English Chess Forum

The latest Board Minutes reveal that the Open Section is being discontinued. Instead the title will be awarded to the winner of the 4NCL Division 1.

http://www.englishchess.org.uk/wp-conte ... 16-1-1.pdf

Given the lack of entries it traditionally attracts, it was agreed that we would not run an Open section as part of the National Club Championships 2017. It was agreed (with 4NCL directors not taking part in the vote), that the winner of Division 1 of the 4NCL would be awarded the title from 2017 and for future years, the ECF reserving the right to cancel the agreement in future should it so wish

I'm not aware that there's yet a date and venue made public for the 2017 competitions.

It's in the ECF calendar for 1-2 April 2017 at St Johns Hotel Solihull.

PS The 4NCL directors on the ECF Board recused themselves from the vote at the Board meeting.

Shouldn't it be renamed National Team 2017, I don't think there are very many clubs in the 4NCL 1st Division

Alan Walton wrote:I don't think there are very many clubs in the 4NCL 1st Division

When I last looked at the rules, they specifically excluded 4NCL squads from the National Club. Allowing their entry would likely have been the only plausible approach to reviving the Open, to see whether 4NCL players were up for a seventh weekend ( the sixth is the team and individual rapidplay)

So it could be won by a team of non-ECF members?

I don't care, but I suspect somebody will!

In the same vein, ie "it shouldn't really matter in practice, but ...." this comes as quite a surprise to me and looks like a mistake. The competition is over, virtually no club wants to compete at that highest level as a traditional "club", so there is no need to keep alive the title of Club Champion. All the above posters have valid points about the unnecessary complications that may ensue in amalgamating the titles.

Jonathan has a point. Was the option of a straight discontinuation (or putting the top title into abeyance) considered? Also, presumably the 4NCL Board could make a decision on their side on whether to accept this or not? How does the ECF even have the standing to award their own titles to the winners of another competition? I mean, they can do it, but it seems a bit pointless. Does this sort of thing happen often (i.e. is there precedent)?

To answer Chris: The ECF long since decided that its three nominees for the European Club Cup (ECC) would be determined by 4NCL finishing positions (although, if it didn't, then it would be entitled to fewer than three nominees).

But there is a world of difference between the two. The 4NCL is naturally used to decide ECC nominees, because there is no meaningful concept of a "club" in the ECC either; it is expected that most top teams will be hired mercenaries. In domestic chess, the word "club" still has a real meaning and the 4NCL is ill fitted to meet it. Indeed, when the 4NCL was created, it made a big deal about teams being able to field absolutely anyone they wanted, as a contrast to the restrictive rules of "bona fide club members" which cropped up from time to time in the Open section of the National Club.

Which is why I find this latest development quite odd. Historically incoherent, no particular benefit to it (no is going to try harder to win the 4NCL because of it!) and a cause of potential arguments within the structure of the remaining National Club competitions themselves, along the lines mentioned by others above.

It does surprise me that if 4NCL had thought a trophy desirable that they hadn't already purchased one of their own.

Did those who voted have any notification of the proposal and time to think about it before the meeting?

To be clear, we should at least applaud the ECF for finally biting the bullet and discontinuing the open section - that is itself overdue by a good ten years. It would just be better if they made a clean break of it.

Michael: there is already a first division trophy for 4NCL.

Definitely Always nice when the world gets a little bit more rational!

if intending to play in next section it is average U175 so Clubs wanting to play will have to pick a team to meet that criteria.

Its a disgrace that the ECF should degrade its own heritage tournaments.
This tournament should be promoted to every club in the land. A team of four is an ideal number for an outing by car once a year.
4NCL directors recused themselves from the vote ~ good, but what about the ECF directors on the 4NCL payroll as arbiters ? did they feel any conflict of interest?

the ECF received a commission for hotel rooms sold at the Nat club open , this income will now be lost.

no wonder fees are rising !

Bob Kane wrote: the ECF received a commission for hotel rooms sold at the Nat club open , this income will now be lost.

Last year there was just the one entry for the Open section and they were local to the Birmingham area.

Clubs are not necessarily interested in away weekends. 4NCL squads on the other hand are, but were banned from entering the National Club.