Legacy in check: New tournament celebrates Maidenhead chess stalwart Nigel Dennis

Photo credit: Yuri Krylov

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Maidenhead Chess Club has paid tribute to the man who has shaped its growth for more than 60 years with the launch of a new tournament in his name.

The Nigel Dennis Cup, a four-round rapidplay series, began on Monday 15th September with an impressive 30 players competing.

The competition, which will continue across the next year with further seasonal rounds, is dedicated to Nigel Dennis, the Maidenhead Junior Chess Club’s organiser and an instrumental member for more than six decades.

Known throughout Berkshire and beyond for his tireless work developing junior chess, Nigel has helped generations of young players on their paths to successful chess careers.

The opening round of the Cup was a showcase of that legacy. Among the competitors was Grandmaster Matthew Wadsworth, who first came through the junior ranks under Nigel’s guidance and went on to achieve the game’s highest title. Fittingly, he was paired against Nigel on Board 1 in the tournament’s opening game, before going on to secure overall victory with a flawless 6/6 score.

Many of the other entrants were either current juniors coached by Nigel or former pupils who had benefited from his guidance in years gone by, underlining how far-reaching his influence has been.

The event was both ECF- and FIDE-rated, marking a rare distinction for a club tournament, made possible by the involvement of an accredited Arbiter. Newly elected club president Yuri Krylov not only organised and officiated throughout, but also hopes this will be the first of many initiatives. He takes over from long-serving president Keith Trower, who leaves behind an incredible legacy of making the club welcoming, friendly, and successful.

“I met Nigel later in my chess journey and didn’t have the chance to benefit from his guidance as a junior, but I did see him run mini tournaments at our club,” Yuri said.

“The joy of seeing the club full of players eager to take part inspired me to begin my own path as an arbiter and organiser. After completing arbiter courses and gaining wider tournament experience, I felt ready to take things to the next level by registering the event in the official calendar and securing an international FIDE rating for it.”

With 30 players from Maidenhead and beyond taking part, the Cup gave members a chance to test themselves in a competitive environment typically reserved for larger congresses.

Nigel’s influence on the club has been profound. He continues to coach juniors every Saturday, organises tournaments across Maidenhead and the wider region, and has overseen the rise of countless talented players.

Surprisingly, he still finds plenty of time to play competitive chess and is a regular player for the club, as well as on the wider chess circuit. He never misses competitions, like the British Chess Championships, and has a record of most consecutive appearances at the historic Hastings Chess Congress, which currently stands at 60.

International Master Natasha Regan, now an award-winning chess author, recalled his support from her own junior days: “Nigel was organising our junior county team when I was at school! Thank you to Nigel for all of his work over 60 years.”

Although Nigel himself has expressed surprise at having a tournament named in his honour, the sentiment from everyone at the club is unanimous. He has been the driving force in promoting chess for more than 60 years, particularly among young players. His dedication has inspired generations of juniors, and Maidenhead continues to benefit from that legacy with many young players now active at the club.

“Looking back through our club records we can see Nigel first mentioned in the 1960s,” said Nigel Smith, Maidenhead Chess Club Secretary.

“As time progressed, Nigel has become a key organiser on the local and county scene, running teams for the club and county, while actively involved in organising county chess and regular local tournaments, particularly for juniors. The jewel in the crown is the annual Bucks & Berks Congress that Nigel organises over each August Bank Holiday.

“His contribution to promoting and growing the junior chess community at the local and county level has been immense. Many a local player returning to chess at our club after having stopped playing for a few decades is pleasantly surprised to see Nigel still actively involved.”

This event was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Louis Baylis Charitable Trust. Their funding has given Maidenhead Chess Club the chance to innovate, grow, and accommodate more chess for players of all abilities.

Over the past few years, the club has built a reputation as one of the most welcoming in the country, thanks in no small part to Nigel’s dedication to inspiring and nurturing new generations of players. The club is proud of that ethos and keen to extend it even further; newcomers of all ages and abilities are warmly welcomed, and the community is always eager to see new faces join. There is no pressure to be as strong as Grandmaster Wadsworth - the aim is to ensure that every player, whatever their strength, can enjoy a meaningful and rewarding game.

The Nigel Dennis Cup will continue throughout the year, offering players the chance to compete in a friendly yet competitive environment while celebrating the contribution of a man who has shaped the club’s history.