The resumption of County chess as one format of OTB play was welcomed. However, to be honest the current climate saw a heavy focus on resumption of leagues so overshadowed it as all 3 Middlesex teams playing in the opening round of the Open/u1850/u1450 had difficulties raising teams as proven by the reduction to 12boards for Open and u1850 and the plethora of juniors dragooned into representing the u1450. The difficulty for the Open understandably meant fielding an understrength team against a virtually full strength Kent. The team would have done well in a Minor or u2050 competition but as expected struggled against a genuine Open team.
There is not much too write home about as all 3 teams suffered a reverse:
Open lost 3.5-8.5
u1850 lost 4.5-7.5
u1450 lost 5.5-6.5
Rather than give respective reports as nothing great to report your author will focus on the fact that for a long time a significant number of juniors represented a Middlesex Senior Team. Granted it was for the u1450 team but if this talent is nurtured we ought to find in short order they will accelerate through the divisions and become a permanent presence in the Open or at least u2050.
The 13th November sees the opening round of the u2050 and u1650 campaigns who have a double-header against Essex. It is hoped that the results favour Middlesex!
The 2nd Round for Open/u1850/u1450 is 4th December when it is hoped that all 3 teams will fare better.