As most of you will already know, Bernard C is heading off for pastures new in deepest Somerset and his departure is now imminent. He has been a great presence in KCC over the last ten years and we will all be very sad to see him go. I am so pleased I was able to help smooth his departure from the club by gifting him a "going-away point" in this season's Ken A v Ken B match!
The records show that Bernard's first game (a win!) for the club was in February 2015, since which time he has amassed the following stats in club matches, playing exclusively in Divisions 1 and 2, except for a solitary Div 3 appearance in his debut season:-
2015-16 P6 W4 D1 L1
2016-17 P6 W2 D3 L1
2017-18 P6 W3 D1 L2
2018-19 P8 W3 D5 L0
2019-20 P5 W1 D1 L3
2021-22 P11 W4 D3 L4
2022-23 P12 W4 D4 L4
2023-24 P16 W6 D5 L5
2024-25 P6 W3 D2 L1
Overall P79 W33 D25 L21
A very acceptable +12 score (57.6%). Initially we had to share Bernard with Coventry, but in more recent years he played exclusively for Kenilworth and so the match appearances increased markedly. But there is very much more to Bernard than chess, as he is a highly accomplished artist who had his own one man exhibition at Rugby Art Gallery in 2018 and something of an all-round independent and creative thinker and iconoclast who always had an interesting and wry take on any topic which came up at Thursday social chess nights. He has also been a big supporter of the Coventry Chess Academy. For those who need a reminder of his artistic vision (and I warn you - it can be quite disturbing! Think dystopia and multiply by a large number!!) why not revisit this review I posted of his Rugby exhibition.
Bernard has penned a few words of his own on his association with Kenilworth Chess Club and asked me to share them with everyone, so here is what he has written:-
Dear Kenilworth Club members, As some of you know, I’ve been in the process of moving home and that is now, all things being well, completing in a couple of weeks. While I will be nearer family with this move (Frome nestles in the pastoral climes of Somerset), there are many things I will miss and membership of Kenilworth Chess Club is one of them.
Apart from the great friendships made during my time as a member, I simply want to say a few words about those in the club who gave and or presently give of their time to allow players like myself enjoy the pleasure and (a bit too often) pain of having a chess scrap every one or two weeks. In this respect, without doubt, standing on a pedestal of honour should be Bernard (no no not me, the other one)) Rogers and Mark Page. I’ve always been impressed by their double act with Bernard R the ever resourceful backroom manager, especially securing our various hangouts on a Thursday, with Mark flying the flag upfront with a fine blend of wit, creativity (think blog) and all round leadership of the gang. It’s a dynamic duo that has seen a brilliant growth in membership and playing strength. The alchemy with that other bit of magic down the road, the Coventry Academy led by Paul (Lam), has added a phalanx of strong juniors battling on the club’s behalf as well.The roll of honour, of course, extends to those members who take on the, let’s face it, ongoing headache of team captain, subjecting themselves to recalcitrant late arrivers, non-turnerruppers, rebellious clocks, dubious claims and occasional, always good for gossip, fallouts. So thanks as well to those I have had the pleasure to know such as Mark, Josh, Ben and Harry.
I will be returning now and again to Coventry and if the stars align, drop in to a Thursday session. In the meantime, its farewell and best wishes to all!
Bernard Charnley
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