Chess Scotland Noticeboard

John_Dempsey · Bishop Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 34

Jacob Aagaard(GM), the current British Champion, is giving a unique challenge to visitors of Kelvingrove Art Galleries and Museum on Saturday 28th June by offering to play against all-comers in a 12 board simultaneous display throughout the day. Anyone, and I do mean anyone, is welcome to play aginst the British Champion if they give a donation of £5 to a charitable organisation that Jacob has chosen. He is donating his own time at no charge. Kelvingrove are donating the venue for this event at no charge.

This event will give chess-players and the general public (potential chess-players) a foretaste of the setting for the Glasgow Congress which will be held in Kelvingrove in November. The main thrust of this years congress will be to reach out to the public and demonstrate that organised chess is alive and well in Glasgow, and that they are invited to join our ranks. This challenge simul has exactly the same thinking behind it and is likely to attract some media attention.

It is an excellent opportunity for any chess-player, no matter if they are generally 'active' or inactive. If you can make it along that day you would be very welcome.

John Dempsey

Murphyman · Rook Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 51 Location: East Kilbride

John,

I won't be able to participate in the Simul, but the venue for the Glasgow Congress in November has really whetted my appetite.

Sounds like a great venue for a Congress

Will start earning those brownie points early so that the wife gives me a weekend pass to go out to play.

Good luck with the Simul.

Murphyman

Craig Pritchett · Bishop Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 22

Just heard about these two first-rate Glasgow initiatives.

This is exactly the kind of thing that chess needs. Great profile. Great venues. Great for chess in Glasgow and nationally.

Well done to all concerned and particularly to Jacob.

Donald Wilson · Rook Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 62

It's a pity Jacob's simul clashes with Hawick, because I would have come along and challenged him.

But there are plenty of players in the Glasgow area who don't go to Hawick - I hope they'll turn up in numbers to support the simul, because it's a great idea.

Geoff Chandler · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 8:25 pm Post subject:

This is going to be a great day out.

Give media a call. TV cover such things during the close football season.

I'll be at Hawick Saturday - Glasgow on Sunday - looking forward
to parting with £10 for a couple of games.

If going remember to get a picture of you playing against current British Champ.

Keith Ruxton · Rook Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 50

Hi all,

Couldn't agree more with Craig, this sounds like a fantastic event. I will be there but only to watch (the shame of getting crushed when playing in a simul would be too much for me - I'll just watch Geoff get crushed instead).

Congratulations to all involved in setting this up.

Good luck,
Keith

John_Dempsey · Bishop Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 34

Could I just underline that the event is on the the Saturday (28th June)not the Sunday (29th June).

John

Geoff Chandler · Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 6:34 pm Post subject:

Quote:

"...I'll just watch Geoff get crushed instead."

Nonsense - I have found a wekness in Jacob's play.
(he always plays 1.f3 and 2.g4. Nobody has found flaw in this yet
but I think I have a new move that will surprise him)

Bet:
If I win - you will have pay £5.00 to Jacob's chairty - agreed?

(Jacob will already have his £5.00 from me so will let
me win to get Keith's £5 as well - a cunning plan).

Quote II:

"Could I just underline that the event is on the the Saturday (28th June)
not the Sunday (29th June). "

I'll be there Saturday and Hawick on Sunday.

John_Dempsey · Bishop Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 34

I have just been informed by Kelvingrove that due to a long running dispute with the people who check that cars have purchased tickets for parking..... PARKING AT KELVINGROVE ART GALLERIES AND MUSEUEM THIS SATURDAY (28th June) WILL BE FREE!! Very Happy

John_Dempsey · Bishop Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 34

For those who have not caught the Clyde 1 prommotion and 'phone-in' of this event, BBC Radio Five Live (Sports Channel) will be interviewing Jacob about this event tomorrow (Saturday 28th) shortly after 7.00 am.

Currently we are looking at just over 70 confirmed players but tomorrow...? (likely to rise). 'Quality Chess' are giving books as prizes to anyone who can either beat Jacob or draw with him.

John_Dempsey · Bishop Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 34

This turned out to be quite a show! It started promptly at 10.30am and finished just on 4.30pm. Taking on 12 boards continously, GM Jacob Aagaard played against 101 players throught the non-stop 6 hour session scoring 82 wins, 12 draws, 7 losses. Keith Ruxton was the highest graded player there ( I think) and very sportingly sat down to play (Thanks Keith!), that game was one of the draws. A total of £600 was raised for charity. Players from all over Scotland took part, the furthest flung being from Inverness and Oban. There were a good number of players from further afield, Canada, Eire, Australia, Germany, (visitors to Kelvingrove) were some I picked up on. Spectators were drawn to this event and in fact blocked some of the passageway at times. It was a great advert for Scottish chess in general and Glasgow Chess in particular.

There were quite a few primary school children who came from far and wide to play. Some as young as 5! (Andy Muirs daughter Catherine for instance).

Special thanks to my co-organisors Trevor (and Angharad!) Davies, Ann and (and Catherine!) Madeson. Thanks also to Sean Groundwater (Glasgow Montrose) for taking so many splendid photographs and Chris Perkin (Glasgow Montrose) for helping to set up this morning. Thanks also to Bearsden Chess Club for the use of two of their sets and boards to put alongside the Championship ones.

A very, very warm thanks to all who turned up today, for it was you who made this event what it truly was, spectacular!

Thanks also to our sponsors, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and Quality Chess for donating book prizes to the winners.

Keith Ruxton · Rook Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 50

Many thanks to John, Jacob and everyone else involved in this very enjoyable event. It was interesting to evesdrop on the members of the public watching the event who all seemed fascinated by what was happening. I heard many making positive comments.

Congratulations on running an event which has portayed chess in such a postive way.

Keith

fiopet · Pawn Joined: 07 Feb 2007 Posts: 3

Not only a great day, very well run and good fun but a good report with pictures on the website the same day-well done to all those who made it happen.
Heres to the next one!!!

A Muir · King Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 163 Location: Dumbarton

It was indeed a very successful event. My daughter Katherine had a big smile on her face every time Jacob came round to move. She played her first game then we went for lunch and looked round the other exhibits.
When we came back, John persuaded Katherine to have another game to reach the 100 participants target.

Jacob was certainly quick. In Katherine's second game, Jacob, as black, nearly made his first move before she did !

John_Dempsey · Bishop Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 34

A few small points to add. I had an absolutely great back up team, Trevor Davies who produced the Certificates, and the GCL handouts, (his daughter, Angharad, kept us both on our toes!). Sean Groundwater, who told his family he would 'only be away for an hour or so' and was there until nearly the end, taking photographs for us! Ann Madeson, (and Catherine) who kept tabs on how many had entered and were still waiting. Chris Perkin, who helped set up and helped dismantle the set up! (That's a full shiftf folks!)

A special vote of thanks to Keith Ruxton, who allowed me to persuade him to play, and also to Andy Muir, who decided not to play 'as it would be very unfair on Jacob to play against Keith and Andy at the same time'!. Both of these guys made a major contribution by their presence. both contributed in their different but hugelu valuable way!) Andy gazzumped Keith with the production of Katherine!

Kelvingrove , who provided an excellent venue, (special thanks to Lu McNair!) and also, Radio Clyde 1, BBC 5 Live , The Evening Times,and, last but by no means least, 'Quality Chess' and Jacob Aagaard himself. The man himself. What a performance!

My own part was very small. I had the job of 'chief worrier', about the weather, about the turnout, etc.

You were truly all tremendous! Thank you!

John