Tournament Calendar

THE race is on, albeit in a somewhat tentative way, to host Britain's first over-the-board, post-covid slow-play tournament.

I know of four runners-and-riders who, to mix a metaphor, have thrown their hats into the ring.

First to go public with their plans were the 4NCL, who have scheduled a weekend congress for early July and plan to resume their main league in November.

But the 4NCL may be pre-empted by London's summer one-game-a-week evening congress held in Pimlico.

Much depends on the government in England sticking to its target of lifting all covid restrictions on June 21, but here is what I know so far.

Jul 1 - Aug 5 Pimlico Summer Tournament. To be held over six consecutive Thursday evenings at the Lalgra community hall in Pimlico, Westminster. Details may appear online later but so far organiser Nick Faulks has said the event which, despite its name, is usually divided into three tournaments, will be restricted to 54 entrants

Jul 9-11 25th 4NCL Congress, Woodland Grange, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. https://www.4ncl.co.uk/

Sep 24-26 57th Northumberland Congress, North Shields, Tyne & Wear. https://northumberlandchess.wixsite.com/congress

Oct 1-3 Castle Chess are holding a twice-postponed congress at the Lysses House Hotel, Fareham, Hants. I can find no information at http://www.castlechess.co.uk/ but the likely format is an open, an U155 and an U115. Organiser Tony Corfe has announced: "Each player will be required to bring their own chess set and each player will make moves on their own board, just as you would if you are playing against a blind player."

Nov 20-21 Return of 4NCL divisional fixtures, starting with Division 3 South at Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, Division 3 Central at Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, and Division 3 North at Doncaster, South Yorkshire. https://www.4ncl.co.uk/