Posted by Lara in the English Forum.

I nominate Callum McQueen, Neil Berry or Andrew Green.

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Nicola from Betty TV called me and asked for some idea of a participant for this new series. I think we all know a chessplayer or two in this social category who could do with a confidence boost. If you want to be nominated and don't want to contact them direct send me a pm.

Here is what Nicola says:

I am looking to tap into the world of chess to find participants for our new lifestyle series we are making here at Betty. I am looking for single men aged 25 – 40, with really interesting jobs, passions and hobbies – of course it is not just limited to chess players, so if anyone outside of this area does come to mind, please do spread the word. At the moment I’m just looking to reach out to as many people as possible.

We are making a new observational documentary series for FOX, which will be 10 x 1 hour episodes. FOX are a worldwide channel, best known for their American dramas like The Walking Dead, Damages, Nip Tuck, American Horror Story, and others like Family Guy and One Tree Hill. This is a brand new series for FOX, which takes them away from dramas and into non scripted documentaries – it’s an exciting, sensitive and warm series.

We have five really lovely and very different guys already so I am looking for the next five. The series is about confidence, dating and style. Each episode sees one guy take on some incredible confidence boosting challenges and they will be mentored by three experts on confidence across the board, and on dating and style.

We start filming this month and go right through to the end of June, so each contributor will need to be available for five days – they will be put up in fantastic London accommodation and thoroughly looked after throughout the week. This is not a Take Me Out, or a Beauty and the Geek – it is a series which aims to help people who want to try something new, to step out of their comfort zone and take on a new challenge. Perhaps they have neglected certain areas of their lives because of work commitments or strong passions and hobbies, which may have left little time for anything else. Or they feel a bit stuck in their ways and are tired of the same old routine – whatever the reason, the series is a great way for someone to do something out of the norm, and hopefully achieve their own individual goals.

Whether people play chess professionally or if it is a passion or hobby, I understand it can take up a lot of someone’s time, perhaps because of this some people don’t get to date as much as they would like to? Or, they may want to find a balance with other aspects of their lives.

I’m really keen to get personal recommendations of very deserving people. Perhaps some of your friends, colleagues or clients will know people who would like to learn more about the series?

Betty TV are offering a potentially life changing week of incredible confidence boosting experiences. If you’re brave enough to step out of your comfort zone – male and aged between 25-40 they want to hear from you. For more information, send an email to:

<!-- e --><a href="mailto:lifestyle@betty.co.uk">lifestyle@betty.co.uk</a><!-- e --> or call us on 02072900540.

There is some problem with the online grade upload this week. We will try and resolve as soon as possible.

We are running a Charity Allegro on Sunday coming in aid of CHAS at St Margret's Church Hall in Airdrie. All entry fees and canteen profits are going to the charity. This means I am expecting you to eat Mikes cooking . I am hoping to raise £500 from the event.

Currently have 21 entries over the 2 Adult and 1 Junior event and have also received donations from people who are not playing which are gratefully received.

Entries are accepted up to the start of play so there is still time if you want to play.

Current playing list is as follows

4554 Steven Kelly Cumbernauld 1849
7142 John Calder Troon 1846
9972 Michael Roth 1786
20886 Andrew McHarg Badgers Brook 1736
21604 Andrew McCusker Hamilton 1615
5607 Walter Pearson Pentland Hills 1496
5670 David Potts Bellshill 1494
6769 Ian Robertson Shettleston 1482
16783 Robert Kerr 1444
14990 Graeme Forbes Shettleston 1365
9434 David Marshall Badgers Brook 1353
9049 Stephen Ritchie Mussleburgh 1191
9743 David Watson Corstorphine 1181
17762 Robin Johnson Edinburgh West 1123
17397 Andy McCulloch Giffnock 1024
22500 Kirsty McCusker Hamilton 902
23787 Jack Stewart Greenwood 805
20555 Euan Dunbar Fernhill 712
22551 Jake Sanger 579
23586 Thomas Taylor 273
Bruce Kerr

For some time past, The Chess Scotland PVG Lead Signatory, assisted by the Additional Signatory, have been conscious of the need to revisit the October 2011 policy statement. A revised version has now been uploaded to the website. The new document does not represent any break with previous practice but is now more meaningful and relevant to the current legislation, rules and procedures.

All existing and proposed new volunteers are expected to read the document and, if they have any questions, these should be directed by email to the PVG Lead Signatory, <!-- e --><a href="mailto:Mannionsd@btinternet.com">Mannionsd@btinternet.com</a><!-- e -->.

Individual chess clubs, congresses, associations and leagues are very welcome to adopt the revised policy statement for their own use if they so wish

Colin was born and grew up in Thurmaston, Leicestershire before going to Liverpool University where he gained his degree in Physics. He subsequently studied for his PhD in ‘Geophysics applied to Archaeology’ at Bradford University.

Soon after this he changed career and branched into computer programming. He came to Aberdeen in the early 1990’s after being offered a software position within the Oil industry, Colin helped to identify and solve problems encountered by users of advanced software for modelling oil and gas reservoirs. In reflection of his ability, he tended to receive the most complex tasks for resolution.

Colin had played chess since Junior school and soon after arriving in Aberdeen he joined his local Chess Club in Newmachar School - little did he know that it was predominantly a Junior Club, at the time, and he quickly got inveigled into helping with the coaching of the young chess players! His efforts, along with the other coaches, paid off and Newmachar Chess Club had over a dozen junior international chess players between the early 90’s and the first few years of this Millennium. Colin was never renowned for being the fastest player and on one occasion when the club was going to hold a fun blitz tournament, with the kids and coaches, his reaction was : “ What? I take 5 minutes for one move never mind the whole game”! He then proceeded to wipe the floor with everyone!

In addition to helping on the coaching side, Colin was a senior adult club player for Newmachar in the North-East of Scotland Chess league and a regular attendee at local congresses. He was a keen advocate of the Scotch opening and was content playing both open and closed positions as circumstances demanded. He was a member of the Newmachar team that won the North-East of Scotland Chess League in 2002. He always welcomed the opportunity to hone his skills against higher graded players and captained one of the Newmachar teams on board 1 during the 2011/12 season and won a grading prize at the Dundee congress during the same year. He was a keen correspondence chess player and when the Internet became popular he sometimes had as many as 30 games on the go at the same time!

Colin very much enjoyed the social side of chess. While working in Stavanger he took the opportunity to play a few games over a pint of beer after work. He also enjoyed visits to play chess at the local Hotel, which was the club's holiday venue. He was a keen fisherman although he never ate anything he caught as he hated the taste of them!

Colin is survived by his wife, Christine, his 3 daughters and parents.

The results from the Edinburgh LCS held 17th March at WHEC are now posted to the http://www.lothianschoolchess.org.uk website and will be sent in for grading this week.

No often I go on a rant but I am pretty annoyed today.

I have been working the last few months to put on a Charity Chess event. It has been on the calendar for the last few months.

I looked at the Calendar today to find someone has decided to put on a 3 day event over the weekend I am already using.

No only is it going to affect money going to the Charity I am trying to raise money for, but it is going to affect the Edinburgh Congress the weekend after.

Its not that hard people. There are plenty of free weekends in the year that we don't need to clash.

Rant over

I'd just like to thank Andy, Phil and Gavin for the fantastic job they have done to give us, yet again, an excellent year at SNCL.

Well done to all the teams who were promoted and better luck next year to those who were demoted. To the rest of you I hope you enjoyed your games and are looking forward to next season.

Would you believe I have just completed 16 years as Organiser of SNCL -- you don't even get that for Murder these days ( and there have been a few where I have been tempted over the years!!!!)

Next season will have funny dates because the venue is having a major renovation project so it will be interesting to see the changes (hopefully not in costs to SNCL!!)

Have a lovely summer and I look forward to welcoming you all back in the fall.

GG

Results of NEJCA Inverness CFK event Saturday March 23rd 2013

U-300
1st Fergus Newton-Grant (Plockton High) 5/6
2nd Kyle Brown (Balloch PS) 4.5/6
3rd= Mike Sturrock (Balloch PS) 4/6
Darcie Cowie (Portknockie PS) 4/6
Ben Cherry (Scourie PS) 4/6
Girls prize Amelie Flavill (Peterculter PS) 3/6

U-600
1st Leonard Holmes (Laurencekirk PS) 6/6
2nd Anoop Babu (St Josephs) 4/6
3rd= Andrei Gheorghe (St Josephs) 2.5/6
Atharva Dabholkar (Robert Gordons) 2.5/6 (Q)

U-1000
1st Callum Smith (Banchory PS) 5/6
2nd Tariq Pasha (Albyn School) 4.5/6 (Q)
3rd Nathan Crush (Culloden PS) 2/6

(Q) already qualified in previous NEJCA + CFK events
Poor attendance this year (numbers down by 50%)
As usual, full results and photos at http://www.nejca.co.uk
Gerald

A busy Saturday, May 11th at the Parkstone Hotel in Prestwick.

The Ayrshire Allegro and the Prestwick Junior Saturday events start at 10am and will be followed by a talk from GM Paul Motwani.

Information, entry forms and lots more are now available on the website -

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ayrshirechesscongress.co.uk/Ayrshire%20Allegro.html">http://www.ayrshirechesscongress.co.uk/ ... legro.html</a><!-- m -->