Seven weeks into Nottinghamshire Chess Association’s 2024/25 league season we are pleased to report that RBCC’s four teams have made encouraging starts in their respective divisions.
The club’s overall results are: Played 11 Won 7 Drawn 1 Lost 3 For 26 Against 18.
First team (Division 2)
Thanks to the ‘fixture computer’ RB1 have played more matches than any other team in Division 2. Early days but they are currently unbeaten (P4 W3 D1 L0) and are the early leaders. This included a narrow win over Ashfield 1, the first time the two teams had met in over two decades. Three tough fixtures await in the run up to Christmas.
16 September: RB1 2 1⁄2 – 1 1⁄2 West Bridgford 2
24 September: Beeston 1 2 – 2 RB1
9 October: Grantham 2 1 1⁄2 – 2 1⁄2 RB1
14 October: RB1 2 1⁄2 – 1 1⁄2 Ashfield 1
Second team (Division 3)
Unlike the first team, RB2 have played just two matches to date. A mixed bag: a narrow loss against West Nottingham 2 was followed by a convincing win against Newark 2. Team captain, Nick London, has taken the opportunity to give a number of players their first taste of action in the 2024/25 season, seven different players having represented RB2 so far.
24 September: West Nottingham 2 2 1⁄2 – 1 1⁄2 RB2
14 October: RB2 3 1⁄2 – 1⁄2 Newark 2
Third team (Division 5)
Having narrowly missed out on promotion last season, we have high hopes for RB3. So far they haven’t disappointed, winning both of their opening matches, the first of which was ‘away’ against RB4. Last season that match ended in a 2-2, a result that ultimately cost RB3 promotion to Division 4.
16 September: RB4 ½ – 3 ½ RB3
8 October: Gambit 7 1 ½ – 2 ½ RB3
Fourth team (Division 5)
This is only the second season that we have fielded a fourth team. Significantly outgraded by their opponents in the first two fixtures, they found their feet with a clean sweep against Gambit 7 in their most recent match.
16 September: RB4 ½ – 3 ½ RB3
1 October: Beeston 2 3 – 1 RB4
21 October: RB4 4 – 0 Gambit 7
Full match reports have been circulated by team captains to members via e-mail.