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Bearsden Chess Club
1901
Winner of the Spens Cup 1969, 1971, 1974 and 1996.
Winner of the Richardson Cup 1976.
The Early Years
The Falkirk Herald of 10 April 1901 (p. 8) referred to several clubs that had started recently, including Bearsden.
The Berwickshire News and General Advertiser of 03 March 1903 (p. 6), quoting from the Glasgow Herald, reports on the death of a Mr Willam Miller, banker, at his residence, Rosenlaui, Bearsden, on 24 February. In Bearsden Mr Miller was a member of the South United Free Church, President of the local bowling club, and "Vice-President of the chess club, which was started two years ago."
Bearsden entered a team in the Spens Cup for season 1903-04. The club also participated in the very forst season of the Glasgow Chess League 1908-09, playing in the 3rd Division.
A selection of references from the Milngavie and Bearsden Herald:
1904 - 15 April, p. 3:
The annual general meeting of this club was held in the Lesser Public Hall, Bearsden, on Wednesday evening last-Mr Ninian Glen, president, in the chair. The secretary (Mr W. Higgins) submitted the following report for the past year:-Last session the membership of the club numbered 32. Of these 3 members died and 1 resigned, whilst 3 new members joined, thus making the total membership 31. During the session the club has met 28 times, and through the kindness of Mr Ninian Glen, the president, the club had the benefit of a visit upon 16th November of Mr Blackburn [sic-Blackburne], the distinguiched chess player. As in former sessions the committee arranged three separate competitions, viz.:- (1) Competition for the senior championship, confined to players in and above class 3; (2) Competition for the junior championship, confined to players in and above class 4; and (3) a knock-out handicap tournament. For the senior championship 5 players entered, which resulted in Mr James Carrick being declared the winner with 3½ wins, and for the junior championship 11 entered, and resulted in Mr R.C. Higgins and Mr W. Gowans each having 6 wins at the end of the tournament. For the prize, these two members played an odd game, which was one by Mr R.C. Higgins, who was declared the champion. The president's prize thus falls to be awarded to Mr James Carrick, and the medal presented by the Scottish Chess Association falls to be awarded to Mr R.C. Higgins. In the knockout handicap tournament the final contest lay between Mr John E. Cruickshank and Mr Thomas Barr, the result being a win for Mr Cruickshank. The first prize, kindly presented by Mr Moses Smith, accordingly falls to be awarded to Mr John E. Cruickshank. The second prize, presented by the club, falls to be awarded to Mr Barr. For the first time the club entered for the Spens Cup tournament on the knock-out plan, open for competition among the Junior Chess Clubs of Scotland, each club being represented by 5 players. Bearsden Chess Club was drawn to play the Athenaeum Chess Club, and was represented by John A. Smith, John E. Cruickshank, Henry Higgins, Thos. Barr and W. Higgins, and resulted in a win for the Athenaeum Chess Club by 3½ games as against 1½. The financial statement shows the income including a balance of £2 1s 5d brought forward from last season, to have amounted to £12 12s 11d, and the expenditure to £10 17s 4d, leaving a net balance at the credit of the club of £2 1s 7d. For the handsome prizes presented by the president and by Mr Moses Smith the thanks of the members are due, and also to Mr Glen for having brought out Mr Blackburn [sic] at his own expense.
On the motion of the Chairman the report was approved of.
The following office-bearers were then appointed for the ensuing year:-President, Mr Henry Higgins; vice-president, Mr Moses Smith; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. Higgins, Doonholm, Bearsden; committee-Messrs John E. Cruickshank, John Young and Thomas Barr.
The Chairman thereafter presented the prizes to the successful competitors, and at the close a cordial vote of thanks was awarded to the retiring office-bearers.
1910 - 15 April, p. 4:
The annual general meeting of this club was held in the Lesser Public Hall, Bearsden, on Wednesday evening of last week. Mr W.C. Stephen, president, in the chair. The secretary submitted the tenth annual report, from which it was shown that the membership during the past session numbered 30. In connection with the Glasgow Chess League, the club had played seven matches, of which they won four, drew two, and lost one. Of the games in these matches the club won thirty-one and lost eighteen. The prizes to the successful competitors were distributed by the Chairman. The President's Prize was awarded to Mr W. Higgins, as winner in the Senior Championship; the Silver Medal, presented by the Scottish Chess Association, to Mr George A. Bell, as winner in the Junior Championship; and the Club's Prize to Mr James G. Carrick, as winner in the Knock-out Handicap Tournament. Thereafter the following office-bearers were appointed for the ensuing year:-President, Mr Thomas Barr; vice-president, Mr W.T. Evans; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. Higgins, Doonholm, Bearsden; committee-Messrs Hector Dove, W.C. Stephen, and G.A. Bell. At the close of the business a cordial vote of thanks was awarded to the retiring president.
1916 - 19 May, p. 2
The following office-bearers were appointed for the ensuing year:-President, Mr C.C. Grant; vice-president, Mr Peter Wallace; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. Higgins, Doonholm, Bearsden; committee-Messrs H.A. Nesbitt, A.G. Laskie, and S. Whiteley. The secretary proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Nesbitt for the deep interest he had taken in the club since he became a member, and for his kindness in presenting, during the past session, a large framed photograph of the members, and also, along with the President, in presenting a handsome silver cup to be played for each year, which was cordially awarded, and Mr Nesbitt acknowledged the same.
1919 - 21 November, p. 4:
At the meeting of the Club held on Monday last, Mr William Gibson engaged 11 boards, of which he won 8, drew 2, and losat 1. Altogether Mr Gibson played 19 games, of which he won 16, drew 2, and lost 1. As an amateur chess player, Mr Gibson is recognised as one of the foremost in Scotland. He is not only champion of the Glasgow Chess Club, but he is also an ex-champion of Scotland.
Compiled by Alan McGowan
Historian, Chess ScotlandUpdated Jan 4, 2020