Monday, 6th April 2026
Phill Beckett
The title ICCF International Master awarded to player Michael J. Blake with ICCF ID 210717 has now been confirmed by the ICCF Qualifications Commissioner. Congratulations.
Monday, 30th March 2026
Phill Beckett
The title ICCF Correspondence Chess Expert awarded to player Daniel Courtney with ICCF ID 213386 has now been confirmed by the ICCF Qualifications Commissioner. Congratulations.
Tuesday, 10th March 2026
Phill Beckett
The title ICCF Correspondence Chess Master awarded to player Joseph Beech with ICCF ID 213377 has now been confirmed by the ICCF Qualifications Commissioner. Congratulations.
Sunday, 1st March 2026
Phill Beckett
The title ICCF Correspondence Chess Master awarded to player Geoff Knapton with ICCF ID 212357 has now been confirmed by the ICCF Qualifications Commissioner. Congratulations.
World Championship
Friday, 27th February 2026
Phill Beckett
We wish all our players good luck in the world preliminaries.
Les Ellis in section one - Cross Table (iccf.com)
Keith Kitson in section four - Cross Table (iccf.com)
Valerie Craven in section eight - Cross Table (iccf.com)
Robert Różański in section nine - Cross Table (iccf.com)
Alan Rawlings in section fourteen - Cross Table (iccf.com)
Jim Nierobisz in section sixteen - Cross Table (iccf.com)
Welsh Invitational Event
Friday, 27th February 2026
Phill Beckett
We wish Les Ellis good luck in this strong (category 11) - Cross Table (iccf.com)
Tuesday, 24th February 2026
Peter Rice
Our AGM and Executive Committee meeting will be held on Saturday 28th March, 2026 on Zoom.
If any eligible EFCC members have anything that they would like discussed at our meeting, please email Peter here
by 14th March, 2026 at the latest.
Peter Rice, General Secretary
ENGLISH FEDERATION FOR CORRESPONDENCE CHESS
Agenda for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on Saturday 28th March 2026, at 1300hrs. by Zoom only.
1. Apologies for Absence
2. Minutes of the Last Meeting (22nd March 2025)
3. Matters Arising
4. General Secretary’s Report (Peter)
5. International Secretary’s Report (Phill)
6. Treasurer’s Report (Ian P)
7. Proposals for amendments to the EFCC Constitution (Ian P.)
8. Election of Officers: -
President
Deputy President
General Secretary
International Secretary
Treasurer
9. Appointment of Auditor (Keith)
10. Any Other Business
11. Date of Next Meeting
Keith Kitson - 13th February 2026
Monday, 16th February 2026
Phill Beckett
The title ICCF Senior International Master awarded to player Stephen Hooker with ICCF ID 213068 has now been confirmed by the ICCF Qualifications Commissioner. Congratulations.
Monday, 9th February 2026
Phill Beckett
The title ICCF Senior International Master awarded to player Brian Thompson with ICCF ID 210854 has now been confirmed by the ICCF Qualifications Commissioner. Congratulations.
Wednesday, 4th February 2026
Phill Beckett
The title ICCF Correspondence Chess Master awarded to player Jonathan Curry-Machado with ICCF ID 213237 has now been confirmed by the ICCF Qualifications Commissioner. Congratulations.
5th English Veterans' Correspondence Chess Championship
Updated Sunday, 1st February 2026
Keith Kitson
| Current 5th English Veterans' Correspondence Chess Championship Entrants List |
| Name |
ICCF |
Title |
| McMahon, Frank |
211460 |
|
| Vivante-Sowter, John |
210953 |
SIM |
| Beckett, Phillip J |
210454 |
|
| Ellis, Les |
211229 |
GM |
| Marchant, Arnold |
210690 |
CCM |
| Hipwell, Colin |
212063 |
|
| Sutton, Alan B |
210709 |
CCE |
| Roberts, Anthony A |
211118 |
CCM |
| Kitson, Keith |
210569 |
SIM |
| Nierobitz, Jim |
211586 |
IM |
| Norman, Nigel |
210619 |
CCM |
| Rawlings, Alan J C |
210745 |
SIM |
| Knapton, Geoff |
212357 |
CCE |
| Gardner, Eric P |
212406 |
|
| Franks, Keith |
211552 |
CCE |
| Perrin, Richard D |
211280 |
CCM |
| Grobler, David J |
210847 |
CCM |
| Hardwick, Martin E |
620648 |
|
| Batchelor, Paul A |
211958 |
CCM |
| Brotherton, Trevor S |
210823 |
CCM |
Above are the current entries for the 5th EVCCC tournament, so far.
A big thank you to all who have registered early for this tournament.
Calling all seasoned players (ie those players over 60 years of age).
Please do not leave it too late to register.
Entries should be received by 1st February 2026 with a fee of £13.00 by cheque or online at the EFCC website.
Entries may be made by PayPal through this website quoting “5th EVCCC”.
Registration fees paid by cheque should be sent to the EFCC Treasurer at the address below:
Mr Ian M Pheby
Oaklea Cottage
Horsham Road
Capel
Dorking
Surrey
RH5 5JH
Tournament Organiser: Keith Kitson, for and on behalf of the EFCC.
Sunday, 1st February 2026
Phill Beckett
The title ICCF Senior International Master awarded to player Robert Różański with ICCF ID 421439 has now been confirmed by the ICCF Qualifications Commissioner. Congratulations.
Tuesday, 27th January 2026
Phill Beckett
The title ICCF Correspondence Chess Expert awarded to player Igor Chychekov with ICCF ID 213308 has now been confirmed by the ICCF Qualifications Commissioner. Congratulations.
Saturday, 24th January 2026
Phill Beckett
The title ICCF Correspondence Chess Expert awarded to player Sean Clark has now been confirmed by the ICCF Qualifications Commissioner. Congratulations.
Monday, 19th January 2026
Phill Beckett
The title ICCF International Master awarded to player Stephen Hooker with ICCF ID 213068 has now been confirmed by the ICCF Qualifications Commissioner. Congratulations.
New EC Member
Monday, 5th January 2026
Keith Kitson
I am pleased to announce that Matthew Bailey has joined the EFCC Executive Committee. Matthew will be a useful addition to the Executive Committee, and I wish him well in his work for the EFCC. Welcome Matt!
Keith Kitson
EFCC President
Wednesday, 31st December 2025
Phill Beckett
The title ICCF Correspondence Chess Master awarded to player Daniel Broomfield with ICCF ID 213376 has now been confirmed by the ICCF Qualifications Commissioner. Congratulations.
Tuesday, 16th December 2025
Phill Beckett
The title ICCF Correspondence Chess Expert awarded to player Joseph Beech with ICCF ID 213377 has now been confirmed by the ICCF Qualifications Commissioner. Congratulations.
Seasons Greetings!
Monday, 15th December 2025
Keith Kitson
As the 2025 festive season rapidly approaches, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to all of England’s players and their families for a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, and Peaceful New Year. I hope that 2026 will prove to be a better year for everyone. I also hope that you enjoy success in your games in 2026 and beyond.
Warm regards,
Keith Kitson
EFCC President
Friday, 5th December 2025
Phill Beckett
Congratulations to the following players on their selection;
Catergory 7 event
421439 IM Różański, Robert (2431)
517775 SIM Deakin, Christopher (2433)
Catergory 6 event
210332 CCM Wilkinson, James P. (2386)
210605 CCM Craven, Valerie (2390)
Catergory 1 event
212116 CCM Spanton, Tim (2330)
Sunday, 23rd November 2025
Phill Beckett
The title ICCF Correspondence Chess Expert awarded to player Martin Fleury with ICCF ID 211147 has now been confirmed by the ICCF Qualifications Commissioner. Congratulations.
Monday, 17th November 2025
EFCC Executive Committee
Second England International Triple Block Open
The English Federation for Correspondence Chess (EFCC) is pleased to announce the Second England International Triple Block Open.
Registered players will be grouped by rating using the ICCF 2026/2 rating list. Players will be placed in groups of 11, 13, or 15 players in rating order so that all group members have as similar a rating as possible.
Time Control
The event will be played in one stage on the ICCF server with each group being played using the Triple Block time control with a tournament duration of 350 days. No guaranteed time will be available after move 50.
All groups will be rated. Norms for ICCF titles will be available in all groups that meet the criteria required by the ICCF.
Entry
All entries may be made by Direct Entry (go to ‘New events’ ‘England’) or through a player’s National Federation.
The entry fee is 14.00 Euros by Direct Entry for each entry. Alternatively, you may enter through ‘Online Fee Payment’ down the left-side of this webpage quoting ‘Triple Block’. The entry fee through the EFCC website is £12.50 for each entry. If you wish to pay by cheque then make the cheque payable to EFCC for £12.50 and send it to Mr Ian M Pheby, Oaklea Cottage, Horsham Road, Capel, Dorking, Surrey RH5 5JH.
Each player may enter a maximum of two groups. Players making a second entry will be placed in the group immediately after their first group. Entries are not permitted by email.
The closing date for entries is 18th March 2026. Pairings will be issued as soon as possible after that date. The official start date is 18th April 2026.
Prizes
No prize money is being offered. Certificates for the top three players in each group will be available subject to those players obtaining a positive score. The tiebreaker system for tied players will be: 1. Baumbach; 2. Sonneborn-Berger; 3. the results of the players tied with each other; 4. the lowest rating of the tied players in the group at the start of the tournament.
All chess players are heartily invited to enter this event, both for the enjoyment of games and for friendly contact/communication with players around the world.
Amici sumus.
SIM Keith Kitson, EFCC President
SIM Ian M. Pheby, IA, Tournament Organiser
Phillip J. Beckett, IA, England Delegate
Monday, 17th November 2025
Phill Beckett
The title ICCF International Grandmaster awarded to player Les Ellis with ICCF ID 211229 has now been confirmed by the ICCF Qualifications Commissioner. Congratulations.
Tuesday, 11th November 2025
Executive Committee
Important Update Regarding the Future of the Tournament
The Executive Committee of the EFCC wishes to inform all members and participants of an important decision regarding the EFCC Medals Tournament. Owing to a significant reduction in the number of entries for the 2025 season, the Committee has carefully reviewed the level of support and engagement for the event.
After thorough consideration, it has been determined that there is insufficient support to justify the continued running of the medals tournament in its current form. As a result, the 2025 presentation will be the final occasion on which this tournament is held.
The EFCC would like to express its sincere gratitude to all players, organisers, and supporters who have contributed to the tournament over the years. Your commitment and enthusiasm have been greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support of EFCC activities.
Monday, 10th November 2025
Keith Kitson
The English Federation for Correspondence Chess (EFCC) is pleased to announce the fifth EVCCC will commence on 5th March 2026. Registration is now open, only to those players who:
1. are aged 60 years or over on the date the tournament starts and
2. are registered or able (in the case of new players) to be registered to play under the England flag in the ICCF.
The full Rules, tournament structure, eligibility, prizes etc. can be seen under "English Veterans CC Championship (EVCCC)" on the EFCC website here : EVCCC Webpage.
Entries should be received by 1st February 2026 with a fee of £13.00 by cheque or online at the EFCC website. Entries may be made by PayPal through this website quoting “5th EVCCC”.
The adjudication date shall be 31st December of the 2nd year of play, which allows approximately 21½ months of playing time.
Tournament Organiser: Keith Kitson
Registration fees paid by cheque should be sent to the EFCC Treasurer at the address below:
Mr Ian M Pheby
Oaklea Cottage
Horsham Road
Capel
Dorking
Surrey
RH5 5JH
Tuesday, 4th November 2025
Phill Beckett
The title ICCF Correspondence Chess Expert awarded to player Geoff Knapton with ICCF ID 212357 has now been confirmed by the ICCF Qualifications Commissioner. Congratulations.
Thursday, 30th October 2025
Phill Beckett
The player Harold Baxter with ICCF ID 213221 has achieved enough norms to receive the title of ICCF Correspondence Chess Master. Congratulations.
Friday, 17th October 2025
Ian Pheby
Andrew Dearnley †
It is with considerable sadness that I must report the very sad and untimely death of Andrew Dearnley. He was 61.
Andrew’s contribution to correspondence chess was enormous. He was the EFCC President in 2016 but stood down due to ill health. He was England’s International Secretary from 2008 to 2017 and again in 2019. He was also a member of several of England’s sub-committees.
Andrew also carried out a considerable amount of work for the ICCF where he was Marketing Director from 2013 to 2017, and was also Non-Title Tournament Commissioner from 2011 to 2013. He introduced the ICCF Aspirers events to the ICCF calendar which are extremely popular.
Andrew obtained the International Master title and the Senior International Master title in 2014, and the International Arbiter title in 2010.
Andrew was a Life Patron of the EFCC. He was awarded the ICCF Bertl von-Massow medal in Silver in 2016.
England will hold a Memorial tournament for Andrew which is likely to start in 2026.
Andrew leaves a wife, two children and two grandchildren. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends at this time.
RIP Andrew.
Ian M Pheby
EFCC Past President
Christopher C W Shepard
Sunday, 28th September 2025
Phill Beckett
The tribute to Chris prepared by the Sheffield and district chess Archivist Steve Mann can now be seen at - https://mannchess.org.uk/SNotices/2025-09-16ChrisShephard.htm
Match v Scotland
Sunday, 21st September 2025
Phill Beckett
We are now playing our friends from Scotland in a small friendly - Cross Table (iccf.com)
Thursday, 11th September 2025
Peter Rice
Our next Executive Committee meeting will be held on Saturday 11th October, 2025 in Royston, Hertfordshire.
If any eligible EFCC members have anything that they would like discussed at our meeting, please email Peter here
by 27th September, 2025 at the latest.
Peter Rice, General Secretary
Wednesday, 10th September 2025
Phill Beckett
The title ICCF Correspondence Chess Master awarded to player Dene Shaw with ICCF ID 213090 has now been confirmed by the ICCF Qualifications Commissioner. Congratulations.
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