UPDATE ON MACISAAC AND NANCY ELDER TOURNAMENT (2012-3)

The outcome of the MacIsaac tournament (that is how the name of it is spelt!) is still hanging in the balance as at 3rd July 2013. Alistair Maxwell (Cathcart) overcame a gallant young Daniel Thomas (East Kilbride) at a semi-final match played, courtesy of Michael Hanley,(P2 St Bride's )in a Church Hall in Hallcraig Street in Airdrie on Sunday the 23rd of June. For personal reasons and very regrettably,Phil Thomas (Troon) has decided to withdraw from the tournament, leaving Michael Grove (Castlehill) a clear run to a final match against Alistair. I hope that this intriguing match can be played before the end of July and at or before the 'Scottish'
Congratulations must go to Stephen Hilton (Inverclyde Central) who kept the Nancy Elder flag flying by his defeat of Lisa Paton (Castlehill) in the one and only match played in that tournament this year. It should be recorded that Stephen travelled all the way from Greenock to Dundee (and back) to play the match!

Chris H.

Was hoping to organise another Armageddon event before the winter but it has been difficult to find appropriate dates in September/October and therefore I am hopeful of running the 3rd Elite Armageddon on the 8th-10th of August, subject to confirmation of an arbiter.

Can pay travel expenses and based on the last two, an exciting weekend!

If any arbiters are interested please do not hesitate to contact me.Thanks!

David

I had always understood that one shouldn't leave the board when it is their turn to move.
Is this a rule or just etiquette? Or am i mistaken?

Round 1. Lindsay McGregor vs. Michael Adams.
Round 2. Andrew Green vs. Arkadij Naiditsch.
Round 3. Michael Adams vs. Neil Berry
Round 5. Andrew Muir vs. Michael Adams.
Round 6. Michael Adams vs. Arkadij Naiditsch.
Round 7. Arkadij Naiditsch vs. Vlad-Victor Barnaure.
Round 8. Danny Gormally vs. Arkadij Naiditsch.
Round 9. Michael Adams vs. Danny Gormally.
Round 10. John Shaw vs. Arkadij Naiditsch.
Round 11. Michael Adams vs. Colin McNab
Round 12. Keti Arakhamia-Grant vs. Michael Adams.
Round 13. Arkadij Naiditsch vs. Keti Arakhamia-Grant.

Links will be made available as videos are uploaded.

The June winner of the 100 Club is N Kafka, who wins £45.50 for the second month in a row.

Chess Scotland runs the 100 Club to assist with general fund raising. 50% of the money available in any given month is distributed as prizes, with the balance being used to offset some of the costs of organising chess in Scotland. Organisation costs: Running CS member services, running CS tournaments, maintaining a rating list, organising Scottish teams international participation, junior training, Scottish Chess magazine, this website! etc

Anyone aged 16 or over can subscribe to the Club. It costs £1 per month to buy a prize draw unit, and, while the normal period to hold a unit is one year, other time periods can be accommodated. Any number of units may be held by a member.

Further information can be found at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.chessscotland.com/csinfo/100club.htm">http://www.chessscotland.com/csinfo/100club.htm</a><!-- m -->

LANARKSHIRE CHESS LEAGUE
Minutes
Wednesday 26 June 2013




Attendees: Alastair Maxwell (Crowwood), Jim Johnston(East Kilbride), Ian McLachlan (Lanark), Jim Smalls (Lanark), Andrew Pollock (Crowwood),Tom Brown(Lanark), Ian Brownlee (Lanark), Michael Hanley (Hamilton)

Clubs not attended or represented: Bellshill, Cumbernauld

President’s remarks
The President (Ian Brownlee) welcomed the attendees of the meeting and thanked them for attending the meeting. He also gave thanks at this point for the outstanding work of the outgoing league controller (Ian McLachlan) who would be stepping down this year. The president also noted the absence of the secretary.

Secretary’s Report (abreviated)
As the secretary(Luke Greenslade) was in absentia there were no proper minutes, merely a mention on the agenda of the rules passed

Treasurer’s Report
The treasurer gave a detailed report of the current finances. The report was proposed by Alastair Maxwell and seconded by Michael Hanley subject to an external audit by Bernard Airlie. The finance report did not have an exact amount as there was an estimated invoice of £20.00due to be supplied by Andy Howie regarding a rental of premises for the previous fixtures meeting. The treasurer also proposed an increase of £2.00 per team in order to cover anticipated costs for the next few years. This was seconded by Michael Hanley

League Controller’s report
The league controller announced the winners which were Crowwood (Division one) and Lanark B (Division two) Bellshill A will be demoted this year and Lanark B promoted. Only two clubs defaulted any games this year, Bellshill and Hamilton A lively session followed with the President reiterating the hard work done by the league controller

Presentation of Prizes
The President presented the Division One trophies to Alastair Maxwell and the Division Two trophies to Tom Brown

League structure 2013 – 2014
Based on the basis of twelve teams in the Lanarkshire Chess League, there was much discussion on the league format for the next season, the favoured format being a 6-6 split as opposed to a 7-5 split. The twelve team format is based on commitments given on the night and of pre-meeting commitments given by the absent clubs. If the 6-6 split takes place, then two teams will be demoted from Division One and one team promoted from Division Two. In any event the constitution of the leagues will be the responsibility of the league controller.


Proposed guidance changes
The outgoing League Controller had prepared significant changes to the guide to quick play finishes to bring it into line with current playing practice. These changes were passed and Ian Mclachlan indicated he would update the website with the changes

Election of Office Bearers
The election of office bearers are as follows:

President: Ian Brownlee proposed: Michael Hanley, seconded: Andrew Pollock
Secretary: Ian Brownlee proposed: Jim Johnston, seconded: Michael Hanley
Treasurer: Tom Brown proposed: Alastair Maxwell, seconded Michael Hanley
League Controller: Alastair Maxwell proposed :Ian Brownlee, seconded Jim Johnston

Man Comm: Michael Hanley, Jim Johnston, Andrew Pollock proposed en mass by member


Any Other Competent Business
Andrew Pollock announced that, subject to the Crowwood AGM, that Crowwood and Shettleston Chess Club will merge to become Stepps Chess Club. The President noted that Stepps Chess Club would retain Crowwood’s status in the Lanarkshire Chess League due to the fact that Shettleston did not have a team in the league.

Michael Hanley was asked by the meeting to communicate with all member club with a view to set up a separate division to accommodate a grading bar of under 1400’s or thereabouts. These members would also be able to play in the existing divisions as well as this separate division.

Close of meeting
The meeting was closed by the President

HI Guys
Lanarkshire Chess League 2013 minutes
LANARKSHIRE CHESS LEAGUE
Minutes
Wednesday 26 June 2013




Attendees: Alastair Maxwell (Crowwood), Jim Johnston(East Kilbride), Ian McLachlan (Lanark), Jim Smalls (Lanark), Andrew Pollock (Crowwood),Tom Brown(Lanark), Ian Brownlee (Lanark), Michael Hanley (Hamilton)

Clubs not attended or represented: Bellshill, Cumbernauld

President’s remarks
The President (Ian Brownlee) welcomed the attendees of the meeting and thanked them for attending the meeting. He also gave thanks at this point for the outstanding work of the outgoing league controller (Ian McLachlan) who would be stepping down this year. The president also noted the absence of the secretary.

Secretary’s Report (abreviated)
As the secretary(Luke Greenslade) was in absentia there were no proper minutes, merely a mention on the agenda of the rules passed

Treasurer’s Report
The treasurer gave a detailed report of the current finances. The report was proposed by Alastair Maxwell and seconded by Michael Hanley subject to an external audit by Bernard Airlie. The finance report did not have an exact amount as there was an estimated invoice of £20.00due to be supplied by Andy Howie regarding a rental of premises for the previous fixtures meeting. The treasurer also proposed an increase of £2.00 per team in order to cover anticipated costs for the next few years. This was seconded by Michael Hanley

League Controller’s report
The league controller announced the winners which were Crowwood (Division one) and Lanark B (Division two) Bellshill A will be demoted this year and Lanark B promoted. Only two clubs defaulted any games this year, Bellshill and Hamilton A lively session followed with the President reiterating the hard work done by the league controller

Presentation of Prizes
The President presented the Division One trophies to Alastair Maxwell and the Division Two trophies to Tom Brown

League structure 2013 – 2014
Based on the basis of twelve teams in the Lanarkshire Chess League, there was much discussion on the league format for the next season, the favoured format being a 6-6 split as opposed to a 7-5 split. The twelve team format is based on commitments given on the night and of pre-meeting commitments given by the absent clubs. If the 6-6 split takes place, then two teams will be demoted from Division One and one team promoted from Division Two. In any event the constitution of the leagues will be the responsibility of the league controller.


Proposed guidance changes
The outgoing League Controller had prepared significant changes to the guide to quick play finishes to bring it into line with current playing practice. These changes were passed and Ian Mclachlan indicated he would update the website with the changes

Election of Office Bearers
The election of office bearers are as follows:

President: Ian Brownlee proposed: Michael Hanley, seconded: Andrew Pollock
Secretary: Ian Brownlee proposed: Jim Johnston, seconded: Michael Hanley
Treasurer: Tom Brown proposed: Alastair Maxwell, seconded Michael Hanley
League Controller: Alastair Maxwell proposed :Ian Brownlee, seconded Jim Johnston

Man Comm: Michael Hanley, Jim Johnston, Andrew Pollock proposed en mass by member


Any Other Competent Business
Andrew Pollock announced that, subject to the Crowwood AGM, that Crowwood and Shettleston Chess Club will merge to become Stepps Chess Club. The President noted that Stepps Chess Club would retain Crowwood’s status in the Lanarkshire Chess League due to the fact that Shettleston did not have a team in the league.

Michael Hanley was asked by the meeting to communicate with all member club with a view to set up a separate division to accommodate a grading bar of under 1400’s or thereabouts. These members would also be able to play in the existing divisions as well as this separate division.

Close of meeting
The meeting was closed by the President

Just a quick thread raising some points about the state of chess in Scotland today.

A while ago I posted up a thread asking if chess in Scotland was in decline. This thread had 0 responses.

From what I can see, it does look like numbers playing chess at a club level have decreased. There will be exceptions to this with certain clubs but overall this would appear to be the case.

For Chess in Scotland: What can be done to rectify this? Or, if I'm wrong and there is not a "decline", then what can be done to increase numbers regardless?

Also what can Chess Scotland, as the national body, do to promote the game?

I seldom look at this noticeboard, but was surprised to see a couple of days ago (and today) so much infighting and argument. A lot of stuff that goes well beyond rational debate.

If I was a member of the public looking at these forums with an interest in chess, this would put me right off. It wouldn't be so bad if it was just confined amongst a small number of people who contribute on the forums (as most players will not contribute on here). The fact it goes to the heart of Chess Scotland, however, is concerning. Talk of "directors" taking legal action against other "directors", and reports not being able to submitted prior to a council meeting as they are (or could be) libellous is not acceptable.

I don't know who is right who is wrong, or even what the issues are, I don't even want to know, the point is such things are damaging to chess in Scotland.

Leave your egos at the door.

There is far to much politics involved in Scottish chess (and egos). Everyone should be working towards the same goal.

Going back to my original point; in my opinion, the biggest objective of Chess Scotland should be to promote chess in Scotland amongst adults and juniors.

Just my opinions, I would be interested to hear others thoughts on the points raised herein.

the many achievements noted by Phil Thomas in another post has got me thinking. there are many coaches who give up much of their time to coach players, especially juniors. It may be an idea to formally recognise them with a similar thing to Player of the Year. I know of several in Ayrshire, Steven Taylor and Billy Kelly to name but two, but I'm sure that there will be many many more across the country who are unsung heroes. What do you think?

I understand that Chess Scotland are refusing to publish 2 reports by 2 of its directors in relation to tomorrow’s Council meeting.

It appears that Chess Scotland is turning into a dictatorship and free speech and criticism are being prevented.

I would like to know who exactly has made this decision and under what powers within the Constitution they have made it? The members of Chess Scotland deserve to know that freedom of speech is being curtailed and that information is being withheld from them.