Richardson, Spens, Nancy Elder and MacIssac

[Ianbrownlee]

re increments becoming compulsory in Fide events?! It would be an interesting addition although the current time control of 3 hours each is enough not to make a mockery of the game in my opinion.

my understanding is not yet and I will seek clarification on the matter , but a little birdie had told me it may happen in the next couple of years so if we keep it FIDE rated then we may have to move over to Digital Clocks.

Ian, can I suggest that you write an email to all club secretaries of those clubs not participating in either the Rich or Spens, asking them if I a central venue format would interest them and possibly encourage their involvement?

I've already had one existing club captain telling me if we implement this then they will withdraw from the Richardson Cup. I need to take views from as many people as possible. I agree with Adam in that it would be grossly unfair to expect certain teams to play in a central venue under the present format, unless we change the central venue after each round, especially the Richardson Cup when it consists of eight players. The other problem of the central venue is money, in that CS would have to fork out for venues it doesn't presently do therefore clubs would have to fork out extra entrance fees, increased travelling etc. It can be offset by the home team not having to fork out themselves but there would be a general increase in expenses. Its one thing hiring a small room by the home team in their local, its a whole different ball game hiring a massive venue for the day. I also dont see clubs playing in different central venues in the season.

I've also seen comparisons between the national tournaments and the SNCL, They are. completely different. The national tournaments are based on our club participation whereas the SNCL is a team competition where there is not necessary a tie in to any club. Remember that the national tournaments are limited to CS member clubs As such players can play for any team in the SNCL at the beginning of the season. For example players residing locally can play in any team. Presently if required, In the national tournaments players may have to demonstrate membership of the club they are playing for although eligibility should be dropped this to be replaced by a team registration form.

There is no point in contacting clubs again for a consensus. Keith Rose already did the spadework so we have to move on. I have already prepared a report for Council and will add to this in my Home Directors report in time for the AGM. I will be in a consulting period regarding these issues up to the AGM and I hope to include these points at the AGM. As already pointed by myself and others I dont think the Richardson Cup has a problem at all both in strength and numbers and I believe being FIDE-rated enhances it. I accept we should try and promote the Spens Cup and I do think we all need to work on this more. Remember that this is a CS member club tournament so I think the first step is to encourage more clubs to be CS member clubs. FIDE rated tournaments are proving to more attractive than non FIDE rated tournaments so I believe this is a good start. Promoting the benefits of CS club membership would help as well as promoting junior chess at secondary and club level which I strongly feel that it would also be a step forward. We need to get OTB player numbers up and encourage them to play in the Spens Cup. That is the main function of the Spens Cup, i.e a tournament that everyone would feel comfortable playing in.