Chess Scotland Noticeboard

john dykes · Rook Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 70 Location: east kilbride

As someone who has run Congresses/Tournaments over the last four decades, I cannot believe, what I am reading, that there can be some people out there, with adverse criticism about this potentially splendid Congress.

Surely everyone must appreciate how much effort and thought that David Congalton (and possibly others) must have put into this Congress and is currently putting in and will continue to put in, right through to the end and beyond the end of the Congress.

Entrants are going to be located close to a lovely West of Scotland seaside town during the better weather (hopefully) in what sounds like a first class venue with rail and bus transport right to the venue. On top of that they are getting secure parking next to the venue, at what I would have thought, is very reasonable prices.

David has even tried to secure optional accommodation for entrants who wish to take up the offer.

Sometimes I wonder if a few chess players would need a Congress held in their back garden, before it would suite them.

I am glad to see that there are still many chess players who do appreciate the effort of organisers and shall hopefully make the new Prestwick Open a great success and a permanent event on the Chess Scotland calendar

John Dykes

Phil Thomas · King Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 758

I'm fully in agreement with John here.

From what I've read seen and heard this one of the best organised first congresses for many years. Things are always easier in year two.

David,
if you can't sell the accommodation on at cost rather than save yourself a 10-15 minutes commute sell a family room to me at cost and save me a 40 minute commute. I don't see why you should be personally out of pocket on this expense. This can be a last minute arrangement - I'd rather the room went to somebody living much further away than me -with a much greater need.

Keith S Rose · Queen Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 107

That is a disappointing posting from David. It’s difficult to understand the logic behind the criticisms.

1. The whole reason for pre-booking these rooms was clearly to save money for some lucky participant(s) not to make money for either David or the event. Why anyone would think differently is puzzling. Not only that, but as the gamble in taking these rooms was solely for the benefit of entrants then, if it went wrong, I see no reason why David should shoulder the cost. The chances are high that he’ll be well out of pocket anyway just for the pleasure(?) of running this event;

2. This turn of events was no fault of David’s and I think his solution was very reasonable. Not strictly necessary, because an event can’t be responsible for costs incurred by the participants, but I perfectly well understand the logic. Which is more than the complainers seem to – how can the offer be perceived as unfair when it was simply to cover an expense that the non-drivers would not have borne anyway? And what is more unfair than David covering the cost?

As this is his first crack at an event like this it must have been very disappointing to have had this reaction, even if it is from a small number of people. There has been enough thought, work and time put into this event that it deserves support, not mean-spirited mumping.

Sometimes you wonder why you bother but I hope David isn’t put off by all this and is rewarded by a large turnout - and no personal expense. There is huge satisfaction to be had when people appreciate what you do and say so. No money, sadly.

DGCongalton · Queen Joined: 07 Nov 2010 Posts: 113

Thanks to the many people who've posted or e-mailed words of support and encouragement. I greatly appreciate it.

David Deary · Queen Joined: 31 May 2010 Posts: 98

I can feel a rant coming on.

I know David Congalton has worked extremely hard in making this Congress a reality and any suggestions of personal profiteering need to be nipped in the bud immediately. No wonder people don’t volunteer to run tournaments and clubs in Scotland with the miserable bunch of moaners that we have. I don’t know if it’s the Scottish psyche or a chess player psyche generally but it seems like we always try to see the worst in everything. I’m certainly guilty of it particularly when it pertains to Chess Scotland. (you bureaucratic windbags Razz

)

My biggest gripe concerning the Prestwick Congress:
Where are all the Ayrshire players?

The congress currently, only has 7 Ayrshire players entered. What is going on? My fellow players in Ayrshire and there are a lot of you, need to pull your fingers out and support this Congress. For all the leagues and tournaments that are run in Ayrshire I have always been disappointed that there has never been more weekend Congresses bar Marrymass (of course!), the old Greenwood Congress and an ill-fated attempt at an Ayrshire Congress at Ayr College (There may have been more before these but not in my lifetime). For an Association that always likes to beat our own drum for playing more games than last season, having more players… blah blah blah its time to prove it.

I will bring my soap box tonight to the Harvey Shield at Troon and give some of the players a bashing as they should be supporting this event. After that I will bring my hammer tomorrow and bash the players in the Irvine Open about it too. Apologies for those who get badgered by me twice but we need to support this congress and make it a permanent fixture on the calendar.

P.S. I am going to add more to this but I am at work so should really be doing what I am paid for and not post on these forums.
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admin · Site Admin Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1386

Personally I think we are tame compared with the ECForum.

Mike Scott · King Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 676 Location: Edinburgh

David Deary · Queen Joined: 31 May 2010 Posts: 98

robin moore · King Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 164

At the Harvey Shield at Troon tonight......

In the red corner..

Dangerous Dave Deary and his knuckleduster

In the blue corner....

Rantin Rovin Robin and his electric cattle prod

How many volunteers/victims can they press gang into entering the Prestwick congress?

Who knows but it won't be for lack of trying !

robin moore · King Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 164

I believe 11 Ayrshire players tonight were persuaded/cajoled/tortured into entering that fantastic new Prestwick congress. They were threatened with a subtle combination of brutality and boredom if they did not enter. Brutality being the the ugly sight of an inebriated Patrick McGovern threatening a square go at their doorstep if they did not enter or worse still a sober John Montgomery the Ayrshire Secretary reading the full Ayrshire rules with grievance and disciplanary procedure for a couple of hours or more ootside their hoose every night for the next fortnight.

Most guys folded at this second threat.

Robin.

DGCongalton · Queen Joined: 07 Nov 2010 Posts: 113

My thanks to Robin for using his persuasive talents and adding 11 entries to the congress list. As his new agent I shall be hirng him out to local, national and international events for a reasonable fee.

Any political parties in need of a boost in their voting share at the upcoming elections can contact me via the congress websiite. Robin is willing to accompany voters into the booth to ensure the ballot paper is filled in correctly.

Having just returned from a tournament in Italy I believe he has learned some interesting techniques from his new friends in the Cosa Nostra which guarantee satisfaction.

Not sure if he and his team used them last night when Greenwood won the Harvey Shield but I believe they are now very strong favourites to make a clean sweep of every tournament in Scotland.

Phil Thomas · King Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 758

Robin,

Reminds me of the final round of Euroyouth 2009. Ryan Air had changed some flights and some of us to arrived 1 day early. We stayed at the same hotel, nobody mentioned the extra bill and the hotel staff could not cope when I offered to pay. Part way through the final round I got summonsed to the office and was given a bill for a few hundred Euro. Between us we didn't have the cash - it was at the hotel. The host gave me a lift to the nearest bank. Just before I put my card the machine in I looked round. The only person in sight was an Italian in a smart car, he was on the phone, I shivered on a very warm day........ the bank card worked phew !!!!.

PS
There will be multiple Thomas's displayed on the list of entrants very soon.
The cheque is in the post
You don't know where I live

robin moore · King Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 164

I was over at the first round of the Irvine Open tonight and managed to get another couple of entrants. Apparently they own horses and they were beginning to feel a little edgy.....

DGCongalton · Queen Joined: 07 Nov 2010 Posts: 113

Only 13 days to go. 40 entrants so far. Thanks to all those who've entered so far.

For those of you still thinking about it, this is the last chance to play a weekend congress in the West of Scotland for 3 months. The playing area is spcaious, light and comfortable, as is the private reception area to the Aviator suite where players can relax before and after a game.

Add to this half-decent prize money, trophies for each section on which your name could be the first engraved, medals for top 3 places, a Junior Trophy for the best performing Junior across the sections plus medals for places, five games of chess, experienced arbiters and a warm welcome.

www.ayrshirechesscongress.co.uk for more information.

http://www.chessscotland.com/membership/Entrants110513Prestwick.htm for a list of entrants so far.

DGCongalton · Queen Joined: 07 Nov 2010 Posts: 113

12 days to go. As well as postal entries, you can enter by e-mail and by phone, then pay on the day. Contact details are on the congress website www.ayrshirechesscongress.co.uk

Where are all the entries from the Glasgow area? The congress must be one of the easiest to get to by public transport, with bus and rail stopping right at the door.

The 18:00 train from Glasgow Central gets you to Prestwick Airport with 13 minutes to spare before black starts whites clock. Sit on the right hand side of the train on the way down for some fantastic views of the sea and the golf courses. Arrive at the station, walk over the covered bridge and you’re in the airport. Stay on the first floor, walk round to the left, walk along the length of the “balcony” which looks down on the check-in desks until you get to the area at the top of the stairs.

You should now be underneath a big sign for Kenny Kilmurry’s Health, Stress & Injuries clinic. If you have any back problems you may want to pay him a visit, he worked wonders on me when I hurt my back and could hardly move.

I digress. You should now have sign to left, main stairs down to terminal ground floor to right and behind you a few stairs which lead up to the health clinic and executive offices. Directly in front of you are the doors to the reception area of the Aviator suite. Walk through the doors and a weekend of enjoyable chess awaits.

It’s £8.70 return on the train and the last train’s on the Friday

21:50, arriving at 22:36,
22:21 arriving at 23:09 and
23:08 arriving 00:01 in Glasgow

So, even if you’re very last game finished, you’ll still get back to Glasgow that night.

Saturday train times are

Glasgow to Prestwick

Depart 08:15, arrive 09:21
Depart 08:45, arrive 09:48

Prestwick to Glasgow

Trains every half hour. First three after playing session ends

Depart 18:21, arrive 19:25
Depart 18:25, arrive 19:35
Depart 18:53, arrive 19:55

Sunday trains are

Glasgow to Prestwick

Depart 08:12, arrive 09:16
Depart 08:41, arrive 09:41

Prestwick to Glasgow

It’s an hourly service on a Sunday, with trains departing at ten to the hour. Journey time is 1 hour 5 minutes. Relax on the way back with a book you’ve bought at the chess book stall or share the journey with a friend going over that days moves in your newly acquired travel chess set.

This will be a congress everyone will want to play in the future. Don’t regret not being part of the first one. Get your entry in today.