English Chess Forum

Mick Norris wrote:I expect 3Cs 3 have withdrawn from the weekend, and that a triangular match will be needed between the other 3 teams

That's correct. Software difficulties only allowed me to delete but not to put in a triangular match!!

I'l

What are the chances of snow & or transport disruptions on Saturday morning?

Nick Grey wrote:What are the chances of snow & or transport disruptions on Saturday morning?

It's the North, we'll deal with it

Bolton (yes, I know, the hotel is in Blackrod) forecast for Saturday is about 4 or 5 degrees, with rain; Sunday with rain again but 7 or 8 degrees; we're expecting snow and ice tomorrow and Friday

At best it might make Winter hill & the west pennine moors into a grand backdrop Suspect it won't even manage that though, as its a bit warm/quite a lot sun forecast for Friday/Saturday.

Snow on the ground here in Harwood now, but yes might well have disappeared by Saturday afternoon in Blackrod

Nothing in Evesham if we get it here it's everywhere.

I called in this afternoon and it looks a reasonably decent set up, albeit not the biggest room

Good to see everyone managed to get there, and still amazing to me to see 4 Manticores teams playing; we have come a long way in a few years

Mick Norris wrote:albeit not the biggest room

It is more the shape than the size! Weird ins and outs and 4 random columns made it difficult to get the matches in a line.

Almost an hour spent this morning rearranging tables to fit.

A better shape than last week's playing hall though.

That's a truly serious Manchester first team too. Hold it around that strength and promotion should be at least a good shot.

Although I see that Manx have doubled down on their three titled players from last time out. Only 3/4 from their titled players boards vs Gonzaga though, so given Gonzaga's considerable strength in depth they might get another 3-3.

MartinCarpenter wrote:given Gonzaga's considerable strength in depth they might get another 3-3.

http://www.4nclresults.co.uk/2016-17/4ncl/3/3n/export/

MartinCarpenter wrote:That's a truly serious Manchester first team too. Hold it around that strength and promotion should be at least a good shot

Nearly the best team we can field, so we will see; now the only team with a 100% record thanks in part to our 4th team's result today (pity about the 2nd and 3rd team); given that Enniscorthy are 3 - 0 down at half-time in 1 of their triangular matches this weekend

The pairings for weekend 3 will be interesting


P W D L GP Pts
Manchester Manticores 1 3 3 0 0 15 6
Hounds and Bears 3 2 1 0 12 5
Manx Liberty 3 2 1 0 11 5
Cheddleton 2 3 2 1 0 10½ 5
Gonzaga 3 2 0 1 13 4
Enniscorthy 2 2 0 0 7½ 4
Manchester Manticores 4 3 1 1 1 9 3
3Cs 2 3 1 1 1 9 3
Ashfield Breadsall 2 3 1 1 1 8½ 3
Spirit of Atticus B 3 1 1 1 7½ 3
Holmes Chapel 3 1 0 2 8 2
Ashfield Breadsall 1 3 1 0 2 7½ 2
Manchester Manticores 3 3 1 0 2 6½ 2
Bradford DCA Knights B 2 1 0 1 6 2
Jorvik 2 0 1 1 4 1
Manchester Manticores 2 3 0 0 3 6½ 0
Bradford DCA Knights C 3 0 0 3 5½ 0
3Cs 3 2 0 0 2 3 0

I assume there's a good reason why Roger Edwards is on board 1 for Cheddleton 2 today

Interesting match ups again today

Mick Norris wrote:I assume there's a good reason why Roger Edwards is on board 1 for Cheddleton 2 today

Late substitute for ill player.

Gently striking the next time someone wonders about 3N being an easy promotion route (as I vaguely did pre season!). This weekend there were 3 teams averaging 2170 and up over 6 boards(!). Basically 100 pts/board above anyone I can see in 3S.

Someone is going to end the year disappointed, although you can't imagine there being enough teams to keep teams that strong down in Div3 for any extended period of time.

MartinCarpenter wrote:Gently striking the next time someone wonders about 3N being an easy promotion route

If you are a brand new team, you have to enter Division 4 or Division 3N. From that viewpoint, if geography is relatively unimportant, 3N is the easier option.

In Div 3S every team is essentially 6*2050 or equivalent.