There will be no over the board chess within the Cleveland Chess Assocciation at the very least before the New Year. Going by the email discussion from various clubs that I have read something should be done just to keep the interest of Cleveland Chess Association members going!

Therefore, I am proposing that a fun online Chess League be setup to start in October on Chess.com. Why Chess.com? Because I know that four of our local Chess Clubs, have already got Chess Clubs there. It is FREE! although you will need a paid membership to create a Chess Club! (This can be got round by me creating the Chess Club for you!) Other members of your club do not need to have a paid membership to join a Club or join a Tournament / Club Match).

Note this is an independent League and not part of or run by Cleveland Chess Association; it is intended to provide some chess activity whilst the normal League is in hibernation.

The format could be two Leagues. Bottom League, for players below 1600 and Top league for players above 1600. I have quoted ELO grading since all online Chess grades are in that format. Games would be 30 minutes each. Now on Chess.com a Club match is both teams play two games in one-night meaning on each board the players play two games (one with White, one with Black) against the same player, the whole match would take a maximum of 2 hours. I have just recently taken part in a Club Match on Chess.com and know how it works. I will be able to help people setup a Chess Club and how to do other things. You can read all about it from this weblink.

There is a short video on YouTube to watch, which is a bit out of date at the moment. Can be see, from here.

Looking at last seasons, grading list and updating with the new grades. I am not planning on publishing the grading list yet since I am waiting for the new four figure ratings (NB Grades will be known as Rating for the new system) which will be around September. I have looked at the possible number of teams, that each club could put into the fun online league. Both leagues, could have 12 teams in each, if there are only 4 players per-team! We may be lucky to only get one quarter on the members of Cleveland Chess Association to take part. We shall see!

Chess Clubs that have Online Club on Chess.com That I know of!

Billingham Synthonia

Darlington

Hartlepool (not being use at the moment!)

Thornaby

How to make a Chess Club on chess.com can be found here, plus video on YouTube.

If this takes place, some help would be appreciated!

If your Club is interested please contact me! My contact details, can be found on the Cleveland Chess Association Website under Team Captains. Link below.

Paul Weightman

Thornaby Chess Club

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