Your County Needs You! 2023/2024 County Season

[Stephen Westmoreland]

The County season is upon us once more. As per previous seasons, Yorkshire are entering teams in the u1450s, u1650s, u1850s, u2050s and Open team. A top two finish is needed to get into the national stages.

● U1450s Vs Manchester.
Captain: Steve Westmoreland
●U1650s Vs Northumberland and Manchester.
Captain: Jacob Smith
●U1850s Vs Merseyside, Manchester and Cumbria.
Captain: Rupert Jones
●U2050s Vs Manchester and Cleveland.
Captain: Andy Wainwright
●Open Vs Manchester and Northumberland.
Captain: Randy Donahue

We are now looking to raise teams for the season, with the first match expected to be in November. The 1850s and Open team will be playing at Swinton vs Greater Manchester, with the rest of the teams hosting Manchester (venue and date TBC but it will be November).

Anyone who wants to play for the County, please contact [email protected]. For the u1450s please contact me direct as well at [email protected].

Please note it is your grading as of the start of September. For example, if on the 1st September your grade was 1449, then you can play the u1450s and above. If 1452 then it would be the u1650s and above.

The county chess experience is fantastic. I look forward to meeting you during the coming season

[Peter Ackley]

Just to echo what Stephen has said I've played county chess for over 20 years and not only is it a good opportunity to play opponents of a similar strength who you may never have played before but it's also a good opportunity to play longer, single game a day, time limits at a fraction of the cost (and time commitment) of 4NCL and congresses.

Yorkshire has a strong history in all aspects of county chess and it would be good to see this continuing under (in some teams) new captaincy.

[MartinCarpenter]

It's excellent, especially now we've got a proper local competition Hopefully we'll have Lancashire back soon.

[Andrew Wainwright]

We smashed the NCCU stages last season (with the exception of the Open Team, who narrowly failed to advance).

4 teams made the national stages
2 made the Finals
1 Yorkshire team were crowned national champions (u1650s)

Will be hard to beat this season, but we will try!!!

[Stephen Westmoreland]

It's excellent, especially now we've got a proper local competition Hopefully we'll have Lancashire back soon.

Absolutely. Friendly bunch that I enjoyed playing against. Great venue at Bury.

[Stephen Westmoreland]

The match vs Greater Manchester for the u1450s, u1650s and u2050s at home, is planned for Sunday 12th Nov. Venue is TBC (to host 72 players) and we are looking at either Dewsbury or Sheffield.

[Stephen Westmoreland]

A huge shout out and thanks to Jonathan Arnott and the Sheffield Chess Centre for hosting Yorkshire and Greater Manchester u2050s, u1650s and u1450s on the 12th Nov, with a 1pm start. 72 players to meet and do battle.

[Stephen Westmoreland]

Please that Yorkshire are returning to the Stumble Inn at Holmfirth for the u1850s match. Food to be provided by Diane and Ian. Holmfirth is getting to be a regular venue these days. Also in walking distance!

[Stephen Westmoreland]

The final game of the NCCU County Championship for the Yorkshire u1850s is today at the Stumble Inn, Holmfirth. We host Merseyside and play will commence at 1.15. Food provided by Diane for the players.

Unless I am playing last minute, scores will be updated live and can be found: https://ecflms.org.uk/lms/league_fixture/198801.

[Stephen Westmoreland]

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[Alex McFarlane]

Arrrrrgh! Clocks facing the wall. How is an arbiter/captain supposed to call flag fall?

[Stephen Westmoreland]

Arrrrrgh! Clocks facing the wall. How is an arbiter/captain supposed to call flag fall?

Separate clock for each facing the wall? Mirrors?

I set it up last night and there will be some twisting and turning shortly, when the toss is done.

[Roger de Coverly]

Arrrrrgh! Clocks facing the wall. How is an arbiter/captain supposed to call flag fall?

When the 4NCL was at the Birmingham Grand, the room was set out such that boards 1 and 3 were on the same table, then 2 and 4 etc. All clocks with their backs to the wall.

[Stephen Westmoreland]

Tight match and 7-5 to Yorkshire in the end. Great to host Merseyside and a huge thanks to the Stumble Inn for an excellent spread.