2023/2024 Season

[Mark Howitt]

I've written a bit more about the subject on another thread...

I guess with the free info I'll give here I might put on it or save it because quite valuable...

I think often the lower skill someone has the more need they have to educated- and sometimes they're willing to pay for it. School children are taught by teachers paid by taxpayers (if they're in the state sector) to read etc... someone with money and not much chess ability is more likely to pay for chess education.

[Stephen Westmoreland]

I have a very different view but that thank you for posting your points on a another thread and reserving this one for league matters.

[Mark Howitt]

Just to keep this thread on poooooooooinntt...

In terms of me playing this season it will be either Meltham, Dewb or Huddersfield

[Stephen Westmoreland]

Good idea Mark. We wouldn't want to de-rail a thread would we!

[Mark Howitt]

Interesting to see the results come in...

The world is so surreal my OTB rating is now higher than that of Roger Keely... I just hope I'm even alive at his age though

Comfortable win for York A even without their biggest hitters!

Huddersfield did take quite a strong team to Sheffield.

Looks like Doncaster have the strongest squad so far you'd say in division 3... clean sweep.

Part of me feels bad I'm not playing other parts know I need to do other things yet I will play again...

[Stephen Westmoreland]

Your OTB rating is provisional and based on winning a game Vs an under 1500. I do not think you can compare yourself to Roger.

I think the 'I will play again' and never ending search for a club has been done to death now. If you can reserve it for another thread (your coaching thread would be ideal), that would be awesome.

Thanks in advance.

[Mark Howitt]

Also v nice to see Steve Mann play his first OTB game in over 3 years!

[Mark Howitt]

wellllllllll stevie....

you can have your opinion, but the reality is my current OTB grade is 1840 and online I've beaten someone with black graded around 2292...

The world truly is surreal yet I reckon if I get focused and was in a good quiet environment... currently my online strength would be around 2200 to 2300...

In a nice quiet OTB environment after a bit of training (I'll only play OTB when I've trained and prepared properly) my OTB strength will be around 1900.

[Mark Howitt]

I can only beat what's put in front of me stevie

I don't mind you just selecting random young players who I've never seen before- in fact that's good because it could be challenging...

Even Adams can only beat what's put in front of him...

[Mark Howitt]

Just to clarify though for formal otb matches I'll know who I'm playing hopefully.... at some point will go to hudds library but difficult time as can be stewarding, proper Yorkshire matches, or other things...

[Mark Howitt]

And Stevie just so u know it's not a search for a club... the clubs are SEARCHING FOR ME

I turned down offer to play for Huddersfield because I didn't feel prepared enough. Hopefully I'll be ready in future.

I have offer to play in 4NCL.

[Stephen Westmoreland]

Perhaps post this 'content' on another thread Mark and leave this for the league.

Also, do not call me Stevie. I find it offensive.

[MartinCarpenter]

Well Woodhouse wise nothing dramatic happened - York, Hull and Sheffield all won in moderate comfort. Ilkley got their second drawn match. One match postponed.

York A vs B was moderately tense and pleasingly young overall. Nice to get the teams the right way round in the league table

York C are finding that a harder task with York D in the IMBrown!

The Bradford derby (?!) with Ilkley in two weeks looks important for relegation.

[Stephen Westmoreland]

York D are amazing. It is scary to see how this younger ones are leaping on passed us!

[Peter Ackley]

I spoke with one of the teams who asked you to play. They asked you to play as they were missing a player. You were asked to play on the basis that you had a pulse.

Your rating is based on one game. A larger sample would be needed to reach any solid conclusions about your abilities. Online ratings can be used but there's no direct correlation. I've been up to 2500 - I'm not a GM. Deviations of +/-300 are quite common.

As for only beating what is put in front of you in your case its more of (a) the players you are willing to play and (b) the clubs willing to play you.

To end on a positive note, Markie - I do agree with you it is good to see Steve Mann playing again. He does so much for free for Yorkshire chess. Maybe you might achieve that status someday.