Grand Prix 2011-2012

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The Grand Prix figures are finalised July 26 after the addition of the Scottish Championships. Congratulations to the prizewinners. Prizes may be distributed at Marymass - all will be notified.

Meanwhile if anyone spots any errors in calculations please let us know immediately: <!-- e --><a href="mailto:grading@chessscotland.com">grading@chessscotland.com</a><!-- e -->. The individual winner list will appear here next week.

Many thanks to our sponsors Chessbase, Everyman Books and New in Chess magazine. All have agreed to continue sponsorship into the new season. If anyone has any further ideas or contacts to add to our existing pool of sponsors please let us know.

Thanks to programmers Gordon Rattray and Andrew McHarg.

It seems I am cursed when it comes to the Scottish Championships and car parking problems.

Last year in Edinburgh I caught a traffic warden ticketing me despite my blue badge being visible, for which he got an unpleasant earful. It made me feel better at any rate.

This year, the limited parking options for me meant that using the NCP in Glassford Street was the best option, although pricy. From there it wasn't too arduous to get a wheelchair to the venue, albeit with help. However, today I received a "Bus Lane Enforcement Charge Notice" for driving in a bus lane on Glassford Street. The council provided 3 fine pics as evidence (taken from an overhead camera), it is definitely me as one of my sidelights is out

But this was a direct result of turning right out of the NCP onto Glassford Street - fortunately I only did this on one day. Anybody else get pinged for this? Can't remember seeing any signage so am thoroughly peeved to say the least :\

Starting a new thread because I don't wish to hog the 'Goals' thread.

I must thank Andrew for that thread because clearly it's good to set goals from top to bottom.

Here's a point to our elected representatives. Currently Fide the International Body of Chess has potential support for our juniors to attend The World Youth, European Youth, Under 16 Olympiad and Under 20 World Youth of over £20,000.

They are outstripping our own country Britain/Scotland in terms of money that actually goes to support our Juniors attend these events by at least 5 to 1. That is a lamentable situation.

Will use this thread to prepare notes for approaching my MP and MSP.

Those who wish to see our juniors better supported please feel free to add their ideas to this thread.

I will be flying to Chennai for the 14th IBCA Olympiad for the blind and also for the IBCA Congress.

Here is a link to a short film about our event

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can anyone enlighten me as to when AGM starts?? Thanks

Final grading calculations for 2100-2012 season are online now - (July 24).

This is slightly later than anticipated but there are often unforeseen programming delays hit the system at this time of year as we change over from one season to next. These grades dont include the recent Scottish Championships which will go in as first event of new 12-13 season.

The final Grand Prix position will be published probably July 25 - these do include the Scottish Championship. (To enhance status and provide a suitable finale to GP the flagship event is included twice as last event of one season and first event of next).

The new season should be online this time next week. This is last call for any errors pls - info to <!-- e --><a href="mailto:grading@chessscotland.com">grading@chessscotland.com</a><!-- e -->

Thanks to programmers Gordon Rattray and Andrew McHarg.

I met Charlie Stewart from Dunfermline CC in Alloa today and he asked me what was happening with the Grangemouth Congress this year. Does anybody know ?

Retrospective checking of Disclosure Certificates and conversion to the new PVG Record Scheme.

In February of this year, the authorities announced a delay in the implementation of the next phase of migration to the PVG scheme. The delay meant that Chess Scotland (as with all other similar volunteer organisations) were unable to seek PVG membership for Chess Scotland registered volunteers who had already been subject to the old Child Protection disclosure arrangements. It has now been announced that the migration of existing volunteers to PVG membership can commence at the end of October 2012, albeit with severely restricted volumes.

It is anticipated by CRBS that retrospective checking will take some 36 months. Existing PVG scheme members are not impacted in any way, this change only affects child protection volunteers who are not yet PVG scheme members.

The Lead Signatory, Steve Mannion Snr, and the Alternate Signatory, Dick Heathwood, will now draw up a schedule of proposed individual migrations to PVG membership. Each existing volunteer will be contacted, no action is required by anyone this stage.

In order to manage the retrospective checking of Chess Arbiters, Coaches and Chaperons, taking account the advice from the Central Registered Body in Scotland on risk assessment, the following policy will be adopted. New applications are unlikely to be affected and will take priority at all times.

Chess Scotland will commence retrospective checking first with Chaperons and those Arbiters and Coaches who are active and occasionally work outside of Scotland. This will include Coaches who have Disclosures Certificates more than 3 years old with the oldest dated processed first. Thereafter coaches will take priority over Arbiters with the oldest dated Disclosure Certificates processed first.

Daniel Thomas is currently featured on the live boards at the British Championships. Good luck Daniel.

What are your goals... ?

Mine is to break the 1800 grading barrier. This is the first new season where my grade has gone down (albeit only by about 2elo). I think the reason is that I've not played as much. ;|