.” said Keith Trower, the club’s president

“His dedication to the game and his warm personality make him a beloved member of our community. That said, Andy does have a habit of arriving a bit late to matches, which can lead to some anxious waiting, but once he’s there, he always delivers a stellar performance on the board.”

Members of Maidenhead Chess Club were glued to the live streams of Andy and Matthew’s games throughout the championships and are overjoyed at the success they’ve achieved on a national stage.