It is coming up to that time of year when entries for the various competitions the YCBA run will need to be submitted and this is a reminder for two of our main events.

Entries for both these events will open on 1st September and close on 30th September and the entry form for both events will be on the YCBA website under KO's. We do not anticipate any rise in the entry fees either.

The Waddington Shield is the county’s premier knockout competition for teams of four. Entry is open to players of all ranks. The winning team is eligible to represent Yorkshire in the EBU’s Pachabo Cup competition, entry fees paid by YCBA .

Matches are arranged privately and are 32 boards, played in sets of 8 boards, in all rounds up to and including the semi-final. The final will be 48 boards. It’s intended most matches will be played face-to-face but teams may, by agreement, choose to play online using the platform of their choice.

The Yorkshire Trophy teams of four is  a Jack High knockout competition. To qualify as a Jack High player your NGS rating must be below 57% on 1st September. It doesn’t matter if your NGS subsequently rises above 57% – you will be eligible for the whole of the competition.

NGS ratings for all Yorkshire players on 1st September 2024 will be listed via the link on the website. Matches are arranged privately and are 24 boards in all rounds, with a mandatory change of opponents after 12 boards. It’s intended most matches will be played face-to-face but teams may, by agreement, choose to play online using the platform of their choice. A user guide for Laptop, Mainframe and Ipad is there in case you need it.

We invite all eligible players to get together with teammates from their club or elsewhere and have a go at the Yorkshire Trophy. We believe the competition will particularly appeal to players who regularly represent their clubs in the Yorkshire League, giving them another opportunity for matches against opponents from elsewhere in the county. Because it’s Jack High, you need not fear drawing a team of experts in the first round. You’ve every chance of progressing in the competition and perhaps picking up a county trophy.

Good luck and we hope that you will enter one or both!

Nick Woolven (On behalf of the Yorkshire League Committee)