News

Summer League

Is there the interest/demand to start a summer evening league? Sheffield Chess has always been a winter league. In the past we all took our holidays during the summer.  Now many of us take our holidays during the winter and stay at home to enjoy the barbeque summers :-) In recent years Bill Ward organised a tournament that ran through the summer on a series of Mondays.  This was always well-attended, with players not just from within 'Sheffield' by also from the distant parts of '& District'.  This tournament no longer runs due to a snooker table in the club room. So... there appears to be an unsatisfied demand for evening chess during the summer. I would like to gauge whether the interest is sufficient to set up a summer evening league. Please can I have feedback from club secretaries or other club official, by Email please by 15 March.  Nil returns please, so looking for one reply from each member club even if your club is not interested.

1. Is there interest in your club for summer team chess?
2. What level of interest?  [low numbers may be able to be combined as already works in the Daytime league]
3. If your club would like to play in a summer league, how many boards should teams comprise?
4. Any other advice or suggestions appreciated.

If there is sufficient interest, the league would probably start in early May and run through to late September (but please tell me in your Email if you think otherwise).  As always if there are dates to avoid, these can be accommodated in the fixture list and/or be rearranged by the teams concerned.  Tentatively: Normal evening league rules to apply except for number of boards (but please tell me in your Email if you think otherwise). If the Emails show there is sufficient interest, the responses will be analysed and interested clubs will be circulated with the number of boards, so that teams can be entered, fixtures drawn up and play can start in early May. This is an optimistic plan/timescale, but let's see if we can achieve it
Mike Smith

County Championships
Sunday - March 14th @ Valley Parade, Bradford FC from 1pm
PLAYERS REQUIRED. PLEASE CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE CO-ORDINATOR.

The zonal round run by the NCCU will be based on a new format of a Jamboree. Yorkshire intend to provide seven teams: Open (16 players) and 12 players in the following U180, U160, U140 (2 teams), U120 & U100 based on new ECF grades.

Open, U180, U160
 Ihor Lewyk T: 01274 567559

U140, U120 & U100
 John Fozard T: 01226 792948

Second U140
Stephen Burton T: 0113 256 8157

Team based around the players who played in the U125 team (old grade) last year and will be made up of senior players

It has been decided that the county will put out three teams in the U140, U120 & U100 based on a junior/adult mix that will give up and coming youngsters a feel of the competition and a chance of long play (1pm - 5pm ... time control proposed 40 moves 1hr 45 + 15 mins) at this level in a large team. We are aiming for a 50/50 split if possible of junior/adults. If any junior or senior player is definitely available and is keen to be considered for selection please get in touch with John Fozard in the first instance (click on my email address at the top of the page). If the teams qualifies for the next stage - players must be prepared to travel for the national play-offs later in the year between April and July (dates yet to be announced).

Bulletin 3

Online  Excel, PDF. Thanks to Simon Dunkley.

Bulletin 2

Online  Excel, PDF. Thanks to Simon Dunkley.

Training Event for Players Graded U105

How to get a winning advantage after the opening

CALLING ALL CLUB PLAYERS UNDER 105 YCA OLD GRADE THAT WANT TO IMPROVE.
TRAINING COURSE @ WEST BRETTON (JUNC 38 M1) - SUNDAY 6 DECEMBER.
The Yorkshire Junior Chess Association has been running several very successful all day Training Camps this season using top ECF coaches. Now at the next event will include a course specifically for adult club players under 105 YCA old grade to be run by ECF coach, Nick Nixon of Leeds.

Contact John Fozard

Sheffield Individual Championship 2009/10
Reigning Champion: Chris Shephard
Bruce and Shapero Trophies: Kevin Marshall

Entries so far (17): Chris Shephard Nomads (187), Kieran O'Driscoll Nomads (186), Denis Molofej Rotherham Juniors (~180), Martin Howard Chesterfield (153), Haidar Nomeq Nomads (146), Louis Brijmohun SASCA (143), Farshad Ai Phoenix (136), Geoff Brown Darnall & Handsworth (132), John Fryer SASCA (124), Paul Bailey Nomads (116), Kevin Marshall Nomads (114), Bill Ward Woodseats (109), Miles Edwards-Wright SASCA (105), Chern Yean Sim University (104), Derek Chatterton Darnall & Handsworth (96), Joe Morrison Ecclesall (79), Mike Turnidge Darnall & Handsworth (~70)

Deadline 6pm Monday 30th November

Format
Six Round Swiss
One round per month, first round to be completed by the end of December
Time Control: 24 moves in an hour, then 12 per half hour
Adjournments are permitted (consulting computers is allowed - but might not be much use)
Black has choice of venue (usually either someone's home - often with a supply of tea and biscuits, or a club venue)

Benefits of Competing
Slower time control (should mean better chess)
Preparation for your opponent. You know who you are playing and with which colour and often a week or two in advance. This allows for in depth look at certain openings, which has to benefit your chess.
Adjournment analysis - again the chance to take an in depth look at late middlegame/endgame positions.

If you are interested in competing contact Tournament Controller Paul Bailey
email pbaileyREMOVETHESECAPITALS@sheffieldnomads.co.uk
mobile 078 12 49 49 57

*More detailed rules are available in the rules link.

Bulletin 1

Online  Excel, PDF. Thanks to Simon Dunkley. And a reminder: The area grader Jon Griffith is trialling online results reporting. The package produces automatically updating tables, results, fixtures, submitted match cards, and breakdown by team and player. Division 2 is here.
Feedback to Jon Griffith

British Rapidplay, Halifax, 21st-22nd Nov
website
There are just less than 3 weeks now to enter for the above tournament,  either for the Saturday and Sunday or for the Sunday only (in the case of adults). In the case of juniors there is a choice of Saturday only, Sunday only or both days.
Harry Baxter (via Bill Ward)

Division 2 Results Online

The area grader Jon Griffith is trialling online results reporting. The package produces automatically updating tables, results, fixtures, submitted match cards, and breakdown by team and player. Division 2 is here.
Feedback to Jon Griffith

Handbook Available

This season's handbook is now available as a webpage, Word document, pdf

Michael Clark email address

Michael Clark of Worksop has asked us to let captains know his email address is clarkmmcREMOVETHESECAPITALS@talk21.com

Email Chess

Webserver chess is an ideal way to improve your chess skills without the pressure of a ticking clock, although there are time restrictions eg 10 moves in 20 days and time saved is carried forward. The advantage is that you can research opening lines via books and so that annoying line that you get hit with in an OTB game is not likely to be effective. Computers are not allowed, but opening databases are allowed. Some players will try out new lines in this type of game. In this introductory event players will be grouped in sections of 5 players with one game against each player (2 whites 2 blacks) of approximately equal strength.

Phill Beckett

ICCF website http://www.iccf-webchess.com/Default.aspx
To participate contact familybeckett2REMOVETHESECAPITALS@aol.com