4NCL Newsletter
February 2007
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There are a number of matters that I wish to bring to your attention on behalf of the Board.
1/ We are investigating the possibility of holding a summer team rapid-play tournament on the 30th June and 1st July. The venue would be De Vere Harben Conference Centre in Milton Keynes and is one of the De Vere group that we have used this year. At this stage we are thinking of a 4 board format and would be grateful if people could indicate whether they would be interested in forming a team.
2/ Next season we are intending to change to a Fischer time control system although it will depend on digital clock availability and so may not apply to all divisions. This will have the advantage having just one time-control and of producing less frenetic time scrambles, which should help both the players and the arbiters.
3/ Looking ahead to the 2008/2009 season it is our intention to change the structure of the 4NCL to the following:
Divisions 1 + 2 - 16 teams in total split initially into two pools of 8 of roughly equal standard. Each pool is an all-play-all of 7 rounds and then the top four teams from each compete in a final championship/promotion group for the last four rounds. Similarly the bottom four teams from each compete in a relegation pool. All the results from the initial all-play-all are carried forward.
Division 3 - Swiss format very similar to the present Division 4 structure.
Four teams will be promoted from Divisions 2 + 3.
Four teams will be relegated from Divisions 1 + 2.
Obviously in the transition year the movement of teams will be different i.e all teams in Division 1 will remain there, the top 4 teams in Division 2 will go into Division 1 , 8 teams will go from Division 3 into Division 2 and all remaining Division 3 + 4 teams will
form Division 3.
This new structure will have several advantages the main ones of which are:
a/ Less pressure on venues because there is a more equal split between the number of players at each weekend.
b/ A faster track promotion process for new strong teams entering the League i.e one year less than with the four division structure.
c/ Two “showdown” weekends per season rather than just one as at present.
d/ More chance for weaker teams to preserve their place in the relevant division.
e/ An opportunity to keep teams from the same squad (in the same division) apart for the first seven rounds (and potentially for the whole season).
Paul Littlewood (4NCL Chairman)
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