MxA vs. Yorkshire - Match Report

After last Saturday's events the criticism followed by the clamour to change to a new platform seemed to ring the death knell for the ECF's new venture an online county championship before it even had a chance to properly get off the ground. However after a successful round of group matches the ECF would be entitled to say the reports of its' death have been grossly exaggerated. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes life anew was breathed into the competition! 

Mx A's opening pairing was against the whipping boys of the group Cheshire and North Wales. The 2nd against their rival for the top spot, Yorkshire. Mx's pairings have ranged between extremes. Both teams recognised that a top place finished was favoured as this would mean playing the 2nd placed team in Division B probably one of Norfolk, Northumberland and Surrey. Mx had already faced the Northumbrians with effectively their 2nd team and achieved a creditable draw thus should Mx A face them in the SF they should hold no fear. Surrey are always a known quantity due to their annual contests in the SCCU and interesting clashes are always on the card. Norfolk on the other hand were an unknown quantity; Mx had not played Norfolk at this level since 1981. Of course Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire, Essex and Greater Manchester would be determined to upset the odds in the other group as would Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Warwickshire in this. It would also not hurt should they also meet in the Final as one team would have struck a psychological blow on the other. Your author gets ahead of himself as there are still many games to play and one never knows what twists and turns will develop but both teams knew even at this stage they were jockeying for position.

In recent years the National Stage of the physical County Championships has seen Mx and Yorkshire as frequent adversaries; Yorkshire have emerged victors on each and every occasion. Mx have just been found wanting as it had proven difficult to field a representative team. In this new venture for the first time in a long time Mx had an advantage - Mx Ave: 195 Yorkshire Ave: 184 Par Score: Mx win 7.5-4.5. However it is noted that Yorkshire have lost players when compared to their line-up against Leicestershire last Saturday most notably Andrew Ledger. The absence of these players took the edge of a clash between the two teams who would be considered the strongest in the group. A weakened Yorkshire would shift the odds in favour of a Mx victory, however even if the absent players were present Mx would still have been considered slight favourites. 

Having billed the match as clash between two of the realistic contenders for the overall title, it was vital that there were no slips as they could prove fatal. Mx seemed to have made an early slip when Yorkshire were awarded a default win. This is inexplicable on two grounds firstly, the non-match communication rule makes it impossible for captains to contact players to determine if they are at the board. Second, even if Mx were in danger of defaulting they had advised there was a substitute on standby. Thus to hear that the substitute was not contacted nor the captain advised of a problem is extremely disappointing. Needless to say this put Mx in arrears.  However any deficit was overcome when Tom and Simon secure the first points for Mx. The next few games sees the lead exchanged before match scores are tied. Tanmay scoring the only Mx point in the next 3 games to finish. Match tied 3-3. 

The match had reached its' halfway point and like the first half Yorkshire begins the second with a win. Yorkshire then extend lead so for once there was clear daylight between the teams. Mx though are a county not afraid of adversity and their tenacity shone through as Yorkshire failed to score another point not even a draw. Wins for Mirek and Jonny sees Mx pull level, Nev's win puts Mx ahead and Andrew Gilfillan makes Mx victory certain as the last game to finish. Mx come through an edgy encounter 7-5. Well done guys!

The games url's are provided below so that you can enjoy them at your leisure.

1. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5031476647
2. https://www.chess.com/live?#g=5031466765

3. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5031449472
4. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5031466045
5. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5031478092
6. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5031469940
7. Yorks win by default
8. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5031498129
9. https://www.chess.com/live#g=5031478669

10. https://www.chess.com/live?#g=5031458538

11. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5031472913
12. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5031472837

If there is one thing that is difficult to do adequately with this format of chess it is to observe games in play so that you can gain sense of how they and in turn the match is developing. This may be more a question of the functionality of the platform. In order to overcome this difficulty much was made of the ECF LMS in match score reporting. The idea was that players and captains alike would be able to have an idea of the current score by going to the fixtures page. Unfortunately, there were many times that the score displayed 0-0 even though results had been reported, hence your author's ability to accurately reflect Mx comeback victory. This vaunted idea works if and only if the arbiter is inputting details. It is therefore beholden on the Arbiter to be speedy about inputting results. The tardiness of arbiter's thus forces one to review the non-communication rule. Rule E.8.2 Captains and players should not communicate with players whilst a game is in progress unless that communication is necessitated by rule E.7 (Cheating or disconnection). Thus what can or cannot be communicated? When a player needs to know the current score and ECF LMS is not up to date if a captain uses County Club page to post match score is this acceptable? In physical matches players would naturally ask their captain for match score this exchange helps should there be a draw offer. If a captain is providing information that ECF LMS will be eventually reporting is this unacceptable? This also raises question about the rule about observing games. Even if ECF LMS is current if offered a draw with a few games to go how do you know whether to accept? In physical games a player will naturally take a walk around the playing area, review the positions of his team mates and then make decision. By denying player an opportunity to view his team mates games the accepting or refusal of a draw offer could be devastating. There are one or two areas that may still need to be clarified. Notwithstanding musing Mx secured the much needed win over a team that would be considered as a real contender not only for winning the group but the competition as a whole.

Other results:

Cheshire & North Wales vs. Lincolnshire Lincolnshire win 8-4

Devon vs. Leicestershire Devon win 8.5-3.5

League Standings:

See full results here

The embryonic table is already tight as 1.5GP's separate the top 3 teams. Mx and Yorkshire having played the toughest teams should be able to rest easy however Devon and Lincolnshire could be the dark horses of the group so should keep both honest.

Next Round 4th July

Mx A vs. Devon

Cheshire & North Wales vs. Yorkshire

Leicestershire vs. Lincolnshire