English Chess Forum

Good to see 4 teams promoted from Div 4 (albeit with a declaration of interest that WIB was one of them). Fighting for promotion with so many good teams for only 2 spaces can be dispiriting, particularly when it's not an all play all, or even a quasi all play all as per Div 3.

Also good to see three Welsh teams in Div 3S, or 2 and a half before people question my team's geographic roots!

Nice to help out WIB get extra players in by e-mailing local leagues & clubs for Will.
Very kind to be offered to join into their meal out but I was with my team.
We (CSC) are going to miss Keith Richardson & hopefully with all games in the South we will get full teams out.

Ah, many thanks, Nick. It was most helpful. We're expanding next year so hopefully will have sufficient players at the start of the season!

So am I correct in understanding that West Is Best has taken over South Wales Dragons?

Yes.

A slight shame that the name South Wales Dragons has gone: I believe they have been in the League since 1994. Couldn't you have called the new team "South West Wales Dragons are Best" ?

Jonathan Rogers wrote:A slight shame that the name South Wales Dragons has gone: I believe they have been in the League since 1994. Couldn't you have called the new team "South West Wales Dragons are Best" ?

I doubt it judging by my failed attempts to have Wood Green, Hilsmark Kingfisher, Midland Monarchs all included in our team name

LawrenceCooper wrote:my failed attempts to have Wood Green, Hilsmark Kingfisher, Midland Monarchs all included in our team name

Where's the problem? Green Midland Kingfishers would surely add to the gaiety of our affairs. You might even put those Pembrokeshire Dragons to the sword

Based on Loz's experience of running four teams in four divisions I may be changing the name next year to 'If anyone hears me thinking of doing this again, you have my permission to shoot me' in homage to Steve Redgrave. However, having change team names five times in our eleven year history, we thought some consistency might be appropriate this time around!

MatthewParry wrote:Based on Loz's experience of running four teams in four divisions I may be changing the name next year to 'If anyone hears me thinking of doing this again, you have my permission to shoot me' in homage to Steve Redgrave. However, having change team names five times in our eleven year history, we thought some consistency might be appropriate this time around!

Four teams in three divisions That said, one of my players will have the opportunity in November to have played in Divisions 1, 2, 3S and 4 in the space of 12 months

Good to see the Rapidplay is popular; 32 teams entered. I'm not sure how many took part last year, but pretty sure it was under 20?!

Probably. Not having a clash with Isle of Man is one explanation. It has probably made the difference between fielding two or three teams in our case, and I am sure it explains the return of Guildford, who missed the last two years.

Or - dare I say it - the further south you go ...!

Out of interest, is there a timetable for the divisions being split and announced, and fixtures? My computer is being pedantic in which sites to allow and which to block today and NCL site must have offended it somehow!

MatthewParry wrote:Out of interest, is there a timetable for the divisions being split and announced, and fixtures? My computer is being pedantic in which sites to allow and which to block today and NCL site must have offended it somehow!

I don't know, but the entry deadline is still 3 days away, and the registration deadline is a fortnight beyond that...

MatthewParry wrote:Out of interest, is there a timetable for the divisions being split and announced, and fixtures?

There's a deadline for confirming entry and paying the entry fee. It's in a few days time. Presumably there's a little leeway for chasing up any non-payers after which the divisions can be set in stone. Also if there is a late withdrawal, sometimes teams have already prepared for life in a lower division and might turn down an offer of a relegation reprieve.