IN the latest bout of Yorkshire Chess Association League action, the York teams turned in an excellent display with all four teams winning.

The slightly weakened 'A'-team played a strengthened Calderdale side, but still ran out 6-1 winners after another impressive performance in which they conceded no defeats.

Wins for Dave Adams, Paul Townsend, Detlef Plump, Jon Griffith and Martin Carpenter were complimented by draws from Steve Huxley and James Carpenter.

The 'B'-team were handed victory be default after their intended opponents Rotherham defaulted. They were unable to raise a team or venue and it transpires that they intend to withdraw from the Woodhouse Cup in the New Year if the situation doesn't improve.

The 'C'-team was also weakened in a critical clash against one of their main rivals, Calderdale 'B'. Despite losing the top two boards, York were still able to register an excellent 5-2 victory with wins from Don Baldwin, Neville Pearce, Norman Andrews, John Wynne and Mick Beavers, with Steve Webster drawing.

Finally the 'D'-team scored a narrow, but excellent victory over a strong West Leeds side.

Wins from Fahad Yousif, Tom Anderson and Rodney Mitchinson backed up with draws from Herbert Lockwood, Graham Marshall and Bill Fulton gave the team a hard-fought 4-3 win.

At the halfway stage of The York Evening League, the title appears to be between Lady Anne Middleton and the University.

Both teams had won their opening four fixtures before meeting in the first crunch fixture of the season.

Lady Anne were able to turn out a full-strength side, but the University were hampered by the loss of their top two boards.

In the end strength in depth told as Lady Anne ran out 4-1 winners with wins for Joss Woolley, Tim Turner, John Cawston and Laurence Cornhill.

University's consolation came from Matthew Palmer.

However in their last fixture of the year, RI Whippersnappers put a dent in their 100 per cent record with a highly entertaining 3-3 draw.

In a match where both sides had chances, Lady Anne's' wins from Steve Cooper and Tim Turner were cancelled out by wins for Fahad Yousif and Mathieu Flinders.

The draws came in the games between Jon Griffith and David Findlay and Tony Slinger.

With the University winning their final fixture, they cut the gap at the top to one point leaving the title race wide open.

The York Congress takes place from January 3-5 at York University in Langwith College.

For further details, or how to enter, contact Neville Pearce tel York (01904) 491287.

Updated: 12:13 Thursday, December 19, 2002