2023/2024 Season

[Stephen Westmoreland]

Very much looking forwards to the new Yorkshire season and a huge thanks to Andrew Zigmond for yet again producing miracles with the fixtures. It is great to see all the new teams and fresh faces in the Silver Rook division 3.

Ilkley, Settle and Holmfirth are joined by Meltham and York E. Doncaster and Saltaire re-join the league, with the more established clubs at West Leeds, Harrogate, Bradford and Alwoodley.

I noted that Holmfirth have put through 33 players in the last two seasons, with the majority new into League play and many juniors. Meltham will pretty much be a fresh team and new faces should be appearing for Dewsbury. The league is a great example how chess is opening up and growing. Long may it continue.

[Andrew Wainwright]

So the 2023/2024 Season kicks off tomorrow with Yorkshire chess looking in fine form. We are up to 33 teams in the YCA league (across three divisions) and 20 teams in our u18s league. When we consider that in 2019 (pre-COVID) the YCA league consisted of 30 teams, and the u18s league didn't exist, this represents a 76.66% increase in teams playing in Yorkshire competitions since 2019.

Good luck to all of our teams this season, and let the fun commence!

[Stephen Westmoreland]

Huge shout out to Peter Catt today, who was in trouble and his much lower rates opponent had 50 seconds left on the clock, then forgot to press it. Peter reminded Colin and also got the draw. Great sportsmanship and Doncaster are an absolutely lovely team. Always welcome at Holmfirth (despite battering us!).

[Mark Howitt]

I'd like to meet Richard Desmmet again... he's a true gent And pretty good at chess and property

[Peter Ackley]

Just curious as to what level of offer you are hoping to receive?

[Roger de Coverly]

Just curious as to what level of offer you are hoping to receive?

At 1840, a guaranteed team place would be about the market value I would think, and that's only for a team weak by Yorkshire top division standards. Being a car driver and offering lifts would presumably add to the chances of being selected.

[Peter Ackley]

But, Roger, I'm asking what Mark believes he is worth, not what market rate would be,

[Andrew Zigmond]

Getting back on track most of the results for the first round are in and it was good to be adding some new players to various clubs and, in some cases, creating new entries altogether.

I've also started selection for my club for the next round in two weeks time and am slightly worried (famous last words) I may have more players than I have boards.

[Mark Howitt]

Just curious as to what level of offer you are hoping to receive?

At the moment I will be accepting -£3.50 in petrol costs when I have time...

[Mark Howitt]

Last post of day... but I looked at all results... I wish the Hudds town match had been on another day and I had the time/energy to prepare and play to show respect to my team...

It was v nice to see some old names back such as Roger Keely and Richard Boylan. Also Alan Walton is a good signing for Huddersfield that I had no clue would happen!

I don't know who God wants me to play for yet but rest assured any game I do play I will give 100%.

[Matt Mackenzie]

I suspect that should they exist, our deity has more pressing matters to attend to

[Stephen Westmoreland]

Well this page has been horrifically de-railed. Would it be possible for either Jack or Carl to clean this up please?

I may have to use other forums in future for updates, which would be a shame.

[Andrew Wainwright]

Well this page has been horrifically de-railed. Would it be possible for either Jack or Carl to clean this up please?

I may have to use other forums in future for updates, which would be a shame.

I agree with Steve. A thread about the 2023 YCA Season should be about that, and not any individual players general thoughts and feelings on any topic.

Mark - could you not please have a thread in your name where you post things about yourself rather than spreading this across several threads on unrelated topics?

Thanks

[MartinCarpenter]

Well the new season started last Saturday.

Sheffield clearly like the idea of winning, and crushed Bradford 8-0. They're very solid favourites this year.

Hull and York look to be the most plausible challengers. York are playing Harrogate this Saturday. Hull had a 4-4 draw vs a strong Leeds team. Calderdale look as solid as ever and had a close win vs Huddersfield.

Ilkley had their Woodhouse debut, with a close loss to York B. Ilkley do look good enough to do well this season though. Relegation could be very tight indeed.

I suppose Rose Forgrove must be heavy favourites for promotion from the IMB this year. Interesting to see how York D's mass of juniors go - they started with a 2-6 loss.

Very nice to see teams like Settle in the Silver Rook!

[Jon D'Souza-Eva]

Link to Division 1 table and results (links to other divisions at the top of the page):
https://mannchess.org.uk/YEvents/Division1.htm