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2008 Congress Dates 12 - 14 September
Stars Barred - Players graded U210 only
The Leek Chess Congress returns this year, occupying its usual slot in September. From the point of view of entries there is only one section but this section is divided up by the organisers to produce graded sections of up to 36 players (though probably in the 20s). The 2006 congress had 3 of these small sections which turned out to have grading limits U210, U133 and U100.
A team competition runs based on results within the congress, so encourage your clubmates to turn out.
Local players will also be competing for the Landon Memorial Trophy.
The venue, Westwood College (formerly High School), is in pleasant grounds; whilst the moorland area surrounding Leek is well known for its beauty.
Playing times
Friday 1900 - 2300
Saturday and Sunday both 1000 - 1400 and 1445 - 1845.
Contact
Robert Milner
411 Cheadle Road, Cheddleton, Leek, Staffs ST13 7BH
Tel 01782 550112
Accommodation
Smoothhound Systems Leek Hotels page is one possible source of accommodation information, as is the Leek Tourist Information Centre on 01538 483741
Getting There
There is a more detailed street map of Leek here (ignore the arrow).
Public Transport
Those travelling from afar will probably wish to use rail to Stoke on Trent, and then bus out to Leek. It may also be possible to reach Leek by bus from Manchester and Derby and from Sheffield via Buxton, but I have not had chance to check that the relevant services still operate.
Rail to Stoke
There are many sites giving rail timetable information, such as Dracos. For those who haven't used it, the Dracos site is a much more user friendly version of the National rail one, though doesn't have the facility to book tickets.
Bus Stoke to Leek
Leek is served by buses 18, X18 and 16 all starting from Hanley (Stoke city centre to foreigners!), with the X18 continuing to Buxton. Unfortunately the 18 no longer passes Stoke rail station, so rail users will need to make their way up the hill from the station to Hanley bus station. Buses from the stop immediately outside Stoke rail station go to Hanley. Timetables for all these routes can be found on the timetables finder section of the traveline midlands site.
This site also contains details of services 101 and 20 which are normal services running respectively from Stafford and Crewe rail staions to Hanley bus station, which may be useful if engineering works make Stoke station inaccessible. The 20 stop at Crewe is almost on the roundabout to the right of the exit of the rail station.
The Final Walk
The walk from Leek bus station to the venue via West Street is reasonably flat. For those using the number 18 bus there are bus stops for each direction on the A53 at the foot of Wallbridge Drive. The walk from here is shorter, but definitely not on the level.
Commuting by bus between Hanley and Leek
The last bus from Leek on a Friday leaves at 2245, which might be a problem for players in round 1. Otherwise it appears that using a mix of services 18 and 16 commuting is possible. However please check the timetables yourself, particularly as it is some time since I have!