2023 National Stages

[Mick Norris]

I am not sure when the rules are first published, but I know Mark Murrell circulated them mid March, which is before the deadline for entries

Matches shall be played on, or by mutual agreement before, or on the Sunday immediately following, the dates here listed –
Preliminary Round – Fourth Saturday in April
Quarter Finals (Open, Minor, U1850 and U1450) – Second Saturday in May
Quarter Finals (U2050 and U1650) – Third Saturday in May
Semi-Finals – Second Saturday in June
Finals – First Saturday in July

These dates may be varied by the Director of Home Chess not later than 31st October in each season and shall be notified within 7 days to Union Controllers.

This season, the default dates are — 22nd April, 13th May, 20th May, 10th June, and the Finals will be played on 1st July.

So, you can work out the 2024 dates now, and have them confirmed no later than end October

[Kevin Thurlow]

It may be that whoever entered the team was so eager to increase the number of county matches played by at least 50 %, they missed that bit... I doubt they will make that mistake again.

At least we've avoided a trip to somewhere near Birmingham.

[John Reyes]

good luck to all the teams today

[Mick Norris]

Well done to Middlesex who beat G Man at Syston today in both the Open and u1850

The Open was very close, and I see Surrey beat Northumberland on board count in the other semi final

G Man won in the u1450 at Warwick University, it's the first time in our existence of almost 50 years that we have had a county team in the bottom category, so a considerable achievement to reach the final

I gather our u1850 lost on board count to a mobile phone going off in the final game to finish at Newcastle under Lyme

[MartinCarpenter]

G Man won in the u1450 at Warwick University, it's the first time in our existence of almost 50 years that we have had a county team in the bottom category, so a considerable achievement to reach the final

That's what has impressed me most - I was fairly sure that GM could get a decent open team together if motivated, rather less sure about the U2050 downwards. But you're doing well

Warwickshire having a decent year too - in the U1650 and U2050 finals. (vs Yorkshire and Essex). Not sure how usual that is for them.

Yorkshire - Middlesex in the U1850.

[Mick Norris]

We have always had an u150, u160, u1850 team, so I was confident about that; the influx of players into the Manchester League has seen quite a few lower rated players, so that's proved we have the player base, we now have a captain which as we know is key

[Mick Norris]

Cambs beat Devon on board count yesterday, the third of the semis to be decided that way

Finals on 1 July are:

Open - Surrey v Middlesex

Minor - Cambs v Norfolk

u2050 - Warks v Essex

u1850 - Yorks v Middlesex

u1650 - Yorks v Warks

u1450 - G Man v Essex

[Mick Norris]

The Finals will be played at regional venues chosen by the ECF Home Director as follows –
Open and U2050 – The Hythe Centre, 36 Thorpe Road, Staines-upon-Thames, Egham TW18 3HD
Minor Counties – The Guildhall, Cage Lane, Thetford IP24 2DS
U1850, U1650 & U1450 – Syston Community Centre, 18 School St, Syston, Leicester LE7 1HN

[Mick Norris]

It appears Warks have defaulted the u2050

[Mick Norris]

Open Surrey won toss and picked black on odds; Richard Bates v Peter Lee on top board, starts at 1 pm

Others start at 1:30 pm

Minor Counties

u1850

u1650

u1450 good luck to Greater Manchester

[John Moore]

Open Surrey won toss and picked black on odds; Richard Bates v Peter Lee on top board, starts at 1 pm

Others start at 1:30 pm

Minor Counties

u1850

u1650

u1450 good luck to Greater Manchester

Is that the Peter Lee on board 1 in the Open - British Champion as long ago as 1965. The team sheet shows him with the middle initial N which would be right and a rating of 2390. Certainly a surprising reappearance if it is him.

[Matt Mackenzie]

Has started playing again just in the last few months, apparently.

[Mick Norris]

G Man won the u1450 by 8.5 to 3.5

Not bad for a first season

[Richard Bates]

Phew!

[NickFaulks]

Phew!

Do we know who won?