ROGER Tuddenham, who for years has been the moving force behind the Denby Dale chess club (now operating from the Chartist pub in Skelmanthorpe as The Chartists) nipped down last week for his usual game and pint of Guinness.

But instead of a handful of Chartist players he found a roomful of more than 30 players gathered from all over the Huddersfield and District Chess Association playing zone.

Fellow player Roger Sutcliffe had organised a special surprise party the week before Roger's 60th birthday.

A stunned Roger entered the room to strains of "Happy birthday to you", there was a champagne toast and a cake decorated as a chessboard.

Association secretary Bill Lumley and Tony Midgley of Huddersfield Chess Club made short speeches and Roger recovered from his shock to reply.

Roger has been a player and administrator at the highest level for both the Huddersfield league and Huddersfield Chess Club.

He has been the president of both organisations and was one of Huddersfield's most successful captains in the Yorkshire league.

Afterwards there was a short chess match between four teams representing Chartists, Netherton (near Wakefield) , Huddersfield and a miscellaneous "All Stars", which was won by Huddersfield.

Curiously when the AGM of the Huddersfield Association was held the next day, at.Netherton WMC, near Wakefield, with president Alec Ward unable to attend, Mr Tuddenham was in the chair.

Secretary Bill Lumley who has been in office for 27 years said his task had been made easier by the support of long-serving club secretaries.

Treasurer David Firth reported a sound financial position and it was agreed that entry fees for next season would be unchanged.

Trophies and mementos were presented as follows: Watkinson Trophy - Netherton; Littlewood Shield - Huddersfield Knights; Team KO - Chartists; Examiner Plate - Holme Valley; and WF Lumley Cup - Netherton.

Individual KOs: Section One - P Shaw (beat DW Jackson); Section Two - N R Hepworth (beat B Brian); Section Three - M Shah (beat J Hughes); and FW Brown Trophy - P Shaw and DM Denison.