U1850 ECF Semi-Final: Essex 5½-10½ Yorks
At Syston Out-rated on all boards bar one, Essex had no answer to Yorks in an encounter for which Peter Nickals (for Essex) and Rupert Jones (for Yorks) had collaborated in the production of a trophy, the Philpott-Braham Trophy, commemorating two dedicated servants of their respective counties.
There had been media interest in the exploits of a newly-arrived young Ukranian chess-sponsored refugee, making his first county chess appearance through a further collaboration of the skippers. Fresh from winning the Durham Congress Minor he played Upminster’s young rising star who had the benefit of tough opposition in the Southend Congress Open. You can find their game in the U1850 page.
Links: ECA U1850 page | ECF U1850 on ECF LMS
U1450 ECF Semi-Final: Essex 10-2 Notts
The other Essex semi-final of the day was also a one-sided affair as Essex out-rated Notts on every board, winning 9-1 in decisive games with two draws.
In the Final Essex play Surrey who beat Kent 8½-3½ in the other semi-final.
Links: ECA U1450 page | ECF U1450 on ECF LMS
Essex-Surrey Finals The four rating-limited sections of the SCCU Championships were each dominated by Essex and Surrey. For the two sections in which Essex teams have qualified for the ECF County Championship Finals, this rivalry continues as in both cases, Surrey is the opposition.
Further SCCU involvement sees Middx-Yorks in the U1850 Final; a remarkable turnround for Middx, having finished bottom in the SCCU competition. Surrey have three teams in the finals, meeting Warks in the U1650 Final.
Links: ECA U1850 | ECA U1450 | Aggregate stats | ECF CC on ECF LMS