English Chess Forum

A new thread for the new season. Play starts at Peterborough at the weekend; Round One on 9th November & Round Two on 10th November.

Here is the League Table after two rounds:-

https://www.4nclresults.co.uk/2024-25/m ... -div4.html

Having seen the teams and their ratings, my initial reaction is that four teams with maximum points (The Full Ponty, War & Piece "A", Guildford Young Guns 1 and Warrington Mates) will be challenging for first place and promotion with the remainder trailing behind.

That Warrington Mates team - as expected - cross compares remarkably closely to large chunks of the Manticores, Calderdale etc They've got some potential reinforcements and are well used to playing as a team, so you can definitely imagine them getting promoted.

Did any teams at the Peterborough weekend eat at the hotel buffet? I'd be interested in any feedback as we normally eat out but might try it in January.

LawrenceCooper wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 28, 2024 9:05 pm

Did any teams at the Peterborough weekend eat at the hotel buffet?

You had a choice between the buffet or an a la carte bar menu. The tables in the restaurant seemed fully reserved but the adjacent bar area had capacity. The offering was a two course buffet of Indian style food. It seemed a bit unclear as to whether it included a dessert or not. It was just about OK. There's a pub down the road which looked as if it served food but I think a longish trek.

The hotel was also used for the British rapidplay, so participants in that may also have opinions.

I used the hotel buffet. Not a great fan of Indian cuisine, but it was fine. we were clearly told the price for either 2 or 3 courses.

I also stayed at the hotel for the 4NCL Easter congress this year. Roger is correct to say there's a pub nearby. It does perfectly reasonable food and is only about a 5 minute walk from the hotel. (On leaving the hotel grounds, turn right. Pub on your left.)

Julie Denning wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 29, 2024 9:15 am

I used the hotel buffet. Not a great fan of Indian cuisine, but it was fine. we were clearly told the price for either 2 or 3 courses.

I also stayed at the hotel for the 4NCL Easter congress this year. Roger is correct to say there's a pub nearby. It does perfectly reasonable food and is only about a 5 minute walk from the hotel. (On leaving the hotel grounds, turn right. Pub on your left.)

Thank you both for the feedback. I found "Fox and Hounds" as a pub 0.6 miles from the hotel so probably that one. There's also a reasonable amount of alternatives a couple of miles away so plenty of choice for the two weekends that we have there albeit with a group of around 20 it's always wise to book early and submit a pre-order.

"I found "Fox and Hounds" as a pub 0.6 miles from the hotel so probably that one."

Lawrence, no. The one I'm aware of, and have used, was The Woodman on Thorpe Road.

Julie Denning wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 29, 2024 10:56 am

"I found "Fox and Hounds" as a pub 0.6 miles from the hotel so probably that one."

Lawrence, no. The one I'm aware of, and have used, was The Woodman on Thorpe Road.

Thanks, I'm checking the menu now.

Julie Denning wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 29, 2024 9:15 am

I used the hotel buffet. Not a great fan of Indian cuisine, but it was fine. we were clearly told the price for either 2 or 3 courses.

Do you recall the price for 2 and/or 3 courses? From the 4NCL website I saw £15.95 which sounds good if that is multiple courses.

LawrenceCooper wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 29, 2024 9:47 am

Thank you both for the feedback. I found "Fox and Hounds" as a pub 0.6 miles from the hotel so probably that one. There's also a reasonable amount of alternatives a couple of miles away so plenty of choice for the two weekends that we have there albeit with a group of around 20 it's always wise to book early and submit a pre-order.

When at the Rapidplay last March we ate at the Woodman, the food was okay but there was a limited choice from the menu; I suspect this was the case due to that pub being next to the golf course and is quiet after dark (especially in Jan as well), the Fox and Hounds is on a housing estate by the looks of it, so should be busier

I suspect walking to the Fox will be problematic, you'd have to walk on the road and pass the Woodman, that road is pitch black (mobile phones were out for lighting the way), it will be a 20-30 minute walk in my opinion

Alan Walton wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 29, 2024 12:53 pm

LawrenceCooper wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 29, 2024 9:47 am

Thank you both for the feedback. I found "Fox and Hounds" as a pub 0.6 miles from the hotel so probably that one. There's also a reasonable amount of alternatives a couple of miles away so plenty of choice for the two weekends that we have there albeit with a group of around 20 it's always wise to book early and submit a pre-order.

When at the Rapidplay last March we ate at the Woodman, the food was okay but there was a limited choice from the menu; I suspect this was the case due to that pub being next to the golf course and is quiet after dark (especially in Jan as well), the Fox and Hounds is on a housing estate by the looks of it, so should be busier

I suspect walking to the Fox will be problematic, you'd have to walk on the road and pass the Woodman, that road is pitch black (mobile phones were out for lighting the way), it will be a 20-30 minute walk in my opinion

Thanks for that info. It looks like the choice is the hotel buffet or a drive to one of the places a little further away. Or possibly both as we are there in April as well.

Division Four Round 3

41 Iceni 2 - - - The Full Ponty
42 Guildford Young Guns 1 - - - Warrington Mates
43 War and Piece A - - - Epsom
44 War and Piece B - - - Golden Cockerels
45 Barnet Knights C - - - Sussex Martlets 3
46 Celtic Tigers 3 - - - Shropshire & Friends
47 CSC/Kingston 3 - - - Barnet Knights D
48 Watford A - - - Peterborough United
49 Castell Nedd - - - Wessex B
50 Ashfield 2 - - - War and Piece C
51 Guildford Young Guns 2 - - - Oxford 3
52 Lisburn Chess Club - - - Crowthorne B
53 She Plays To Win Uni - - - English Deaf Chess Association
54 Ashfield 3 - - - She Plays To Win Kestrels
55 Watford B - - - Apprentice Woodpushers
56 She Plays To Win Falcons - - - Woody's Woodpushers

Table with War & Peace A the only team on 100%

https://www.4nclresults.co.uk/2024-25/m ... -div4.html. Third Weekend update.

War and Piece "A" (12/12) will meet 2nd placed and unbeaten Barnet Knights "C" (10/12) in a top of the table clash in Weekend 4. Equal 3rd place teams Golden Cockerels and Warrington Mates (both on 9/12) have already played and will therefore float down to the group on 8 points. Guildford Young Guns 1 and The Full Ponty who started Weekend Three on 6/8 lost both their games and now back in the pack. Watford "B" didn't appear so there was a three way match this weekend.