ECFOLCC Major Open: Devon 9½-2½ Essex
On chess.com – At U175/U180 level, Essex has a 100% record against Devon from six meetings, all of which, however, felt like on a knife-edge. Online at Open level, however, is another matter, Devon being led off by GM Keith Arkell and followed by FM Claridge-Hanson and IM Gary Lane. The Essex Board 1, FM PotatoeTheCat, held Keith Arkell to a draw. Essex managed draws on the bottom two boards and a solitary win on Board 4. Devon won the other eight boards for a thumping 9½-2½ win. There was a strange situation on Board 8, where IR managed to play someone other than his sepcified opponent. Consequently, the Arbiter levied a default win for his stated opponent who did not receive the expected challenge. Bizarre. Essexdraws and win:
ECFOLCC U1825 Championship: Northumberland 5½-6½ Essex
On chess.com – The news from the other section was much happier, with Essex getting the decision over Northumberland by the narrowest margin, wiith five wins to four and three draws. In the Final, Essex will meet Lincolnshire who beat Middx by 6½-5½. The Final will be played on 22 August. Essex draws and wins:
East Saxons success in National 100
National 100: Northern Raiders 7½-8½ East Saxons
On chess.com – In the National 100, the new regional online team competition, the East Saxons won a close battle with the Northern Raiders, played over 16 boards, with a late surge of Saxon interest. The 11-strong Essex contingent played on boards 2, 3, 5-6, 9-11, 13-16 and made up nearly 70% of this Regional team encompassing Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Wins by Essex players: