Leinster chess union website

Eugene Donohoe

Curious to know if anyone has any info on above? I'm getting a "this account has been suspended" message? TIA.

macelligott

Leinsterchess webpage

https://www.chessleague.uk/

Eugene Donohoe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118050848#Comment_118050848

Thanks Gerry.

RooksPawn

There's still no announcement on the LCU site about how the 2019/20 season is to be closed out, or how leagues might resume.

To be fair, I guess it's impossible to plan but the committee might put up some kind of announcement about what their ideas are, or to invite submissions.

In view of the recent Covid trends, the provisionally scheduled National Club Championship in late November must be in doubt, and surely there can be no league revival until 2022.

So perhaps it's a good time to revive plans for alternative structures. For example, a national league championship played on weekends like 4NCL in Britain?

Or separate weekday (greater Dublin clubs only) and weekend (whole of Leinster) divisions for when inter-club play resumes?

L1m1tless

I beleive the 2019/2020 Leagues have been decided by average match score.

There is an EGM happening on the 29th November to discuss the start of the 2021/2022 League with a slightly different structure to accomodate the shorter season

There was an E-mail sent out to all Clubs.

2019/2020 Outcome

Armstrong

Champions - Gonzaga

Relegated - Dublin University and Blanchardstown

Heidenfeld

Champions - Malahide

Also promoted - Dún Laoghaire

Relegated - Curragh, Skerries

Ennis

Champions - UCD

Also promoted - Gonzaga

Relegated - Rathmines A, Dublin University.  (Note Dublin University are relegated to the Bodley in accordance with rule 5.9, and an additional team will be promoted from the BEA and Bodley as a result)

O'Hanlon

Champions - Kilkenny

Also promoted - Portmarnock

Relegated - Malahide B, Malahide A, Blanchardstown

BEA North

Champions - Finglas

Also promoted - Drumlish

Relegated - Balbriggan, Malahide

BEA South

Champions - Kilkenny

Also promoted - Gonzaga

Relegated - Curragh, Rathmines

Bodley North

Champions - Dundalk

Also promoted - Drumlish B

Bodley South

Champions - UCD

Also promoted - Dublin, Celbridge (having a higher points-per-game total than Naomh Barróg, the third-place team in the Bodley North)

cdeb

Correct. If any clubs didn't get the email (and I know the vast majority did because they've been replying), get in touch because we might have old contact details.

The website just needs a penny in the meter; overlooked given recent inactivity but should be back shortly. In the meantime, all the tables are still there

cdeb

EGM now moved to Zoom due to increasing incidences of covid.

It'll probably be a quick enough meeting, but hopefully it'll allow us be ready to start into an agreed something when restrictions finally do bugger off.

RooksPawn

Does the Leinster Chess Union still exist and if so who is running it?

The website has not been updated since April 2020, it seems and is just full of totally out of date pages:

http://www.leinsterchess.com/

We seek in vain for any information about the City of Dublin Championships, for which the ICU calendar has reserved the weekend 2-4 September. Maybe the clash with Electric Picnic is causing a problem (NOT).

No information about an LCU agm online either. No information about the possible resumption of league chess, or even just some attempt to find out which clubs still exists in Leinster?

Nor is it just LCU.

Now the Irish Championships are over, we are looking at a desert for those (apart from elite juniors) who want to play competitive chess.

The weekend of 16-18 September is a mystery. The ICU website has a contradiction: both saying the new Catholic University School congress (originally announced for May, then vanished) will be on then, "details to follow."

But now it also says that weekend id available for somebody else to organise a congress: "If interested in organising a weekender this weekend please contact secretary@icu.ie.! This seems to imply the CUS is not happening though it is listed beneath.

cdeb

All clubs have been contacted about the AGM (which is on the 20th), so your club secretary should have details. This is the usual means of communication for the AGM as the LCU is technically a club body rather than an individual one, and because we request nominations/motions from clubs. Both of these lend themselves to direct communication with clubs rather than an online announcement (as the ICU, a member body, does)

Clubs have been kept up to date on the leagues resumption (including in this very thread) and I see no reason why the new season won't start in late Sept as per normal. This will be discussed at the AGM - in particular of course we need clubs to confirm how many teams they will have, as we expect there to be some changes from last time.

The City of Dublin is still tentative at the moment, as per the ICU site. The LCU is seeking a tournament controller to help make it happen, and if you want to put yourself forward, that'd certainly be considered.

Chessleague.uk has details for all the recent Cup and online competitions; I don't know why there's two sites - that's a quirk of Peter Scott, who set the sites up, but it's all there.

There hasn't really been much else to say since April 2020 to be honest. As per above, all the main correspondence has been directly with clubs by e-mail, because two-way comms have been needed.

RooksPawn

Thanks for the update cdeb.

I'm glad to hear the leagues are expected to resume though I'm not in a club and don't expect to play.

As for seeking a tournament controller for the City of Dublins, if that's the problem, you shouldn't be fishing for one here.

For the events to be rated by FIDE, as I'm sure you are well aware (but some readers of this forum probably won't be), the Chief Arbiter needs to be an arbiter licensed by FIDE: either IA (of whom Ireland has only two active, neither in Dublin), or FA or NA. As there would be no titles on offer an NA is sufficient so long as he or she has plenty of experience.

A full list of qualified arbiters from all countries can always be found on the FIDE website.

It's a lot of work and long hours running an event like this. So really it is up to the LCU committee to contact one or more of the eligible arbiters and see who is available at whatever venue you have in mind and on whatever terms you are offering.

Though with multiple sections you probably need two or three energetic assistants with a good knowledge of the rules who could be seeking norms for NA if they are not already NAs in training for the Fide Arbiter title. The ICU chairman said yesterday that he hopes to be organising another arbiter seminar in the next few months.

cdeb

The tournament controller position on the LCU committee is the person to do the organising of the event (ie setup, promotion, organisation, etc) That's what we're looking for.

So still happy to take your name for the position.

spidersweb

Leinster Chess? Leinster Chess Union? Yeah that rings a bell alright?

Part of the UK now though perhaps? Lexit and covid19-84 and all that jazz?

RooksPawn

The FIDE Handbook makes a clear distinction between the roles of the tournamemt organiser and the arbiter.

If you are expecting somebody to do both, no wonder you have no takers.

cdeb

Not expecting someone to do both. I think my last post was fairly clear about that.

So will I put you down for it or...?

spidersweb

Fide rating such events is recent relatively speaking. Arguably just dont bother with Fide rating events held over weekends and have 6 games not 5? I mean,personally I want and prefer Fide rated but for many, maybe most it is no big deal for weekend chess and maybe until chess has got back on its feet keep things simple and easy, without the hassle.

Honestly dont know myself but encouraging people to just play chess and make it easier to organize that might be a better approach, if only for a while. It is not by any means just chess that is struggling to get back to how it was. Patience and tolerance would reward the chess community build itself back up.

Joedryan

I dont see the point in FIDE rating weekenders personally, didnt used to be allowed but I guess they put some loop hole now.

Still, not worth the effort really.

RooksPawn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119324574#Comment_119324574

What was done in recent years was to play a 5-round FIDE rated Masters alongside six-round tournaments (3 games on the Saturday) that are rated only by ICU.

It's not possible to run three rounds in a day at the 90/30 time limit and comply with the maximum 12 hour rule.

**

No I am not interested in running these events in any capacity. Too old for it and I would prefer to play.

Joedryan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119328396#Comment_119328396

I guess that if there is a market for it then the 5 rd FIDE rated is fine, 6 rounds is a bit savage on a Saturday anyway.

My point was that if the logistics of getting a tournament FIDE rated is blocking events taking place then I dont see the FIDE rating as anything essential personally.

Eugene Donohoe

I guess I'm coming to an age where I find six game weekenders overly tiring and would definitely prefer a five rounder now, regardless of FIDE issues. I suspect more in my age group would probably prefer two games on a Saturday over three, the third one on Saturday being somewhat gruelling energy wise.

RooksPawn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119329735#Comment_119329735

I know what you mean, but once you have only five rounds the events tend to be FIDE rated as we had last weekend.

In a six-rounder there is usually an option to take a half point bye on Saturday evening. Then you go into round five fresh against a tired opponent.

Eugene Donohoe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119330502#Comment_119330502

Yes that's true and I'll probably take that option in future.

sodacat11

With the mad petrol prices and the difficulty travelling around Dublin by car because of all the stupid cycle lanes, 30k zones and traffic congestion is it time to split the Armstrong and Heidenfeld into Nort and South sections as they have in some of the lower leagues? The top two in each group could then contest a semi final and final at the end of the league phase.

Past_Pawn_99

Any news from the AGM?

cdeb

Not really. There were no motions. Half the committee (three) stood down and one person came on to replace them. And we're checking with the clubs to see who's still around (and how many teams they have) as we expect more change than usual for the Leinster Leagues.

Past_Pawn_99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119502628#Comment_119502628

Thanks for the update!

RooksPawn

Is there a new website for the Leinster leagues with any up-to-date information?

It looks as if http://www.leinsterchess.com/ was last updated in April 2020.

cdeb

Leagues fixtures are going up on chessleague.net (I think LeinsterChess.com has been a mirror site for the past couple of years, though I don't know why). The hosting company has a server issue, so the site is down at the moment, but when it's back up, the leagues will be getting underway. (They don't tend to start until the end of September anyway)

RooksPawn

Thanks for the info. Yes I did find that chessleague.net non-site and was wondering what was happening there.

cdeb

Site is back up now with the top five divisions. I think there's been a couple of changes to the divisions even in recent days, so might be a couple of adjustments and can then add fixture dates.

cdeb

And fixture dates are up.

Best of luck all!

sodacat11

Every Armstrong team that has to play Ballinasloe away is at a severe disadvantage because of the difficulty in finding players who want to travel such a long distance, (yes yes I know that they play in Athlone, that's far enough). Ballinsaloe are very slow to rearrange matches too because they know that the "distance card" is their best chance of avoiding relegation. To add insult to injury Ballinasloe is in Connaught NOT Leinster so shouldn't even be in the Leinster League.

OissíneM

Hi Peter, I don't think that's fair of you to say.

If someone wants to play chess travelling is a normal part of the process. Playing one game only is enjoyable, and especially if it's a fide rated game it's worth travelling down the motorway for it. Keep in mind that it can easily take 30 min plus to travel from one Dublin club to another, and it's only 50 minutes extra each way to athlone. That's not a massive undertaking or pain like you made it out to be. If you win you could be up 8-10 fide points. Not bad for a days work. It shouldn't be too much trouble having to do this once per year, I don't mind travelling up from Galway to Dublin to play my games.

We are generally quite good at re-arranging matches, we even forfeited out last home game and played it in elm mount instead. Your experience this time might be more difficult due to it being Christmas and the busy chess calendar for January. Every weekend for the next 3 weeks after the 14th there is a tournament coming up, so it's more difficult to re-arrange games. I've been unable to play twice this season, and on both occasions I've offered to go up to Dublin and play on our opponents club nights. Both times this was rejected. Our captain is trying to accommodate everyone to the best of his ability, but organising everything can be a tough task.

It's nonsense to say we are using the "distance card" to avoid relegation. We are currently closer to the top of the table then the bottom. On our roster we have an IM, an FM, and a 2200. We're no pushovers.

In terms of allowing ballinasloe to play; well as you pointed out we play our home games in athlone, which is in Leinster. If you want to create a league just for Dublin you are more than welcome. Additionally, it's very tough to get high quality fide games in the west. So playing in the Leinster league allows players from the west to get a better shot at improving. It's not fair if we are just forgotten about or kicked to the side so that you can save having to travel an extra hour and a half once per year.

sodacat11

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120062616#Comment_120062616

Hi Oissine

You make fair points but it annoys me that our closest rivals in the Armstrong, Gonzaga, Benildus, Elm Mt got to postpone fixtures because their players are playing in the 4NCL or wherever but when we want to do the same because we have players playing in Prague or unavailable for other very valid reasons we don't get the same treatment.

Anyway, my new year resolution is not to get angry about the various injustices in Irish chess and to stop banging my head against a brick wall in my efforts to change them.

sodacat11

Ballinasloe 6.5 v Ratmines Knights of Eanna .5 (one walkover). Kinda proves my point, and we won't be the only team that fails to field our strongest team in such a far flung place.

macelligott

still no result posted for Gonzaga A v Dun Laoghaire which was scheduled to be played on January 14th. That’s three weeks ago 🙄

sodacat11

Gonzaga, like Elm Mount and Benildus are allowed to postpone games until they have their full strength teams available. Rathmines Knights arenb't allowed the same facilitation even when we have 7 of our top 8 players unavailable but then again the league Controller isn't a member of our club.

cdeb

Did Rathmines ask to postpone games?

Benildus were asked by Ballinasloe (not the other way around) to postpone the Armstrong game last week because (a) it was a Bank Holiday and (b) there was a clash with the Sligo tournament.

I look forward to more ignorant accusations coming soon...

sodacat11

Yes,we did. From what I'm told Ballinasloe originally agreed to the postponement then changed their minds. Ballinasloe have a nerve asking for postponements when they won't grant them.

cdeb

"From what you're told"? Hmmm

And what does this have to do with your suggestion of corruption within the LCU?

macelligott

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120227865#Comment_120227865

Sodacat11 please explain how this is the Elm Mount full strength team?

macelligott

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120227865#Comment_120227865

Sodacat11 please explain how this is the Elm Mount full strength team?

cdeb

Think that was played as an away game for Ballinasloe? Very unhelpful of them

Maybe they're just biased very specifically against Rathmines?

Though believe Rathmines declined moving a board in that game too, even though they were scratching a board, so...

Joedryan

Ructions :)

Was not going to comment but as I DID play in Leinster leagues for more years than I care to imagine and was also on the committee for some time, re-arranging games is a particularly Irish thing, which I never liked, and I think should simply be done away with. I know, I know , I know, people up in arms, but its really not on in this day and age. Somebody cant play get a sub or somebody up from the B team.

Awaiting pelters :)

cdeb

I actually agree with that. I think we're just too nice here (but not biased). Very hard to fully do away with it if two teams are agreeable.

Joedryan

But that's the point, neither team should be allowed to be "agreeable" is what creates the problem.

Think of up and coming junior players, as a kid I was forced to not play games on the proper day, which was in itself bizarre, in those days we had adjournments which is a whole different story I have a million stories there of Senior adult players trying to twist your arm to agree to a draw etc

In these days all should be clear and above board, all players play the same day, etc.

Sorry if sounds tough, but thats what needs to happen

cdeb

Often it's the juniors requesting the changes so they can play a different tournament as well!

It's one thing saying to an opposition captain you can't change, but it's harder saying it to your own players. Then you're hurting the team's chances by not putting the strongest team out.

(And again - I do agree it's much better with all games at the same time)

Joedryan

Well I don't ever remember as a junior requesting that ever, in fact I can say it never ever happened for certain.

It shouldn't be a question of hurting the team, all teams play the schedule and if there are conflicts notify the LCU in advance to avoid, I really don't see the issue.

This will happen, its just a question of dragging the old fogies died in the mud types into the new reality, its the up and coming juniors need to be respected more than those (sorry but its true!)

sodacat11

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120232089#Comment_120232089

I guess if you were board 3 it wasn't a very strong team🤣

spidersweb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120237326#Comment_120237326

I seem to recall that at some point the LCU got it right by having the simple and correct system that required that all matches must be completed by the date of the actual match. That allows for teams to make agreements IN ADVANCE if there are issues playing on a given date. It could and should be that simple.

If there was the will and absolute strict adherence to all results being decided on or before the date of a match it would work very well. If teams can’t abide then let them just lose the points, end of story.

The current system is just bad for everyone overall. Just play and have all matches done, on or and, before the date of each match.

sodacat11

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120249692#Comment_120249692

This all makes perfect sense so it is very unlikely that the Leinster Chess Union will follow any of the advice given.

I see now that some teams in the Armstrong have only played 6 games while others have player 8. No prizes for guessing which teams got the preferential treatment.

sodacat11

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120238251#Comment_120238251

Another perfectly sensible comment !!