18th August 2020

In view of the continuing restrictions resulting from Covid-19, the committee has reviewed the options for (i) finishing the 2019-20 season, (ii) holding the 2020 AGM, and also (iii) prospects for the 2020-21 season.

(i) Finishing the 2019-20 season
As there appears to be no early prospect of being able to resume over the board chess, the committee have decided to curtail the 2019-20 season. The option of trying to resume the season at a later date was considered, but in view of the time gap since the last matches were played, and the uneven number of matches still to be played by each team, it was felt that this was not practical. However, as there remains only one match in the Knock-out competition, it is hoped that it will be possible to re-schedule this.

Given that the league for 2019-20 was relatively close to completion at the time of suspension, the committee have decided that final league tables should be based on performance to date.

Two methods were considered for fairly determining final league positions: (a) % of match points scored by each team for matches actually played and (b) assuming each unplayed match would be a draw, and adding up these notional results to existing match points scored. Analysis of the two methods showed very little difference in outcome, with promotion and relegation positions being the same. The committee have decided to use method (a) and the resultant tables are shown on the attached spreadsheet (this is, incidentally, similar to the approach used by the English Football League divs 1 and 2). As always, actual promotion and relegation will depend on the number of entrants we have for the next season to be played.

The best player tankards will be awarded taking into account the number of matches actually played by each team. Final league tables can be found here

(ii) 2019-20 AGM
The committee will seek to arrange an AGM as soon as it is safe and practical to do so. We considered the possibility of holding an online AGM, but at this point do not feel that this is likely to be a satisfactory approach, due to the practicalities involved with a relatively large number of people, and also because of the risk of disenfranchising those that may not have online access.

(iii) 2020-21 Season
There currently appears to be little chance of resuming over the board league chess until at least very late 2020, and more likely early 2021, given probable continuation of social distancing measures. In particular, the committee are conscious of venue restrictions for clubs, the need to car share for away matches, and the needs of players that may have particular health vulnerabilities. It may then be a challenge to devise a competition schedule that will be appropriate for a truncated 2020-21 season. At this point, it is not possible to be definitive, but options might include running the Knock-out competition as usual, or possibly running some form of one-off mini league competition, rather than attempting to run the league proper. This would very much depend on the timing of resumption and the restrictions / challenges remaining for each club. We will also have to take note of any advice / instruction issued by the ECF The committee will continue to monitor the situation as it develops over the next weeks and months, and in the meantime, offer our best wishes to all in these trying times.

8th April

MSCL Tournament on LiChess

ATTN: Team Captains. Start at 7pm end 10pm. Here is the link for tonight's challenge

Any suggestions for improvement please post on the team page

I have challenged Bognor to an online LiChess Battle and they have accepted. No date or pack drill yet but I was hoping more teams will join us. All you need to do is create your team page and invite your members to join.

It would be great to see Sussex the hotbed of online chess during this crisis. We could maybe run our very own County Online Championship or with a bit of organising dare I say it online leagues.

David Fryer

16th March

URGENT NEWS: League suspended

In view of current events, including the advice of the ECF that evening leagues should be suspended, and the fact that some of our member clubs have already decided to curtail their activities, all MSCL matches are suspended from today, until further notice.

I also note the following comments that the BBC website has just posted, following the Prime Minister's remarks this afternoon:

"Now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel," the prime minister says.

As there can be no certainty when matches will be able to resume, no decision will be taken on how best to conclude the league season until the situation is clearer; the league AGM is provisionally planned for June 30th; should this go ahead, this may be an opportunity to agree the right way forward.

Best wishes to everybody in these difficult times.

Peter

19th December

Julie Denning to stand down

For personal and family reasons Julie had to conclude that the time has come for her to stand down from remaining chess admin tasks and asks others to take the up.

19th December

Reminders for captains

A few reminders for Mid-Sussex league captains regarding mobile phones, nominations and arranging fixtures.

4th December

Martin Costley (Lewes Chess Club)

The funeral will be on Monday 16th December, at 11am, at Woodvale Crematorium, Brighton, BN2 3QB. Wake afterwards at Shelley’s Hotel, Lewes, BN7 1XS. All who knew Martin welcome.

Enquiries etc. please email the secretary of Lewes Chess Club.

4th December

Nominations updated

Changes to Brighton's 2nd and 3rd teams

15th November

Martin Costley (Lewes Chess Club)

Is with great sadness that Lewes Chess Club post news of stalwart member Martin Costley, who died on Tuesday 12th November following a long illness.

15th November

Default Penalty Points

New dedicated page created detailing penalty points incured and reasons why.

27th October

Recording of games to the finish

Captains please inform players of their requirement to keep scoring at all times, they can no longer stop recording with only 5 mins to go and must keep an accurate score sheet, 'Rule 7.4'.

22nd October

Draw for the MacArthur Cup

The draw for the MacArthur Cup has now taken place, holders Brighton have been drawn at home to Haywards Heath, whilst last year's runners up Hastings will be away to Horsham. All matches to be played before 29th February 2020.

12th October

League points system change

The rules for points awarded winning a match in the league have changed. It is now 2pts for a win, 1pt for a draw and zero points for a defeat rather than 1,½,0 respectively.

10th October

Entries open for MacArthur Cup and Paul Watson Trophy

See side bar for more information on entering teams into either of these competitions

9th October

Uckfield and Sussex Uni kick off the season

The first match of the 19/20 season has been played and the results have already been submitted to the LMS.

Welcome to the new season

The MSCL committee has decided to keep the number of leagues to 3 this season again, in view of the reduction in overall team entries by 1 or 2

There will be 11 teams in each division again this season

New Team

Bexhill join the league this season after many years of absence, they'll be fielding a single team and start in league division 3, replacing Brighton and Hove 5. We wish them a warm welcome to the Mid-Sussex league

New Match reporting and statistics

In keeping with other chess leagues in the country, we will now be using the ECF League Management System for the recording of all match results and generation of statistics and league tables. Match captains will now directly access the LMS rather than submit match cards. Leagues tables will now update in real time.

Archive

Results, documents etc for the past season have been moved to the archive section

Club Pages

Links to club pages can now be found on the home page of the ECF League Management System.