All posts by John Smith

The first round of this year’s SNCL is on 27 October. I’ve sent an email to those players who I know have been interested in playing in the past. If you didn’t get this and would like to play, please get in touch – we try to give games to everyone who would like one at some stage during the SNCL season.

Both teams ended the SNCL season with draws – the first team against Edinburgh West and the second team against Stonehaven. The first team are champions of the SNCL, for the first time since 2001. The second team narrowly missed promotion, finishing third in division 2. My thanks and congratulations to all who took part.

Results of SNCL rounds 3 and 4 played at Dunfermline on 25 November.

In division 1, Edinburgh 1 beat Giffnock and Clarkston by 4:1 and Edinburgh Uni by 3:2. Edinburgh 1 leads the division.

In division 2, Edinburgh 2 lost to Glenrothes Kings by 3.5:1.5 and drew with CS BoS 1. Edinburgh 2 is in second place on board points.

Results of the first two rounds of SNCL played on 28 October were: in Division 1, Edinburgh 1 beat Dundee City A by 3:2 and Hamilton A by 3:2 – really good results against last years winners and runners up. In Division 2, Edinburgh 2 beat Kilmarnock 3:2 and Dundee City B by 4.5: 0.5. Individual results are posted on the Chess Scotland noticeboard.

A few first thoughts on whether we should be doing anything for the 200th anniversary in 10 years time and if so what. It seems to me that it would be nice, if we could, to organise at least one event that would make some sort of impact on the chess world, but I guess that’s the first question – do members have enough time, interest and enthusiasm to put something like that together. Or would people just prefer things that the membership could participate in? Then we get to the question of cost – we’re not going to host top GMs without some sizeable sponsorship. If possible, could we do a variety of events – perhaps a few visits, talks, or simuls for the members, perhaps a special local league event(s) to involve other Edinburgh players, and then school visits or a children’s tournament to encourage juniors? It would be nice to know how members feel about it. As an aside we should perhaps also be thinking about redecorating the premises if we’re going to put ourselves on show to the world. Please share your thoughts.

A new season and this year we start with a team in the top division! and one in the second. So hopefully tough opposition should be available to all wanting to play. If you’d like to play in SNCL and you haven’t been emailed by me in the past for each match, please let me know (johnssmith@blueyonder.co.uk). I’ll send out an email for teams for the first sncl day, which is at the end of October, in a few weeks. John