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David Firth, Club Chairman
Robert Mitchell, Co-Founder and Club Secretary
Brendan Briggs, Co-Founder and Club Treasurer
Chairman and Examiner League captain. David was taught to play chess by his father. He played for the school team, but then didn't play much apart from the odd online game. The opening of the club has sparked a new obsession in the game. Although in his heart he knows he will never be a Grand Master, it doesn't stop him dreaming of being one, one day...
Brendan Briggs, Co-Founder and Club Treasurer
Robert Mitchell, Co-Founder and Club Secretary
Brendan Briggs, Co-Founder and Club Treasurer
Brendan learnt to play chess at the age of 7 years old. One year later, he was beating his dad (who would regularly resign). This led to a 29 year hiatus from the game until he was reintroduced to the game by his father in law.
In 2023, he and Robert Mitchell started MaDD with a different philosophy fun, play and socialise.
Robert Mitchell, Co-Founder and Club Secretary
Robert Mitchell, Co-Founder and Club Secretary
Robert Mitchell, Co-Founder and Club Secretary
Since being taught by his dad as a child, Robert has dipped in and out of chess, but only joined a chess club in 2019. Since then, chess has become his main passion, especially since founding the club with his good friend Brendan in 2023
Tony Gilpin, Denby Dale Co-Founder
Tony Gilpin, Denby Dale Co-Founder
Robert Mitchell, Co-Founder and Club Secretary
I learned the chess moves from my uncle at aged 6 and started to play the game more seriously when I moved schools to Netherton Primary school aged 7. My school teacher and chess mentor was Mr John Newsome, whom I knew for over 40 years and i considered him a good friend.
I've played a lot of competitive chess, from club matches to Congres
I learned the chess moves from my uncle at aged 6 and started to play the game more seriously when I moved schools to Netherton Primary school aged 7. My school teacher and chess mentor was Mr John Newsome, whom I knew for over 40 years and i considered him a good friend.
I've played a lot of competitive chess, from club matches to Congress and online matches. I represented Wakefield schools and Yorkshire teams as a junior, and I've captained Yorkshire as an adult and a few years back.
My future, I believe, lies in giving back to chess in a form of promoting chess to juniors and novices and help grow and expand our wonderful game. I am also wanting to fulfil a promise that i made to Mr Newsome that I would carry what he had built in the Wakefield area.
Colin Dixon, Denby Dale Co-Founder
Tony Gilpin, Denby Dale Co-Founder
Colin Dixon, Denby Dale Co-Founder
Colin started playing chess at 14 years old and has been losing games ever since! 🤣. He considered retiring from chess when his dog started winning games against him 🐾🥱🤣.
Best achievement was coming joint first winning Hull chess congress in the 90s 👌
Since 2010 left playing chess to others and then got an idea to recontact Tony wh
Colin started playing chess at 14 years old and has been losing games ever since! 🤣. He considered retiring from chess when his dog started winning games against him 🐾🥱🤣.
Best achievement was coming joint first winning Hull chess congress in the 90s 👌
Since 2010 left playing chess to others and then got an idea to recontact Tony who he used to play alongside in the 90s at Netherton chess club.
Made contact and had a plan to restart a club in Mr Newsomes memory as he was the drive behind the chess club and sadly passed away in 2016.
The rest, as they say, is history and with Rob and others help we now have a new club that Mr Newsome would be proud of! ❤️🩹🙏🏻👌.
Philosophy on chess…
I endeavour to enjoy every game, regardless of the outcome, and like life, don’t take it too seriously 👍
Rob Oldfield, Events Secretary
Tony Gilpin, Denby Dale Co-Founder
Colin Dixon, Denby Dale Co-Founder
Like many members, Rob played for his school, then didn't play OTB for over 40 years till MaDD saved him from his malaise. Has surprisingly been appointed captain of the Yorkshire u1650 team even though like Mike Brearley, he's not quite good enough to play.
Got an idea for an event, then get in touch with Rob who can help make it happen.
Edd James, Membership Secretary
Tracy Oldfield, Events Coordinator
Edd James, Membership Secretary
Edd is a casual chess player who's started recently and loves the game’s mix of strategy and fun. MaDD's social, relaxed atmosphere makes it a great place to enjoy chess without the pressure—something he shares with his three children as they learn.
Gareth Williams, ECF Secretary
Tracy Oldfield, Events Coordinator
Edd James, Membership Secretary
I started playing chess in September 2023 when my son wanted to start playing. I thought it was time to try something new and I’m glad I did.
I was hooked immediately!
M.A.D.D. Chess Club has a great atmosphere and I really enjoy the club nights. I started playing rated matches in 2024 and hope to play many more matches and learn more abo
I started playing chess in September 2023 when my son wanted to start playing. I thought it was time to try something new and I’m glad I did.
I was hooked immediately!
M.A.D.D. Chess Club has a great atmosphere and I really enjoy the club nights. I started playing rated matches in 2024 and hope to play many more matches and learn more about this royal game.
There’s a lot to take in with chess but You’re never too old to learn….
Tracy Oldfield, Events Coordinator
Tracy Oldfield, Events Coordinator
Tracy Oldfield, Events Coordinator
When Rob said he was joining a new chess club, I thought "Oh nice, he'll get out, meet new people, have a hobby that isn't shouting at rugby on the telly..." I did not suspect that he would throw himself in so thoroughly, and drag me along for the ride.
I don't play chess. I learned the basics as a youngster but was always more into musi
When Rob said he was joining a new chess club, I thought "Oh nice, he'll get out, meet new people, have a hobby that isn't shouting at rugby on the telly..." I did not suspect that he would throw himself in so thoroughly, and drag me along for the ride.
I don't play chess. I learned the basics as a youngster but was always more into music, horses and videogaming. I've been co-opted into the club in a supporting role, including tech support, event organising and front of house, content editing, furniture shifting, taxiing, general sounding board and a foil for Robert M's jokes. I'm rarely seen at club nights but I do enjoy the occasional tapas at Vanilla Bean sessions.