City Congresses Returning

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MartinCarpenter
Posts: 3189
Joined: Tue May 24, 2011 10:58 am

City Congresses Returning

Post by MartinCarpenter » Tue Dec 17, 2024 9:03 am

Well they've emailed about this but it's worth sticking here in case people stumble over it - thanks to the kind souls in the Ilkley chess centre, there's a large bunch of traditional city based congresses due to return to Yorkshire in 2025.

https://ilkleychesscentre.com/events

Bradford, Huddersfield, York and Leeds, spread through the year. Jan, April, Sept and Oct respectively.

Fractionally cheeky of them calling them 1st congresses but they've earned the right :)

I'm intrigued by the U1900 majors, and not really sold on 3 rounds on the Saturdays, but I'm sure there'll be good reasons for both of those.

Andrew Zigmond
Posts: 2137
Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2011 9:23 pm
Location: Harrogate

Re: City Congresses Returning

Post by Andrew Zigmond » Wed Dec 18, 2024 1:34 am

I don't see anything "cheeky" about it. While previous congresses have been held under these names none have taken place since before the pandemic. Also, even if the exact number of previous congresses could be traced, not calling them the 1st might imply continuity with the prior organisers.

I also take slight issue with the "kind souls" comment. Running these events is not an act of kindness, it is dedication on the part of one man to ensure that Yorkshire has a roster of professionally run congresses fit for chess in the 2020s.

Regarding three rounds on the Saturday it possibly makes it easier to arrange venue hire, means organisers and some players only have to take two days out of their diary and also the quick Friday/ Saturday turnaround of the traditional congress isn't always ideal for every player.
Controller - Yorkshire League
Chairman - Harrogate Chess Club
All views expressed entirely my own

MartinCarpenter
Posts: 3189
Joined: Tue May 24, 2011 10:58 am

Re: City Congresses Returning

Post by MartinCarpenter » Wed Dec 18, 2024 9:23 am

Well it's certainly kind (quite a strong complement you know) that they're using that energy to help chess rather than something else!

What they really need for the names is a brand name, like the 4NCL etc. Except that 1st Ilkley York congress would obviously be a recipe for mass confusion and ICC is taken!

A bare 1st York/Bradford etc congress does look a little weird when there's been so many before now. Incredibly unimportant.

Mick Norris
Posts: 11406
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:12 am
Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester

Re: City Congresses Returning

Post by Mick Norris » Wed Dec 18, 2024 9:52 am

MartinCarpenter wrote: ↑
Wed Dec 18, 2024 9:23 am
Well it's certainly kind (quite a strong complement you know) that they're using that energy to help chess rather than something else!

What they really need for the names is a brand name, like the 4NCL etc. Except that 1st Ilkley York congress would obviously be a recipe for mass confusion and ICC is taken!

A bare 1st York/Bradford etc congress does look a little weird when there's been so many before now. Incredibly unimportant.
d2d4 maybe?
Any postings on here represent my personal views

MartinCarpenter
Posts: 3189
Joined: Tue May 24, 2011 10:58 am

Re: City Congresses Returning

Post by MartinCarpenter » Thu Dec 19, 2024 9:20 am

Mick Norris wrote: ↑
Wed Dec 18, 2024 9:52 am
d2d4 maybe?
:)

They've shown a fine imagination with their Yorkshire league teams - Dragons, Knights and Scorpions....

Andrew Wainwright
Posts: 238
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:05 pm

Re: City Congresses Returning

Post by Andrew Wainwright » Mon Feb 17, 2025 5:15 pm

Andrew Zigmond wrote: ↑
Wed Dec 18, 2024 1:34 am
I don't see anything "cheeky" about it. While previous congresses have been held under these names none have taken place since before the pandemic. Also, even if the exact number of previous congresses could be traced, not calling them the 1st might imply continuity with the prior organisers.

I also take slight issue with the "kind souls" comment. Running these events is not an act of kindness, it is dedication on the part of one man to ensure that Yorkshire has a roster of professionally run congresses fit for chess in the 2020s.

Regarding three rounds on the Saturday it possibly makes it easier to arrange venue hire, means organisers and some players only have to take two days out of their diary and also the quick Friday/ Saturday turnaround of the traditional congress isn't always ideal for every player.
@AndrewZigmond - Thank you for your kind words. We are doing our best and have been blown away with the positivity and support from Chess players across Yorkshire and beyond. Our congress circuit will hopefully go from strength to strength in the coming years and create a platform of regular, well run and professionally organised events for our players to enjoy.

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