English Chess Forum

Perhaps the reason was that Fischers' Catch had already played West is Best. It was an exceptionally lucky draw for us, but I like to think we earned it!

Paul Cooksey wrote: ↑

Tue May 07, 2019 2:40 pm

I'll join this show of hands for a vote of thanks, I think division 4 is probably the hardest work because of the pairings.

(In passing - championes, championes, ole, ole, ole)

Agree; and well done to you and your team

If it is anything like Div 3N, the pairings are ok until a team (or more) withdraws from a weekend

Congratulations in order too (I hope) to the runners-up who finished with a higher score than the two joint winners in 2017/18.

Also a fine performance from Barnet Knights 5 who didn't show up at all in the season but still managed to finish third from bottom with two teams below them.

Phil Neatherway wrote: ↑

Tue May 07, 2019 3:01 pm

Yes, Crowthorne were clearly the strongest team in Division 4. We expected Oxford 3 to paired with Crowthorne in Round 11, when there would most likely have been a very different outcome for us.
It was a bit strange that Oxford 3, challenging for promotion, played West Is Best 3 with average rating on the day 1642, whereas Oxford 4, several places lower in the table, played MK Phoenix 2, average rating 1895.

It was one of those inevitable moments when a team that has performed well over a season has a lower rated team out for the final weekend- WIB 3 were challenging for promotion until the final weekend and a couple of the players who were fielded have been turning out for WIB 4 (and performing exceptionally well for them) up until that point. After 10 rounds, I guess some asymmetry is also inevitable with the Swiss system by round 11.

Neil Graham wrote: ↑

Tue May 07, 2019 10:30 pm

Congratulations in order too (I hope) to the runners-up who finished with a higher score than the two joint winners in 2017/18.

Yes, well done Neil, hope you enjoy Div 3S next season, though you're always welcome back in Div 3N

well done all especially Neil and paul. I have appreciated our chats each weekend.
West Is Best 4 not playing last weekend hence some players in the West Is Best 3 team with lower rating. thanks to the wib player that gave me a lift each match and in the last weekend julian way for his surbiton debut. Will stills owes me that intro beer.
maybe some may want to play in Div 3N if the venue moves further south.
having 3 teams in final weekend was a highlight for csc.

Oxford's 4 teams had 58 players turn out this season

Nick Burrows wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 10:17 pm

Oxford's 4 teams had 58 players turn out this season

I had the impression that where the venues such as Reading, Sunningdale or Daventry were within easy reach, that the Oxford team selection used "county match" principles, such that players were mostly just expected to play one match per weekend.

The Oxford 2,3 and 4 teams are based on a core of regulars, including 1 player who played 7 times although living in Brussels! We had several others who played 8 times or more.

But there are plenty of players who played only once a weekend and others who played occasionally.

Roger de Coverly wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 11:49 pm

Nick Burrows wrote: ↑

Fri May 10, 2019 10:17 pm

Oxford's 4 teams had 58 players turn out this season

I had the impression that where the venues such as Reading, Sunningdale or Daventry were within easy reach, that the Oxford team selection used "county match" principles, such that players were mostly just expected to play one match per weekend.

My geography isn't great; will the first 3 weekends being at Maidenhead/Windsor next season alter this?

Maidenhead is relatively near to Oxford as well. Bourne End is only 3 or 4 miles away, I think. Perhaps it's time for Roger to start an Airbnb business?

Chess themed bedroom, evening lectures on political structures within English Chess - how do I book?