Chess Scotland Noticeboard

SteveHilton · Queen Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 139 Location: Greenock

The point of this section is to improve the links between the Council and the ordinary player.
I want players to bring their concerns about matters relating to chess in Scotland to me so I can bring them to the attention of the council.
I have noticed since taking over as Secretary, a need for greater communication between all parts of Scottish Chess. I only hope that this can help in someway to rectifying this.

Best Wishes
Steve Hilton
General Secretary
Chess Scotland

AWIC · Rook Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 72

Steve

This could be a welcome addition - can I kick off with a question?

Adult club chess in Scotland is in decline, possibly terminally. (I think there are missing generations of chess-players who would otherwise be helping to sustain the game.)

In contrast, junior chess appears to be booming (at least in some areas).

What plans does Chess Scotland have (if any) to create a framework whereby current (and, crucially) future juniors can be accommodated in adult clubs, rather than be lost to the game?

SteveHilton · Queen Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 139 Location: Greenock

AWIC,
Thanks for the kind words about Secretary's Corner. My idea behind it is to open another link to the Council for chessplayers in our country.

You have opened with an excellent question and one there is no easy answer for. Nowadays there is without doubt increased competition for people's time. This is compared to when I started to play!
I think that because of this and also with the population having to be more mobile because of work has led to a decline in numbers attending clubs and so in competing in congresses.

Why there is a boom as you call it in Junior Chess is down to the hard work of all organisers particularly at a local level.
Not all areas in Scotland are covered as yet but I hope one day they will be.

I also hope that Chessplayers will have ideas that I can take to the council, which is the point of Secretary's Corner

SteveHilton · Queen Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 139 Location: Greenock

AWIC,
I would add that all CS can do is to encourage all players of whatever age to get involved in their local clubs, but as I said we face increased competition from other sports and pastimes nowadays.
I hope that chessplayers can come up with ideas that I can take to the council

sealpup · Pawn Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 7 Location: in the water

SteveHilton · Queen Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 139 Location: Greenock

Is there a framework in place?
If not, are there any plans to address the issue?

There is not a framework as such, all Chess Scotland can do is to direct enquiries from the public by puting them in touch with a local chess club, after that the local club must try and ensure that the new member is made welcome into the club concerned. All CS can do is to direct people to the clubs. CS has to find ways of competing for that share of the leisure time market

I can take your concerns to the council about how to address the issue.

My original reply to AWIC touched on the point about increased competition for our leisure time. This does cover part of the original question put by AWIC.

I want to use this corner as General Secretary, to bring ideas and concerns of ordinary chess players to the council