Saturday 14 August, 1:30 pm, Wanstead House
By Mark Murrell
As part of the Essex Chess Association’s pre-season Back to Real Chess Festival, the Club played host to a scratch team of Essex county players who missed out on selection for the Essex 1600 (average team rating) team, participating in the ECF’s pre-season County Challenge competition for 8 board teams with an average team rating maxima of 1600 in the Minor and 2000 in the Major.
Originally billed as an eight board match between Wanstead & Woodford and Essex saw a flurry of team changes in the 24 hours before the match. A medical withdrawal (non-covid) saw a reduction to seven boards and a player switch from the Essex squad to level up the teams, an unexpected Essex arrival at match start saw the eighth board reinstated only for a no-show for the visitors being filled by a Wanstead junior, promoted from the Juniors Tournament being held in the Boaden Hall. All taken in his stride by organiser, Peter Nickals.
A close match on ratings and on play (all moves in 1hr 45 mins plus 15 second increments), with the Essex squad emerging victorious. Essex All Over 5–3 Wanstead & Guest.
There will be further team match opportunities for Essex on 4th and 25th September when Essex teams take on teams from Kent almost simultaneously at Wanstead House (1:30 pm) and at St Anselms in Dartford (12:30 pm). If you are interested in playing for the Essex Average Team Rated 2000 or 1600 teams on these dates, contact Peter Nickals.
We also have the challenge match against East Ham at the Club on Tuesday 14 September to look forward to.
Links: Festival Report | Matchcard