Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1954-2014 (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
6 large boxes (0.174 cubic metres)
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
The Welsh Chess Union was formed in 1954 from a Union of Associations in South Wales and Monmouthshire, and by 1961 the Union included chess associations from mid and north Wales. The aim of the Union was to encourage chess in Wales by assisting the formation of clubs and arranging tournaments such as the annual Congress. Until 1969 the Union was a constituent member of the British Chess Federation, and it was accepted as a member of the International Chess Federation (or F.I.D.E.) in 1970. The Union’s motto is ‘Bold in Attack, In Defence Secure’.
Archival history
The records were accumulated by the Welsh Chess Union.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Originally deposited by Mr Staveley at Glamorgan Archives in October 2017; transferred to NLW in January 2018; and by Owen Llywelyn, Lampeter; Donation, July 2024.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The archive comprises papers relating to the Welsh Chess Union and affiliated regional chess clubs, 1954-2014. The first group (2018 deposit) consists mainly of correspondence, minutes, and administrative records relating to chess in Wales, details of national and international tournaments, tournament participation, and papers relating to other chess associations both in Wales and overseas. The second group (2024 donation) comprises papers and memorabilia relating to the Welsh Chess Union and accumulated by the Welsh chess player Iolo Jones, including copies of the WCU magazine 'Y Ddraig', and reports and memorabilia from international Chess Olympiads.
The collection also originally contained four photographic albums which have been transferred for further conservation.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
All records have been retained aside from some duplicates which have been discarded.
Four photographic album books have been removed for further conservation.
Accruals
Accruals are expected.
System of arrangement
Arranged in two groups: Welsh Chess Union 2018 Deposit, and Iolo Jones Welsh Chess Union Papers. Some of the records arrived at the NLW in files which have been retained in the present catalogue. Others have been sorted and arranged at NLW.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to abide by the conditions set out in information provided when applying for their Readers' Tickets, whereby the reader shall become responsible for compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998 in relation to any processing by them of personal data obtained from modern records held at the Library.
Conditions governing reproduction
Usual copyright laws apply.
Language of material
- Afrikaans
- English
- French
- German
- Italian
- Spanish
- Welsh
Script of material
Language and script notes
English; also some Welsh, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Afrikaans
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Some papers are slightly affected by damp and rodent damage. Four photographic album books have been removed for further conservation.
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title based on contents of fonds.
Note
A number of documents containing sensitive personal information have been removed from the 2018 deposit, file A4/2.
Alternative identifier(s)
ALMA system control number
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Jones, T. Llew (Thomas Llew) (Subject)
- British Chess Federation (Subject)
- World Chess Federation (Subject)
- Welsh Ladies Chess Association (Subject)
- Commonwealth Chess Association (Subject)
- Sports Council for Wales (Subject)
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
This description follows NLW guidelines based on ISAD(G) Second Edition; AACR2; and LCSH.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
March 2018; August 2024.
Language(s)
- English
Script(s)
Sources
Archivist's note
Description compiled by Lucie Hobson. The following sources were used in the compilation of this record: contents of fonds; Golombek, Harry, the Encyclopaedia of Chess (London, 1977); Griffiths, Martin J., Chess in Wales (Olomouc, [2008]).