Only Cossham, the Div 2 leaders, and Downend C, at the top of Div 3, have maximum points, but I am informed on the grapevine that Cossham lost a match on Thursday. University A dropped a shock point to Downend E, but look like romping away with the division, much to the relief of next year's Div 4 players. Hanham B look reasonably secure in Div 5, so the main struggle in this year's League will be between Clifton, Horfield and Grendel for the coveted League Champions' shield.
A number of the lower rated players have set the pace for the start of the League this year, led by Hanham's Phil Lawson, whose 6/6 lifts him up by a mighty 68 grading points. Meanwhile players who are powering into the high 160s and 170s include Devon Thomas, Aidan Rawlinson, Anthony Smith and Dave Tipper. Which gives extra fuel to those who would like to see a Bristol C team in the 4NCL next year.
With so many up and coming players it would be helpful to give them a chance of an international rating. This has been mooted many times but has always foundered on the lack of suitable premises. According to Stewart Reuben these events are often held in people's houses. Does anyone have, or know of, a house with a large enough room to host five matches (i.e. a ten player all-play-all), which could be used for this purpose?
South Bristol have had DPPs for their match against Bath C waived on appeal. In this case the South Bristol players turned up just after 8pm and were defaulted. The LMC took the view that the players were available and willing to play, so DPPs should not be awarded. This may not count in all such cases (e.g. if a player turns up at 8.30 and their opponent has gone home). Remember that all DPP appeals must be received in writing within 14 days of the match.
Last year the average time for results to come in was about 5 days. According to League rules results sheets should be with me 72 hours after the match. This means that they should be sent immediately the match finishes, if sent by second class post, or within two days if sent first class. Two teams (who will not be named and shamed in this instance) took an average of more than 30 days last season, which makes League tables unreliable and risks demoralising those clubs that are more punctual.
329 players have so far competed in at least one match so far. I now have statistics on the turnover of League members. 91 of last year's players have not played this season (excluding University who have a high turnover due to the nature of their club). This is a turnover of 20%. Most of these played fewer than 5 games last season, but if we count only those who played at least 5, the turnover is still around 12%. This is equivalent to 5 teams leaving the League, so highlights the need to recruit new players to make up the gap.
There will be no grading list in January. We are back to the previous system where only juniors and players with amended grades will be published in January. The new BCF Grading Director, Roger Edwards, has said that there was little interest among adult players for a twice-yearly list.
The Trust has sent a circular to all schools in the Bristol area asking if they want assistance in setting up a chess club. Seven schools have replied and it is hoped to take this initiative forward in the very near future.
The BCET trustees are Christopher Jones, Martyn Sellars and Jerry Humphreys. You may contact any of these for further information or to make a request for a grant.
The next set of tables and individual performances will be sent by e-mail on 12th December, with a set going out to all clubs around 1st January.
Jerry Humphreys
28th November 1999