County Chess has had a challenging and transformative 18months.
The SCCU’s 2019-20 cycle finished
just before lockdown began; its’ end saw a successful one for Middlesex as they
won both the u180 and u160 divisions; were placed 2nd in Open and
gave creditable performances in u140 and u120 divisions. In lifting the u160
title Keith Jones became the first Middlesex Captain in this division to win a
hat-trick. Lockdown of course prevented the three teams from participating at the
National Stage where all would have been harbouring hopes of lifting their
respective titles.
Although the National Stage did
not go ahead the ECF ran an online competition during the Summer – ECF Online
County Championship – and Middlesex proved they could be successful in this
format also. They were the only team to enter three teams in the Online County
Championships – two in Open Division and one in u1825 The Open Division 2 were
the only team to be crowned Champions when defeating Oxfordshire but, the other
teams performed equally as both were knocked out in the semi-finals (Open
Division 1 by Northumberland and u1825 by Lincolnshire.) A team was not entered
for the 2021 version but, entries overall were down compared to 2020 – only 10
teams total in both Open divisions in 20201 as opposed to 23 in 2020. The final
online competition of 2020 was the National 100 in which Middlesex provided
significant numbers for The South Team. This proved to be the difference as The
South went onto lift the title with a 100%. This team comprised of u100 players
bodes well for Middlesex’s u100 and junior teams when OTB resumes. All told a
successful online campaign!
With OTB play resuming we await
to hear what happens with County Chess. Notwithstanding when it does resume you
will note there is a change in divisions. The ECF has adopted the 4-digit
grading system so naturally the grading bands had to be revised. The divisions are
now:
We shall see if the effective
return to the pre-2009 grading boundaries will make a significant difference to
participation. With respect to Middlesex, it is hoped that those who have
represented the teams prior and during lockdown irrespective of format will be
willing and able to do so once again. If so, Middlesex will look to sweep titles
at both Regional and National Stages as they used to doon regular basis in the
past. The Open team for example can look to break their hoodoo of finals losses
(x in y years!) and finally extend record of the most National Titles won
(Middlesex hold current record of 29 titles). News will be circulated on both
the website and through MCCA Captains once the position of County Chess is
finalised. Watch this space!