English Chess Forum

Good to see that Staffordshire have an under 100 team this season! A shame they lost heavily 11-1, but it appears that the captain has took the decision to play a mixture of junior players which I think is a sensible decision, and a few experienced players. It looks like we are already out though.

David Blower wrote:Good to see that Staffordshire have an under 100 team this season! A shame they lost heavily 11-1, but it appears that the captain has took the decision to play a mixture of junior players which I think is a sensible decision, and a few experienced players. It looks like we are already out though.

Yes, David, you're correct - Nottinghamshire plus either Warwickshire or Leicestershire will qualify. Nevertheless if you win your last match you can prevent Leicestershire from going forward. Even in an Under 100 competition you need some experienced players I think.

I'm sure that it will be a competitive match against Leicestershire if nothing else because they are all ECF graded matches.

About the team selection policy, its well known locally that Cheddleton & Leek have an excellent junior chess club, and that is where all 6 junior players who played against Nottinghamshire are from. They might as well play in an under 100 match than any other.

But yes you do need some experienced players. I think we have the balance right.

My current grade is 96, and assuming my grade doesn't go above 100 in January (although obviously I hope it does!) I might make myself available to play against Leicestershire.

David Blower wrote:My current grade is 96, and assuming my grade doesn't go above 100 in January (although obviously I hope it does!) I might make myself available to play against Leicestershire.

January grades are irrelevant, if your current grade is 96 you remain eligible for the U100 team for the whole season even if your January grade is 130

So if say the current grade of a player was 101, and then the January grade meant they went down to 99, they would still remain ineligible for the under 100 competition for the whole season.

David Blower wrote:So if say the current grade of a player was 101, and then the January grade meant they went down to 99, they would still remain ineligible for the under 100 competition for the whole season.

Yes