2nd weekend 14-15 January, Hinckley Island, & Wychwood Park by Lawrence Cooper

The second weekend of the 2011-12 season was split between two venues, Divisions 1, 2 and 3 South were played at the Barcelo Hotel, Hinckley Island and Division Three North League took place at De Vere Wychwood Park.

Before start of play on the Saturday the annual awards ceremony was held at Hinckley at which Andrew Farthing, Chief Executive of the ECF, presented trophies to last years winners and also ECF President’s awards for services to chess to both Dave Thomas and Mike Truran.

A potential title deciding match took place in Pool 1A in round 4 with Guildford, who led the table on 6/6 match points and 19½ game points facing Wood Green Hilsmark Kingfisher (WGHK) who were level on match points and had one game point less. Both teams had warmed up with crushing wins on the Saturday; WGHK had won 8-0 against The ADs whilst Guildford had to settle for 7½ against Anglian Avengers.

Although the match looked an even contest WGHK ran out comfortable winners. David Howell beat Nigel Short with white on top board in the last game to finish whilst Jonathan Rowson beat Tony Kosten on three and Nick Pert beat David Smerdon on five. Stephen Gordon had an impressive result drawing with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (rated 2699) on board two with black and was, in fact, the player pressing in a rook ending.

WGHK therefore lead with 8/8 match points with Guildford on 6 along with e2e4.org.uk and Barbican 2 who both had great weekends with victories against Blackthorn Russia and Bristol. Three of these matches finished 4½-3½ whilst Barbican 2 edged out Bristol 5-3. There is a three-point gap to the ADs on three match points followed by Blackthorn on 2, Bristol on 1 and Anglian Avengers on 0.

As the top four after seven rounds qualify for the Championship Pool (and are therefore safe from relegation) The ADs will need a strong finish although they do still have Barbican 2 and e2e4.org.uk to play as well as Blackthorn in round 5. Blackthorn will find it very hard to qualify as they still have WGHK to face and probably need maximum points from their next three matches. They may have both Harriet and Adam Hunt available however. Harriet made a welcome return to the 4NCL playing on top board on Saturday whilst Adam may have returned from his series of tournaments in America.

Although Cheddleton still top Pool 1B they did suffer a surprise defeat in round 3 to Oxford. This may not prove serious if Oxford don’t qualify for the Championship Pool though as the result won’t then carry forward. Barbican’s 4½-3½ victory over White Rose in a match with only one draw means both teams are level with Cheddleton on match points. The fourth qualifying place is still wide open with Jutes of Kent ahead of Oxford on game points. Both have four points while WGHK 2, Cambridge and Guildford 2 all have two. If Jutes are able to field both of their GMs; Simon Williams and Luis Galego (who both scored 2/2 this weekend) as well as both Thorfinnssons they appear favourites to take fourth but there is plenty of chess left to play and the places may still be open going into round seven.

Qualification for the promotion pool in Pool 2A is looking very promising for Pandora’s Box and Poisoned Pawns who have seven match points and White Rose 2 and Kings Head on six. There is then a four-point gap to Cambridge 2, Barbican Youth and Bradford on two and FCA Solutions on 0. It is therefore likely that all qualifying places will be settled by the end of the next weekend.

AMCA Dragons top Pool 2B with eight match points and are well placed to qualify. There follows South Wales Dragons and 3Cs on five with Warwickshire Select, Sambuca Sharks and Brown Jack on four. Spirit of Atticus and Rhyfelwyr Essyllwg have one meaning they will need at least four match points from the last three rounds and probably five or six to have any chance of avoiding the Relegation Pool. Proof of how competitive this pool is can be seen from the fact that 5½ is the highest any team has scored in the sixteen matches played so far with the majority being closer than that. It seems likely that qualifying will still be unclear going into round 7 and game points may well prove crucial.

Although North East England were missing their top board FM David Walker they were able to maintain their 100% to top the North Section of Division Three with two 3½-2½ victories against Holmes Chapel and Manchester Manticores. Jorvik beat Bradford B in round four to join them on six match points whilst Cheddleton B is on four. Holmes Chapel and the Manticores have yet to open their account. The match points carry forward when the two Division 3 sections merge after round 6.

Division Three South has only two teams on eight match points; Wessex and KJCA Kings and just British Universities Chess Association on seven. There are eight teams on six and the league looks wide open this year. At the bottom there are just two teams yet to open their account and one on one match point so this does suggest that the division is becoming increasingly competitive.

I would like to thank both venues for hosting the weekends and for providing good playing conditions and accommodation. I would also like to thank the 4NCL for arranging a free venue at Hinckley for the ECF Board meeting on the Saturday.

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