Adam Raoof, 4NCL Events Director, was laid up with a bad back during the final weekend, but the hotel chamber-maids did their best to look after him

Midland Monarchs reign supreme

Last year's 4NCL champions, Midland Monarchs, have done it again, winning the league ahead of Invicta Knights and Slough. The young team, captained by FM Lawrence Cooper, were awarded a trophy and £1000. They also qualify to play in the European Club Cup, as do Invicta Knights, but are not yet sure whether they can afford to take part.

The final three-day weekend at Birmingham's Grand Hotel passed without too much controversy, although Michael Adams (Slough) walked out after a dispute with his manager. It is essential for Adams to defend his rating now that it is approaching 2700, so he was apparently unhappy to be placed on board 1 in the match with Guildford, when he drew with Daniel King.

The chess produced some interesting results, as usual. IM Luke McShane (Richmond) drew with GM Jonathan Levitt (Wood Green). In a rook and pawn ending, McShane offered a draw which Levitt turned down. The players started to repeat moves, but just before reaching the same position for the third time, it was McShane who varied. This brought a smile to Levitt's face and a draw was immediately agreed.

Richmond's Tom Hinks-Edwards (2260) had a superb weekend, resulting in an IM norm. He beat IM Malcolm Pein in the match with Wood Green and drew with GM Neil McDonald of Invicta Knights. Meanwhile, Northumbria Vikings were relegated to the second division, but a couple of their players came away very happy. The BCF's own Director of Women's Chess, Lara Barnes (graded 86), drew with Adam Collinson (2400) of Midland Monarchs, while Nick Pert (2320) beat GM Murray Chandler of BCM and drew with IM Jonathan Rowson. He also achieved an IM norm. Rowson, who plays for Midland Monarchs, finished the 4NCL with a score of 7/9, obtaining his second GM norm.

Midland Monarchs' success has been attributed to their team spirit. "We're just a group of friends, we get on quite well, that certainly helps," Lawrence Cooper told ChessMoves. "We do things outside the 4NCL, like going to tournaments. Most of the team went to Spain and we're probably going to Berlin. I only pick people I've known for a long time. We've got no real stars as such. Matt Turner had the best performance, but Rowson got a GM norm and Hebden won three games in a row, so it was a team effort." The team is not affiliated to a particular chess club, but was formed when the 4NCL started so that the Midlands would be represented.

The toughest match of the season was the draw with Richmond, according to Cooper. "If we'd lost, that could have been very embarrassing, as we'd beaten Slough the day before," he said. However, the match against BCM was also very close - Midland Monarchs eventually won 4½-3½. BCM fielded GMs Ian Rogers, Murray Chandler and Jonathan Mestel on the top three boards, against Jonathan Parker, Mark Hebden and Andrew Webster. Only Hebden won his game, but Midland Monarchs had two more wins on the lower boards which decided the match in their favour. "In the end we had more strength and depth," said Cooper.

The absence of significant financial backing could become a problem for Midland Monarchs. Only the GMs, Hebden and Arkell, are paid to play; the others receive expenses. "My players will certainly get offers from other teams, it's going to be difficult to keep hold of them," said Cooper. "It's hard to compete with teams who have money behind them. I imagine Slough and Invicta will take over gradually." Last year they had to turn down their place in Europe and they might have to do the same this year. However, Midland Monarchs do have some sponsorship for next season's 4NCL, from a firm of chartered surveyors in Birmingham called Bigwood. "We're not really sure how to fit that into the team name. We don't want the press to call us the Monarchs, so we'll have to think of another B-word that isn't too rude."

Cooper had no complaints about the organisation of the league: "On the whole it has been very professional. While I keep winning, I'm not really going to notice any problems!"

Guildford, Northumbria and South Wales Dragons were relegated. Barbican II were champions of Division 2 and were promoted, along with Simpson's-on-the-Strand and Wessex.

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