Horfield A have faltered slightly as they approach the winning post, losing to arch rivals Clifton A. But they still have dropped only five points, compared to Clifton's eight. In Division Two Bath University have dropped behind as Thornbury have snatched the lead. It seems almost certain that Thornbury and Nailsea will be gaining places in the top division. Word is that Bath Uni will not be entering again next season, which will be a great shame. I have rarely seen a chess team with so much enthusiasm and such a positive attitude. Both South Bristol teams are in the lead, but only just, in Divisions Three and Five, while Nailsea C have dropped behind Clevedon B but have a game in hand in Division Four. The relegation race in Division Two could be one of the interesting features of the season, with still only four points separating the bottom seven teams.
University A have failed to stem their defaults and are close to being expelled from the League. This would leave them with their top team in Division Four, as their B team must win all its remaining matches to have any chance of avoiding relegation. Most of the other relegation candidates are fairly easy to identify, though there is still time for them to put on a late run.
Steve Dilleigh (Horfield) has edged into the lead in this competition, by virtue of having played the fewer number of games. Alex Easton (Horfield) is also on 13, but with two games more, and Alan Warne (Clifton) is on the same score but from twenty matches. Jim Cattran (Grendel) has slipped a little but leads the mini-competition to play the most games in the season, with 25 so far.
Nineteen new players played in the League in February, bringing the total to 417 (498 last year). So it is not yet clear whether we will be able to have the same number of teams next year. It was pointed out recently by the BCF that we (i.e. British chess) have not been doing much to capitalise on recent successes, such as the winning of two World Championship titles (Nick Pert and Ruth Sheldon) and the recent excellent performances of Michael Adams. So perhaps the chess world will wake up soon and charge up public interest in the game, which would be of great benefit to Leagues.
This year's January grading list will not be published. The BCF have had enormous problems with their software, but have requested that players do not slag them off too much as all the work has been done on a voluntary basis by chess players who are professional programmers. The grading information provided for the January exercise will be used to run a pilot for the main grading list in August. We will have to be prepared for any number of errors in the August list as this will be the first one published using the new system.
The League AGM is on Wednesday 26th May. Any motions proposed by League members must be submitted (in writing and seconded) to the Management Committee in time for their meeting on 5th May. A notice will be sent out to clubs beforehand, which will also list any motions proposed by the LMC.
A set of tables and individual performances has been sent to clubs in the last few days. The next set will be sent on 27th March.An update will be posted on the Web shortly after 13th March.
Jerry Humphreys
1st March 1999