The Buckinghamshire Individual Championship started over fifty years ago - the list of winners goes back to 1978.

Fred Day - formerly long-standing organiser of the Bucks Individual Competition

For much of that time Fred Day, a stalwart of Buckinghamshire chess in many and varied roles, was the controller of this competition and it was subsequentally decided to name the contest in his honour.

The championship originally consisted of a number of small (6-10) all-play-all divisions, ordered by grade. In addition to modest prize money, the winner could elect to play top board at county matches! At it's peak there were at least four divisions but, in common with many other counties, interest has declined in this kind of competition and in the 2025-26 season it was decided to award the trophy to the highest placed Bucks qualified player at the Bourne End One Day Congress.

That player has custody of the cup for one year and their name will be engraved for posterity. There is no monetary prize. On other hand there is no entry form or entry fee other than that associated with the congress.

Buckinghamshire qualification is by any of:

  • Representing the county team in the Chiltern League during the current season
  • Current membership of a club affiliated to the Buckinghamshire County Chess Association
  • Individual membership of the BCCA