CHESS - Kidderminster Chess Club host annual Presidents Cup tournament - The Kidderminster Standard
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CHESS - Kidderminster Chess Club host annual Presidents Cup tournament

Aaron Sutcliffe 6th Mar, 2026 Updated: 6th Mar, 2026

A TOTAL of 18 players competed in Kidderminster Chess Club’s annual Presidents Cup rapid-play tournament.

The five-round event concluded with Joseph Friar taking overall victory with a perfect record.

Friar overcame John Wrench in round four in a very close game after a draw initially looked the most likely outcome.

However, a mistake by Wrench with only a few pieces on the board allowed Friar to find the winning move with only seconds left on his clock.

Wrench finished as runner-up with Mark Riley in third while five players tied for fourth place.

David Waud, John Varilone, Luke Barton, Cameron Henry and Mike Charlton tied for fourth.




The tournament’s youngest player Henry defied his age throughout and suffered just one defeat to eventual winner Friar.