The Four Nations Chess League is now firmly established as the premier team competition in England. It was the brainchild of Christopher Dunworth, who is currently the League's Managing Director. In the 1990s Dunworth, a master standard player and an internationally qualified arbiter, became dismayed at the lack of high-class team chess in England, and he resolved to do something about it. Taking as his model the successful German Bundesliga team competition, Dunworth's idea came to fruition in 1993 when 6 teams competed for the inaugural 4NCL title.

Now, ten years on, the league is thriving and has 4 divisions, a total of 44 teams and about 350 players regularly taking part. The event has an international flavour, with grandmasters from around the world regularly turning out for the leading teams. This season's competition was won by the formidable Wood Green outfit, headed by England's top players Michael Adams and Nigel Short. As well as providing top-notch competition, the league has also proved to be a great social occasion.

This season saw the league expand to 4 divisions for the first time. Eight newly formed teams competed for the division 4 title, giving an opportunity for many players to enjoy their first taste of team competition. The eventual winners were Hilsmark Fisher, who after losing their first 2 matches, stormed through with 8 consecutive victories. Much of the credit should go to their team captain, Mark Hogarth, who managed a fine win in today's game against Kevin Moore.

Hogarth employs the Grand Prix attack against the Sicilian, a dangerous system designed to develop an initiative on the king's side. When his opponent tries to throw him off the scent by castling queen's side, Hogarth skilfully manoeuvres his major pieces round to the opposite wing. In the final position Black has no defence to a mating attack starting with Qa6+ and then b6 to open lines to the Black king. Black's queen and bishop watch on as helpless spectators.