Sidcup players have been busy representing Kent at various levels this season.

Ian McAllan was in the Kent U-180 team that beat Middlesex at Willesden last month.

Gary Sharp has been engaged for both the Under-160 and Under-140 teams, scoring 50 per cent in his two games at the higher level, while winning and drawing in the lower tier.

He’s been joined in the Under 140 matches by David Gilbert who has won his only game.

Lee Brockwell has been the draw specialist this season, drawing all three of his games for the Under-120s.

Chris Cheeseman is playing top board for the Under-100s and is doing well with a commendable win and a draw so far.

Chris Cheeseman, unbeaten for the Kent Under 100s

At the halfway point the world is looking pretty good for the Kent teams.

The Under-180s have won their only match; the Under-160s have a win and a loss; as do the Under-140s; the Under-120s have two wins and one loss; and the Under-100s have won their two matches. All have realistic expectations of making it to the national stages.

Some news from the recent English Chess Federation Annual General Meeting where it was decided by narrow margin, 89 votes to 88, to retain the national stages of the Under-100 County Championship. That must be good news for all the County’s Under-100s.

David Gilbert