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2026 National Stages
Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2026 8:50 am
by Mick Norris
website
LMS
23 March – Close of nominations from the Union stage
06 April - Due by date for publication of the draws following the meeting of the Draw committee
25 April – Preliminary Round where required
09 May – Open, Minor Counties, U1850 & U1450 Quarter Finals
16 May – U2050 & U1650 Quarter Finals
13 June – Semi Finals of all championships
04 July – Finals of all championships
With the exception of the Finals, matches can be made on the immediately following Sunday or on an earlier weekend by agreement.
Re: 2026 National Stages
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2026 9:23 am
by Mick Norris
Re: 2026 National Stages
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2026 7:46 pm
by Mick Norris
The draw has been published
Open
Minor
u2050
u1850
u1650
u1450
Re: 2026 National Stages
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2026 11:48 pm
by Kevin Thurlow
In the Minor, I imagine Lincolnshire and Norfolk are pleased to get a local derby, reducing the travelling.
Re: 2026 National Stages
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2026 6:57 am
by IM Jack Rudd
Also, Worcestershire is by far the kindest draw Devon could have got in the same section.
Re: 2026 National Stages
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2026 8:20 am
by Kevin Thurlow
"Also, Worcestershire is by far the kindest draw Devon could have got in the same section."
I was thinking some of Somerset's opponents were a long way off, but it's worse for Devon and even more so for Cornwall.
Re: 2026 National Stages
Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2026 2:32 pm
by Jon Underwood
IM Jack Rudd wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2026 6:57 am
Also, Worcestershire is by far the kindest draw Devon could have got in the same section.
Better still we won't face the monster journey to play either Norfolk or Lincs unless we make the final.
Re: 2026 National Stages
Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2026 5:54 pm
by Mick Norris
Preliminary rounds complete
Merseyside beat Essex in the u1850
Middlesex beat Derbyshire in the u1650
Re: 2026 National Stages
Posted: Sun May 10, 2026 11:45 am
by Mick Norris
Jon Underwood wrote: ↑Fri Apr 10, 2026 2:32 pm
IM Jack Rudd wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2026 6:57 am
Also, Worcestershire is by far the kindest draw Devon could have got in the same section.
Better still we won't face the monster journey to play either Norfolk or Lincs unless we make the final.
Looks like it was a good match yesterday, with apologies to Carl
I see you have Cambridgeshire next
Re: 2026 National Stages
Posted: Sun May 10, 2026 12:14 pm
by Carl Hibbard
Mick Norris wrote: ↑Sun May 10, 2026 11:45 am
Jon Underwood wrote: ↑Fri Apr 10, 2026 2:32 pm
IM Jack Rudd wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2026 6:57 am
Also, Worcestershire is by far the kindest draw Devon could have got in the same section.
Better still we won't face the monster journey to play either Norfolk or Lincs unless we make the final.
Looks like it was a good match yesterday, with apologies to Carl
I see you have Cambridgeshire next
Yes it was close.
Coming back after like 14 years off without moving a piece has been a first season struggle.
Re: 2026 National Stages
Posted: Tue May 12, 2026 8:50 pm
by Jon Underwood
Mick Norris wrote: ↑Sun May 10, 2026 11:45 am
Jon Underwood wrote: ↑Fri Apr 10, 2026 2:32 pm
IM Jack Rudd wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2026 6:57 am
Also, Worcestershire is by far the kindest draw Devon could have got in the same section.
Better still we won't face the monster journey to play either Norfolk or Lincs unless we make the final.
Looks like it was a good match yesterday, with apologies to Carl
I see you have Cambridgeshire next
Yes decided by a win on time and then our player clinging on in the last game to finish. We were pretty fortunate all round really.
Re: 2026 National Stages
Posted: Mon May 18, 2026 12:26 pm
by Stephen Westmoreland
For those interested, I did my usual Yorkshire match reports and various photos. This is for Saturday's u2050s match between Yorkshire and Surrey:
https://holmfirthchess.org.uk/2026/05/1 ... er-finals/
Also the u1850s game against Lincolnshire:
https://holmfirthchess.org.uk/2026/05/1 ... er-finals/
Two amazing events and as ever, the opposition were a pleasure to meet.
Re: 2026 National Stages
Posted: Tue May 19, 2026 8:52 am
by MartinCarpenter
I did wonder if it was that Peter Lee, my goodness
I do like Yorkshire U2050's results so far this season: 6.5-5.5, 6-6, 5.5-6.5 and now 8.5-7.5. That's what grade limited competitions exist for really!
Derbyshire should be pretty solid. The other semi looks likely to be close too.
Re: 2026 National Stages
Posted: Tue May 19, 2026 11:07 am
by Graham Alcock
Thank you Stephen, it’s always interesting to see the match from the opposition perspective. Well played to all at Yorkshire.
Peter Lee is still playing high level bridge as well as chess
Re: 2026 National Stages
Posted: Tue May 19, 2026 3:08 pm
by Matt Mackenzie
I think that PGL only returned to active chess a few years ago, after several decades out.