The WECU was officially established on 1st July 1957, following extensive discussions among the western counties, which had previously been part of the Southern Counties Chess Union (SCCU).
The founding counties included Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire, all of which had been affiliated with the SCCU for over 50 years.
Prior attempts to create a western chess body occurred in 1865 and 1907 but were unsuccessful. The idea gained traction again post-World War II, leading to the formation of the West of England Chess Association (WECA) in 1947.
The WECA initiated the West of England Competition (WoE) in 1949-50, allowing for larger matches and greater representation of western players. This competition evolved into the Cotswold Cup and later the Harold Meek Trophy, named in honour of a respected figure in chess administration. The introduction of these competitions demonstrated the strength of the western counties, as they began to achieve significant victories in various tournaments.
In 1948, discussions arose about the WECA potentially seceding from the SCCU to affiliate directly with the then British Chess Federation (BCF), which created tension between the organisations. The SCCU sought to maintain unity while addressing the BCF's proposals, leading to a compromise that allowed some autonomy for the western counties. Despite initial hesitations regarding the formation of a separate union, the decision to establish the WECU was ultimately made in 1956.
The establishment of the WECU allowed the western counties to participate directly in the BCF County Championships, restructuring the competition to accommodate the new union. The WECU's entry into the BCF led to significant changes in the competition format, allowing for more teams to participate and enhancing the visibility of western chess. The WECU's formation marked a significant shift in the chess landscape, enabling the western counties to assert their strength and identity within the broader chess community.
