Held At The Queens Hotel : 19:35
Present: A. Brough, G. Laurence, A. Soames, A. Green, P. Cattermole, R. Gray, J. Trier, E. Higgins, P. Rawlins, J. Darlington, S. D
Apologies: T. Robson, R. Shaw, C. Davison, D. Lobo, J. Astley
Summary of 2019-20 Season: The secretary reported that Macc A finished 1st in div 1, Macc B 5th and that Macc C finished top of div 3. The limit league team finished 4th of 7. – all based on average no of points per match – validity of which has been challenged by one club in the league. Macc finished in mid-table in div 2 of The North Staffs League by the same method.
Macclesfield had qualified for the final of The President’s Cup – but that will not be played.
Finances: The treasurer reported that finances were in a healthy position. It was agreed that no membership fees would be charged in the 2021-22 season.
Unfinished Club Competitions: The Club Championship Final between Martin Olsson and James Heppell has not been played. As both are not playing competitive chess now, this will be left incomplete. The Pomeroy Cup is also unfinished. Tom Robson will be given time to arrange his final group game with Patrick Curr. Should Tom win, he will play off with John Astley for the Trophy – otherwise John will be declared the winner.
The Pollard Cup (rapidplay) is won jointly by Denzil Lobo and Martin Olsson
The Most Improved Player of The Year is yet to be worked out!
Club Chess This Season Following discussion, it was decided to play friendly games and club competitions this coming season. The Stockport League has currently no plans to resume; and the secretary outlined the plans made by the North Staffs League to start up in October. The consensus was that we cannot yet raise a team for this over-the-board play taking into account replies to the recent survey carried out by the secretary (thanks to the majority who replied to this!) However, a planned on-line programme organised by Dave Price was of interest for some. The secretary is away next week and unable to attend the North Staffs League AGM and could find no-one else to go, but will inform that meeting of our plans. The Secretary will also invite players for club competitions and, depending on numbers, we will work out a programme. Tony Soames also agreed to organise a rapidplay before Christmas – depending on numbers interested.
Health and Safety Matters: A straw poll showed everyone in the room was double-jabbed. However it was agreed that hand sanitiser would be available in the room on club nights. Masks will be compulsory unless all present agree otherwise – and if someone enters who requests a mask be worn, all must then comply. It is regretted that windows cannot be opened because of heating costs etc – that is out of our hands. The Landlady has asked me to insist on a prompt 10:30 finish – please note!
As there was no other business, the meeting closed at 8:22.
Having spoken to Zoe at The Queens , we can resume on Sept 13 (please note we cannot use Sept 6).
We will have to impose our own rules regarding, eg masks, so it is proposed we start with a short "AGM" in which we deal with this and work out what we want to do.
We will not appoint any captains at this stage as league chess is not yet on the horizon - but it will be possible to summarise the numbers who have indicated if and when they might play. If we keep this brief there should be plenty of time to play some friendly games for those who want.
The club will open on Monday 13th September 2021.
Over the past year , there has only been online matches , so over-the-board matches may not happen for some time
Stockport and District Chess League : 2019-20 Season
The 2019-20 season is now closed - see below
With the possibility of the resumption of over the board chess later this year, the committee has been considering the way forward.
With regard to the unfinished 2019-20 season, the League rules state that the season should have ended in May last year (as agreed at the 2019 Fixtures Meeting). We did not enforce this, in the hope that it would be possible to resume the interrupted season at some point. However, too much time has now passed and we feel it would be best to start afresh, hopefully in the Autumn. The 2019-20 season is therefore declared closed.
It is intended to award league titles to the teams with the best 'points per match' record (PPM) in each division. The League tables have been revised to reflect this. This means that the 2019-20 champions are -
Division 1 - Macclesfield A
Division 2 - East Cheshire A
Division 3 - Macclesfield C
Limit League – Stockport
The revised Season tables link is