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Dear All
A few weeks ago, I began a consultation with Yorkshire clubs
about whether the Yorkshire League could resume in Autumn. That
consultation has now concluded. In that time I suspect most people will
have heard the disappointing news that both the Scarborough congress and
the 4NCL Hull congress have been cancelled for 2020, both contrasting but
equally fantastic events that I, and I suspect many others, were very much
looking forward to.
Many will also have heard the far sadder news that both Bill
Pinder, the long standing captain of Pontefract's team, and Winston
Williams, who organised the Bradford Chesstival, passed away recently: two
men who made a great contribution to Yorkshire Chess and who will be much
missed.
This email is sent to all YCA club secretaries and captains
plus a few selected others. I would ask you to share it among your
players to ensure that as many people read it as possible as it contains
details as to how they can continue to play chess and events that may be of
interest to them.
Firstly and I'll use capitals to ensure that it doesn't get
lost in a lengthy email; THE OVERWHELMING FEEL OF THE CONSULTATION WAS THAT
IT WAS NOT PRACTICAL FOR THE YORKSHIRE LEAGUE TO RESUME. THEREFORE
THE LEAGUE REMAINS SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE WITH THE NEXT REVIEW DUE
AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
It goes without saying that these are unprecedented times.
We will all have differing views on the current situation and what
should be permissible or not. It is not for me or the YCA to make any
judgement on this, simply that I feel a duty as YCA league controller to
create as many opportunities to play as possible.
AUTUMN MINI LEAGUE (over the board)
Therefore I would like to invite expressions of interest for a
mini league to fill the Autumn months. If I could invite prospective
entries before MONDAY 24th AUGUST and I will then hold a consultation with
interested teams as to how it could work. It may just end up being a
series of graded matches. My suggestion would be to limit teams to
six players so that social distancing at venues is easier to observe.
I would like to stress this is not intended to replace the main
Yorkshire league but intended as a stop gap with no obligation to play
(many players will not wish to play at this time and they should not be
forced to).
LICHESS INDIVIDUAL (on line)
With online chess seeing an inevitable boom and with the next
Yorkshire individual championship not due until the 2021-22 season I wondered
if there was an interest in an individual Yorkshire tournament played over
Lichess - open to players of all standards. The exact format will
depend on the number of entries but I'm feeling something reasonably
informal with games played by mutual agreement within a fixed timescale.
For those who aren't familiar with Lichess this is a platform
where two players can play a game in real time over the internet. I
was initially a bit hesitant about it myself but took part in a local event
using the site and found it a very enjoyable experience. If I could
ask for initial entries no later than MONDAY 31st AUGUST then I can work
out the exact format. There may be a small entry fee to cover the
costs of a suitable prize.
NATIONAL 100 (on line)
One interesting external event is the National 100 which is an
inter-union online event for players graded under 100. Full details
here https://www.englishchess.org.uk/the-national-100-launches/.
The North team is being organised by Mick Riding of Northumberland, a
well-known NCCU player, and I can forward any queries to Mick. Please
could you ensure all local players graded under 100 have sight of this.
It only remains for me to wish everybody well in these
difficult times and hope we will be able to resume normal play soon.
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