English Chess Forum

After Rounds 5 & 6, Rounds 1 & 2 take place this weekend for the top divisions. No separate thread for Division One yet as discussion as usual has been mostly about Division Three(North). So a timely start to a new thread.

Yes, I don't know why this is the one which gets least attention of all, unless perhaps it is thought that CHESS and the traditional chess media already cover div 1 and that this forum is a space for the other divisions (which would be fair enough, I suppose).

Anyway, as per last year - and some comparison may be drawn because the two starting pools in div 1 are remarkably similar in terms of composition - all the action is in group B from where Sharks are hoping to pull off a remarkable result in qualifying for the championship pool. But they have all the other top teams to play, and must be wondering whether they might have done enough already. Possibly so, if Cheddleton lose to Midland Monarchs on Sunday - a big match for all three teams.

If it should happen that one or both of the March and May weekends has to be cancelled due to coronavirus, do the interim totals become the final standings?

Fair to say that nothing in the rules addresses it and I expect the board has not dared to think too closely about it yet! (Myself, I don't even know what the "right" answer would be, and if we just stuck with the results of the matches played, we might find ourselves reverting to complaints about some pools being stronger than others if promotion/relegation were thus decided. Although we might by then be complaining of other matters).

Jonathan Rogers wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 28, 2020 11:54 am

Possibly so, if Cheddleton lose to Midland Monarchs on Sunday - a big match for all three teams.

Who?

If a reschedule that could be another time. Some hospice gel will help.

I'm mindful of those whose partners passed away. Have a really good weekend.

Will anyone mention the Sharks who despite not having Ameet and numerous other players missing.... Scored 9 out of 10 in first 5 rounds.... Likely not

Will the Guardian publish my amazing board 4/5s performance and a brilliant Bh2 move yesterday against the English Women's champ... Likely not

Will they mention that same player scored an amazing draw with black v a 2600...

I wonder why this thread is here.

To quote Gladiator

Are you not entertained???? Is this not why you are here??

Well, very impressive indeed by Grantham. They would be the story of the season if only anyone were interested in writing any stories.

I have said enough about the lack of comment on 4NCL over recent years. I remain surprised that no one at all wants to claim the small fee from 4NCl for writing up after each weekend. I did not want to write anything about Barbican 2's win in division 2 last year - a win which might have seemed unsurprising to anyone who remembered our teams of ten years ago, but last year we were frequently outrated and even defaulted twice - because giving the details might have been vainglorious and tiring to others. Better to let someone else do it, I thought. But of course, no one else did.

Leonard does his best with 4NCL but he has limited space and it tends to be devoted to Guildford, who, incidentally, had their first individual loss of the season earlier than usual over the weekend. Yes, it was a French player. I wonder whether Roger has listed the individual losses since 2012/13, when their championship winning streak started, and looked at how many of them were suffered by French players?

Some recognition for those Sharks then!

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/ ... five-opens