4ncl 2022-23

[A.Kluckova]

Well we scrambled over the line in a big relegation clash. The shock post-game revelation being that had white (for our opponents on board 5) played 30.Qg6 then black was fully intending to resign!

And what was happened on board 3 ? I watched on Lichess and Lichess chess analyse shows, that your opponent was better from the move 1 till the end of game, even +1,3 the last move. And finally draw ? l was surprised, because today's win would mean for him IM norm. He played 7 games until now, faced 4 GM , 1IM a 2 untitled and no one lost, Rp aprox.2425-2430. Today's win would meaned just one draw more from the next 2 rounds for IM norm. It was shocked that +1,3 and draw...

[Richard Bates]

Well we scrambled over the line in a big relegation clash. The shock post-game revelation being that had white (for our opponents on board 5) played 30.Qg6 then black was fully intending to resign!

And what was happened on board 3 ? I watched on Lichess and Lichess chess analyse shows, that your opponent was better from the move 1 till the end of game, even +1,3 the last move. And finally draw ? l was surprised, because today's win would mean for him IM norm. He played 7 games until now, faced 4 GM , 1IM a 2 untitled and no one lost, Rp aprox.2425-2430. Today's win would meaned just one draw more from the next 2 rounds for IM norm. It was shocked that +1,3 and draw...

Jedi mind tricks.

[John Upham]

Has everyone seen this on the 4NCL web site:

4NCL Season 2023-2024: Expressions of Interest



As many of you will know, we’ve had some difficulty finding venues for next season, and as a consequence are likely to have to limit the number of teams we can accept. That said, we (and also our venue-finders Guaranteed Events, who need to commit to bedroom allocations when signing contracts with hotels and are on the hook financially for any shortfall in bedroom take-up) would like some comfort that we’re likely to fill the full quota of 64 teams.



The reason for asking the question is that of course in the normal scheme of things we would expect that at least 64 teams will enter out of the 2022-2023 season total of 83 teams. But we expect entry fees to have to increase (we’re hoping to keep them within the range of £475-500 for Divs 1 and 2 and £350-375 for Div 3), and we’re slightly nervous that that may put off some teams from entering – while noting that this still comes in at around £5.50 per game, so still in line with most weekend congresses.



We’ve accordingly set up an ‘Expression of Interest 23-24’ form, and I should be grateful if you would please complete it no later than Friday 5 May.



The reason for haste is twofold:

the hotels will likely only hold the dates we have for at most another two weeks without signed contracts; and

there’s always the risk that the hotels may receive other enquiries willing to pay more than we do.

We’re asking you to complete the form on a ‘no limitation on team numbers’ basis, on the assumption that if we get more than 64 expressions of interest on that basis then at least 64 will enter even if the numbers we can accept are limited. We understand that some combined squads may decide not to play at all rather than play on a reduced team numbers basis – but this survey was never going to be a precise science.



You can find the link to the form below. Many thanks in advance for your help.

[Roger de Coverly]

as a consequence are likely to have to limit the number of teams we can accept.

.........

in the normal scheme of things we would expect that at least 64 teams will enter out of the 2022-2023 season total of 83 teams.

Which is going to mean that 19 or perhaps 18 of the teams in division 4 will be culled. It will be reduced to the extent teams in existing divisions 1, 2 and 3 decline to re-enter.

[Joey Stewart]

I feel like they should offer the remaining teams the chance to have an increased number of registered players since this will displace a large number number of potential recruits that will likely still want the opportunity to play in other teams.

[Nick Ivell]

Final day. This was always the one I disliked.

Early start; and I doubt I was the only person with a woozy head.

Then there was having to check out, with that weird feeling of homelessness you get when you're dragging a case around.

Then a game of chess, then travel. Another chess weekend over!

[Jonathan Rogers]

Amused to see four draws already in Manx v Sharks ... but all four on the boards where Manx had Black! Good luck to the remaining Sharks ...

[Nick Ivell]

I doubt Shirov will be giving a draw away easily.

To me, he always seems in a different league to the rest.

[IM Jack Rudd]

Well, that was a season in which I played some games of chess.

[Nick Ivell]

It's tough being on top board!

[LawrenceCooper]

I doubt Shirov will be giving a draw away easily.

To me, he always seems in a different league to the rest.

He has 10/10 for Manx now spread over several seasons.

[LawrenceCooper]

Amused to see four draws already in Manx v Sharks ... but all four on the boards where Manx had Black! Good luck to the remaining Sharks ...

Two of the draws resulted in GM norms for Peter Roberson & Harry Grieve. They both now have two norms.

[Neil Graham]

Has everyone seen this on the 4NCL web site:

4NCL Season 2023-2024: Expressions of Interest



As many of you will know, we’ve had some difficulty finding venues for next season, and as a consequence are likely to have to limit the number of teams we can accept. That said, we (and also our venue-finders Guaranteed Events, who need to commit to bedroom allocations when signing contracts with hotels and are on the hook financially for any shortfall in bedroom take-up) would like some comfort that we’re likely to fill the full quota of 64 teams.



The reason for asking the question is that of course in the normal scheme of things we would expect that at least 64 teams will enter out of the 2022-2023 season total of 83 teams. But we expect entry fees to have to increase (we’re hoping to keep them within the range of £475-500 for Divs 1 and 2 and £350-375 for Div 3), and we’re slightly nervous that that may put off some teams from entering – while noting that this still comes in at around £5.50 per game, so still in line with most weekend congresses.



We’ve accordingly set up an ‘Expression of Interest 23-24’ form, and I should be grateful if you would please complete it no later than Friday 5 May.



The reason for haste is twofold:

the hotels will likely only hold the dates we have for at most another two weeks without signed contracts; and

there’s always the risk that the hotels may receive other enquiries willing to pay more than we do.

We’re asking you to complete the form on a ‘no limitation on team numbers’ basis, on the assumption that if we get more than 64 expressions of interest on that basis then at least 64 will enter even if the numbers we can accept are limited. We understand that some combined squads may decide not to play at all rather than play on a reduced team numbers basis – but this survey was never going to be a precise science.



You can find the link to the form below. Many thanks in advance for your help.

Perhaps this post should be repeated in the 4NCL Season 2023-24 topic which is where it ought to belong?

[Mick Norris]

Amused to see four draws already in Manx v Sharks ... but all four on the boards where Manx had Black! Good luck to the remaining Sharks ...

Two of the draws resulted in GM norms for Peter Roberson & Harry Grieve. They both now have two norms.

That's good news

Manx win easily; I assume it's West is Best, Cambridge University and Gonzaga relegated; is there qualification for the European Club Cup too?

[LawrenceCooper]

Amused to see four draws already in Manx v Sharks ... but all four on the boards where Manx had Black! Good luck to the remaining Sharks ...

Two of the draws resulted in GM norms for Peter Roberson & Harry Grieve. They both now have two norms.

That's good news

Manx win easily; I assume it's West is Best, Cambridge University and Gonzaga relegated; is there qualification for the European Club Cup too?

Yes, White Rose 2 pulled off an unlikely escape with an emphatic last round win. Checking the ECC regulations countries with a national league can nominate 5 teams. I assume that Manx won't take their place so it will pass down. In practice most teams in Div 1 who want it may get an opportunity.