Heidenfeld 2015/16

cdeb

Discussion thread for the minnows' league.

Three Rathmines teams will be interesting; you'd have to imagine they'll either be promoted or relegated (or both).

I reckon Rathmines and Blanch to go up. Celbridge and Elm Mount to push them close; maybe Inchicore A too if they can keep their form from last year. Ballinasloe have a 2000 on board 1 - though whether they have a board 7/8 is another question.

At the bottom, the two promoted teams look strong. So maybe Phibsboro and one of Inchicore B or Lucan?

So after all that, I think I've predicted most of the league in there somewhere - I can hardly be wrong!

League table is here

A.Sanchez

There is no way Ballinasloe aren't going up and we will very easily fill out a squad of 8 bottom board probably about 1500. In fact wouldn't be surprised to see Rathmines languish in division 2 cause I can see Ballinasloe and Blachardstown making it another 1-2 for the 3rd time in a row.

checknraise

I make Rathmines G comfortable favourites for promotion, between Blanchardstown and Ballinasloe for 2nd.

A.Sanchez

Rathmines have lots of decent players 1700's but only 2 1800 and 1 1900. Ballinasloe's team is way way better than that.

cdeb

Have ye new players from last year?

1500 isn't that strong on board 8. And the second highest rated player last year was 1770, which puts ye behind Rathmines already.

A.Sanchez

Well theres a good few players whose ratings are inaccurate.

Retd.LoyolaCpt

The blanch team are very strong and only getting stronger. All you have to do is look at Rudolf's rating last year compared to this year. Gained 3-400 points with something like 10/11. I wasn't playing in that league last year but it looks like 3-4 teams could already be stronger than the bottom 3-4 in Armstrong. Rathmines will have a tough time going up with lack of subs from fielding 3 teams in one division

Past_Pawn_99

If you take fide ratings we've got 1800+ down to board 6

Looking forward to this season, 2 extra boards will make things more interesting. Hopefully it ends well for us :P

RQ_ennis_chess

I think Blanchardstown look very strong this year too and I hear they have added to last seasons squad. As an occasional Ballinasloe player I am not sure I quite share Sanchez' optimisim above but we'll see!

sinbad68

Neither Ballinasloe or Cavan are located in Leinster, Could someone explain to me how & why these teams got in LCU leagues ?. The away games to these two clubs is a headache for other Leinster located clubs. Did anyone object about this in the past? any history of this would be helpful.

cdeb

Ballinasloe play in Athlone, which is in Leinster.

There is no Ulster League, and afaik Cavan historically (in the 70s) played in the Leinster Leagues. They had a spell out of the leagues before rejoining five or six years ago. I think, anyway.

Past_Pawn_99

Lucan 2.5 - 5.5 Blanchardstown

Chessrookie

Good result for Lucan. They have a lot of experienced players on their squad. Where Blanchardstown missing some of your big guns?

Past_Pawn_99

We gave a walkover on board 8 and Lucan intelligently put there board 1 on board 2 (within 150 ofc) to dodge our FM.

Bad Bishop

Ballinasloe 5-3 Malahide

flipsake

Inchicore B 5.5 Ballinasloe 2.5
Ballinasloe were missing a few of their big guns but still a much needed result for us.

RQ_ennis_chess

Ballinasloe doing a bit better this time out against Inchicore A 4-0 up with 4 games still in progress

Bad Bishop

Ended up Ballinasloe 6.5-1.5 Inchicore

Past_Pawn_99

Rathmines B (really their A team :P) 5.5 - 2.5 Blanchardstown

John Delaney loosing his first league game in 4 years, has been dropped for rest of the season!

flipsake

Last 2 results in Round 4
Inchicore A 3.5 4.5 Celbridge
Inchicore B 4 4 Lucan

Good round for Malahide.

Bad Bishop

Celbridge 0.5 - 6.5 Ballinasloe. One board to play.

flipsake

Phibsboro 4.5 Inchicore B 3.5
Lucan 2 Inchicore A 6

Any word on the final game in the Celbridge-Ballinasloe match?

Bad Bishop

Celbridge-Ballinasloe final board a draw so ended up 1-7

Rathminor

Rathmines A 1.5 Celbridge 5.5 (1 match postponed)
Malahide 6.5. Rathmines C 1.5

Tough night.

flipsake

Inchicore A 4-4 Phibsboro
Inchicore B 0.5-7.5 Rathmines B
Ouch!

A.Sanchez

Ballinasloe beat Lucan 5-3 in the previous round and are 4-2 against Phibsboro with 2 boards deferred due to clash with Gonzaga Chess Classic.

flipsake

Rathmines C 5.5 Inchicore B 2.5

Rathminor

Inchicore A 6:2 Rathmines C
Inchicore B 1:6 Blanchardstown (Board 1 still to play)

Bad Bishop

Ballinasloe 4.5-3.5 Rathmines B

A.Sanchez

Gonna go down to the wire for 2nd place.

cdeb

Is it?

Rathmines B have a 5½ point lead at the moment - that's huge. They play two of the lower teams (Lucan and Phibsboro) while Ballinasloe have to play leaders Blanch.

Looks like Blanch and Rathmines B will be promoted handy enough.

But entirely possible I'm missing something!