The opening 4NCL weekend for the 2001-2002 season takes place on 22nd and 23rd September at the Birmingham Grand Moat House. As with last year there are 12 teams contesting and the League continues to rank as one of the best in Europe. For a full list of teams and players see Teams and Players.

The most noticeable change is Slough no longer has its normal contingent of GMs. Those not registered this year include: Khenkin (GER), Ftacnik (SLO), Summerscale (ENG), Kosten (ENG) and S Lalic (ENG). Summerscale has moved to the reigning Champions, Beeson Gregory; whereas Kosten (ENG) has strengthened Guildford-ADC; Lalic is moving up the board order to help Bristol maintain their presence in the top-flight.

With the weakening of Slough it now really becomes a two horse race between Beeson Gregory and Wood Green and neither would look out of place in the German Bundesliga. To show the gap between these two teams and the rest it is interesting to look at the average ELO ratings of each club over the top 8 boards:

Beeson Gregory have 15 GMs registered, with the super-GMs Adams (ENG) and Svidler (RUS) heading the list. With that strength in depth, the second team should have no problems staying up. Wood Green have Morozevich (RUS) and Short (ENG) at the top and have the advantage of having two very strong female players: Arakhamia-Grant (GEO) and Hunt (ENG) which could prove crucial. Their second teams prospects look good but will depend on the player split with the first team.

Guildford-ADC have strengthened their squad and with 5 GMs should be a good bet for third place. Thistle White Rose have the most cosmopolitan squad with literally players from all corners of the world and will be vying with Guildford-ADC for the third place.

Further down Barbican and Slough should be safe but again, as with last year, Barbican 2 will be fighting to stay up. Slough have kept some GMs but ratings fall off rather quickly, however they have the strong juniors Thiruchelvam (ENG) and Ghasi (ENG) waiting in the wings.

Of the remaining Midland Monarchs retain their young squad and have a reasonable chance of staying up. Both Bristol and Wessex will be hard-pressed to retain their places in the top division.