ECF U13 & U18 County Championships

[Michael Flatt]

Is there any news on this competition?

I can't find it in the ECF 2014 Calendar.

[Ray Sayers]

I don't even know who is hosting it this year.

I know Herts hosted it last year at the end of June and did a wonderful job.

And that is the sum total of my knowledge!

[LawrenceCooper]

Regrettably, the county that was announced as hosts at the 2013 event has dropped out so we are now looking at alternatives.

[Michael Flatt]

Sorry, to hear this unexpected news.

I hope that another county will be able to step in an organize something. It is a very popular junior competition.

[Julian Clissold]

"Regrettably, the county that was announced as hosts at the 2013 event has dropped out so we are now looking at alternatives."
Loz is quite right to advise that the County (Manchester) that originally offered to run the Under 13 & 18 decided to withdraw the offer (not drop out). What he might have helpfully added is that they withdrew their offer last October in the light of the events that they were running for ECF, notably the Girls final which Manchester ran in Nottingham (30th November), and the National Schools Under 11 (Bolton, Newcastle, Oxford and London with a final still to come in Uppingham) for which Manchester has had oversight.
It is also worth noting that when Manchester was agreed as a venue for the Under 18 & 13 I was advised that several counties south of Hertfordshire thought it was too far to travel and offered to run it themselves.
Manchester is still happy to play a role. If another county will offer venue and equipment and undertake the entry procedures, I will control and arbit the event.

[Michael Flatt]

Julian,

Thanks for giving the background, of which I was previously unaware.

I too would be willing to assist if another county (in the Midlands, perhaps?) would like to find a venue.

Time is short!

[Jim Wadsworth]

Delighted to announce that Neill Cooper and Wilson's School (Wallington, Surrey) have volunteered to host what will be an U18 event on Sunday 29 June 2014.

Further details will be provided in due course, but key points for now:
- 12 board U18 Open event plus a 6 board U18 Minor event
- 2 rounds
- 11am start
- all games will be graded and players must be at least Bronze members

Regrettably, due to various constraints there will not be an U13 competition this year - though of course U13s can play for their county's U18 Open or Minor team. I am confident that U13 will return in 2015; and I am pleased to say that we do have a host organiser in place for 2015's event. (That said expressions of interest for 2016 and beyond most welcome!).

My thanks, and those of the ECF's Junior Directorate, to Neill and to Wilson's. Neill is a fabulous advocate and organiser of chess for secondary age juniors, and his support is much appreciated.

Pending publication of the entry form and for further information on the event please PM me or email via [email protected].

[Jim Wadsworth]

Entry form & event rules now available...

[Jim Wadsworth]

Typo corrected in the rules. Apologies for my error and thanks to Herts for pointing it out (and for being the first county to enter!)

[Jim Wadsworth]

Thanks also to Surrey who have entered 2 teams into the Open and 3 into the Minor.

Just a reminder to all county team organisers that there is just under a month to submit entries and still benefit from the discounted entry fee!

[Jim Wadsworth]

I am pleased to say that we do have a host organiser in place for 2015's event.

Things have changed. I now have a host organiser in place for 2016 but not 2015! Expressions of interest for 2015 most welcome. Please PM me or email via [email protected].

[IM Jack Rudd]

What would the requirements for a venue be?

[Jim Wadsworth]

thanks to Kent for their entries. Now up to four teams in the Open and five in the Minor. Please keep them coming!

[Jim Wadsworth]

Latest status re entries provided below. A number more have been promised and are expected soon - a reminder to team managers that entries received after 8 June will attract an additional entry fee of £10 per team.

County Open Minor
Berkshire 1 0
Hertfordshire 1 0
Kent 1 2
Surrey 2 3
Sussex 1 2

Total 6 7

[Jim Wadsworth]

A reminder that:

Expressions of interest for 2015 most welcome. Please PM me or email via [email protected].