Chess Scotland Noticeboard

John_Dempsey · Queen Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 113

One of the things I like about this noticeboard is that those who respond generally do so in a thoughtful manner. What you (AWIC) have said is true. It is not the games that are fishy. Paul is right, Stephen is right, as are Daniel and Heather. The FIDE gradings are askew, (in my opinion badly so) when you examine the chess played. However, the main thrust of what I am trying to bring to Scottish players attention lies in the fact that the strongest players here no longer represent their country, and most importantly, why that is the case. There is a valuable lesson in this for us as a chess playing nation.

I was aware that there had been some kind of major conflict in recent years on these islands. But, whilst I commiserated at the perceived unfairness at work, still, it was something for those involved to work out. It held little specific interest for anyone in Scotland, other than a very weak team being in the same tournaments sometimes and that no one likes unfairness.

But my attention suddenly moved from being vaguely interested to being completely focused upon their difficulties when three (3) key phrases came together. These were; faction fight; proxy war; recruitment of large numbers of kids from a school to win this this proxy war. How dreadfully familiar concepts.

These people have had the total war which we have somehow avoided.

The 'winners' don't exist. There is nothing left but the ruins of the organised chess which was not that dissimilar to our own. Selection was transparent. Democracy ruled. Yes they were much smaller than we were but it would have been easy to see the parallels. Small, yes, but worthy.

The fallout from that war still continues. The Federation has been badly, badly,weakened. Many adult players will not be a part of it. The juniors who were the tools to 'win' this war have almost entirely stopped playing.

When these people pressed the buttons that could only result in mutually assured destruction they could not have given any thought to what would be left. Perhaps it was all about 'winning' at that stage. Who can say for certain. But the result is certain. The word 'debris' is what I would use to describe what they are picking through. If you doubt this, then play through the game given earlier on this thread, go to Chesslab database and go through the games this team were able to produce at the World Chess Olympiad in 2008. Then compare these games with the ones before this war. If you are unclear as to when this happened then let the caliber of chess produced before and after be your guide. It is clear as crystal. Take a little time out to do this, and the lesson will go deep: it has for me.

We have been lucky, let's stay lucky.

Wishing each and every one of you the very best,

John

admin · Site Admin Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1386

John.

I could not agree more. We have been lucky, we managed to get through our Crisis without the MAD button being pressed. Looking at federations closer to home, they have not been so lucky.

I came back from the AGM with one thought going through my head "What have I done..." I was genuinely shocked at what had happened.

I think this year is going reasonably well, and I have to be honest, the Directors who have been there for years are quite instrumental in that. In fact, I'm happy to go on record to say thanks to Mac, Dougie and Ken as well as thanking Donald Wilson who's advice I have found invaluable this year.

We have a few problems to iron out, the Scottish being one of them, but in Alex's more than capable hands I am not overly concerned about it. In the absence of a marketing director I am actively trying to secure sponsorship for the Scottish. I have a couple of leads at the moment (if anyone out there has a serious suggestion, please contact me) and I am following them up.

The huge in fighting we have had seems to have simmered down over the last couple of years and I am very greatful for that. I have seen people who a couple of years ago, could not bear to be in the same room as each other working side by side, foes working together on committee's and listening to each other. People being constructively critical of something and the critisim being taken on board.

We are turning the corner, that is obvious, but we are not there yet. There is still much work to done. We do not live in a utopia, We will not ever have everyone getting on with everyone else, that would be folly to even consider it. But we are well on the way to a nice balance.

I belive we are facing a dual challenge now. The first is funding and lack thereof. This is a tricky one to resolve. The second is apathy. We are happy to let the same people do the smae things time and time again. Look at the Arbiters list, look at the people organising torunaments, league controllers. It is the same people time and time again.

Here is the wake up call. The "Time to smell the coffee" moment. Many of our Arbiters, Organisers etc are getting older, there is no stampede of helpers there to replace them. As they retire we are going to lose tournaments. We badly need people to step up and learn how to do these roles.

Anyway, enough rambling from me this morning. Hope you all have a pleasant day and I apologise for any spelling mistakes in this, my work computer does not allow me to install Firefox which has a wonderful inbuilt spellchecker Wink

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

Hi Admin,
A complete aside but can I just ask "Scotsman shield - any progress?"

Paul Denham · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 6:37 pm Post subject:

Admin,

Might have a lead for you re the Scottish & sponsorship.

Drop me a note.

PD

Graeme Forbes · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 7:30 pm Post subject: