The Woodbury Chess Club has a long and remarkable history. This collection of newspaper articles, photographs, letters, and other historical documents offers a look into the people, events, and traditions that have shaped our club over the years. Together, these records help tell the story of a club that has met at the First Presbyterian Church since 1942 and whose documented history extends back to at least 1933.
As new records continue to surface, our understanding of our past continues to grow. We hope you enjoy exploring these snapshots from our history and the stories they tell.
July 2007 – Ancient Game Forever New for Woodbury Chess Club
Although this clipping is not dated, references to the U.S. Open Chess Championship in Cherry Hill identify it as having been published in July 2007. The article highlights the Woodbury Chess Club's longstanding presence at the First Presbyterian Church and explores the enduring appeal of chess through the experiences of club members Anthony Conte, Chuck Gant, Edmund Chong, and Bill O'Donnell. It also discusses the club's tournament activity and reflects on how chess and club membership had evolved over time.
The accompanying photograph features Bill O'Donnell (left) and Cliff Batezel (right) analyzing a position during a club meeting. Cliff remains an active member today and served as club president for 22 years, helping guide the club through an important chapter in its modern history before passing the torch in 2026. Together, the article and photograph provide a valuable snapshot of the club and its members during the early 2000s.
1990s – Casually Obsessed, Pawn Pals Celebrate Woodbury Club’s 50th
This Philadelphia Inquirer article offers a glimpse into the Woodbury Chess Club during the 1990s. At the time, the club's history was commonly traced to the early 1940s, and the article refers to a "50th" anniversary celebration. Subsequent research and historical records have since pushed the club's documented origins even further back, making this article an interesting record of how the club's history was understood when it was written. Today, it remains an important part of our vintage archives.
October 7, 1985 – The Right Move
This Gloucester County Times photograph features Herb Wright contemplating a position during a Woodbury Chess Club tournament held at the Woodbury Presbyterian Church. The accompanying caption notes that the event continued later that month, reflecting the club’s active tournament scene during the 1980s.
Herb Wright was a longtime member of the Woodbury Chess Club and served as club president for many years, helping guide the organization through an important period of its history. This photograph preserves a moment from his years of involvement with the club and serves as a reminder of the members who helped build and sustain Woodbury chess over the decades.
December 1976 – The War Between Kings
This feature from the Gloucester County Times provides a fascinating glimpse into the Woodbury Chess Club nearly 50 years ago. The article highlights the club’s weekly gatherings, competitive spirit, and the concentration and strategy that defined club play. Of particular historical significance is the article’s note that the club had already been meeting at Woodbury’s First Presbyterian Church for 34 years, highlighting the longstanding relationship between the club and the church.
The accompanying photographs and captions feature club members Charles Devlin, Dan Smith, and George Leonard. Of special interest is the photograph on the right, which features George, a longtime member who remains active with the club today. Having recently celebrated his 50th anniversary as a club member, George provides a direct connection between this article and the club as it exists today.
December 30, 1966 – Letter Confirming Longstanding Club Activity at First Presbyterian Church
This December 30, 1966 letter from Woodbury Chess Club Treasurer John R. Worrall to the Woodbury Presbyterian Church provides a valuable look into the club’s history and its long relationship with one of its most important meeting places. In thanking the church for the use of its facilities, Worrall notes that he had been a member of the club for twenty years and that the club had met at the church throughout that entire period. This correspondence serves as an important historical record, documenting the club’s active presence in Woodbury and its established connection to First Presbyterian Church by the mid-1960s.
April 19, 1956 – Woodbury Team Wins South Jersey Championship
This newspaper article documents one of the Woodbury Chess Club’s notable competitive successes, reporting that the Woodbury team captured the South Jersey Chess Association "A" League Championship. Team competition remains a part of the club today, with Woodbury continuing to field teams in regional events such as the U.S. Amateur Team East Championship. This article provides a look at an earlier generation of players who helped establish that tradition.
Several Woodbury players are highlighted for their contributions, including Cake, Archer, Wood, Montague, and O'Donnell, while the individual standings show multiple Woodbury players among the league’s top performers.
As an early record of the club’s tournament success, this article provides valuable insight into the strength of Woodbury’s teams and their prominent role in South Jersey chess during the 1950s.
October 18, 1933 – Formation of the Gloucester County Chess Association
This newspaper clipping documents a significant moment in local chess history: the formation of the Gloucester County Chess Association by members of the Woodbury and Westville chess clubs. According to the article, more than 25 members joined the new organization, which planned to meet Monday evenings at the Woodbury YMCA and immediately began organizing team competition.
The article lists the association's first officers and announces a team selected to represent the organization in an upcoming match against Palmyra. The Woodbury Historical Society has validated this clipping as having been published on October 18, 1933, making it one of the earliest known records connected to organized chess activity involving the Woodbury Chess Club. As such, it provides important evidence of the club's deep roots and is a cornerstone of our historical archives.