The club where your moves matter
Barnsley Chess club has entered the National Club Championships run by the English Chess Federation (ECF) for the first time in their history.
We are entering two teams, one team in the Major competition and the other in the Minor competition.
The draw will not be be made until 15th November.
In the early rounds travel is minimised. The home team offers away team one of three dates - usually at weekends.
The rate of play will be 40 moves in 2 hours followed by all moves in 30 minutes. Where DGT electronic clocks are used, the rate will be 40 moves in 100 minutes, followed by all moves in 20 minutes with an extra 30 seconds for each made move. Other rates may be mutually agreed.
Click here for the ECF National Club Championships Home Page.
The Major Competition comprises of teams of five players. No player can be graded over 204 (ECF). The average grade of the team must be less than 175 (ECF).
In the preliminary round of the Major, Barnsley are at home to Alwoodley from Leeds. The match to be played before the 10th January 2010.
In round one the winners of the above tie will play Bushbury from Wolverhampton. The match to be played before the 7th February 2010.
Since both Barnsley and Alwoodley were unable to arrange the fixture before the deadline date, both teams were defaulted.
The Minor Competition comprises of teams of four players. No player can be graded over 144 (ECF). The average grade of the team must be less than 120 (ECF).
Barnsley's first attempt to progress in the Minor ended in failure following lengthy games against Crazy Horses Chess Club Bradford.
The match was played at the Sir Titus Salt in the centre of Bradford on Sunday 17th January.
With a stipulation of 4 players with an average grade of 120 maximum both teams looked to be evenly matched but Barnsley lost 3 - 1.
Francesca Fozard supplied our only win on board three but losses for Brian Holdsworth, Vlad Shaposhnikov and John Fozard on boards 1, 2 and 4 respectively meant we did not manage a cup run.
The match was played in a good spirit and Crazy Horses are now likely to be travelling south for the next round.