202 Games (all bar 1, from the minor) from across all 3 sections of the 2011 congress are now available on the Prestwick Airport Congress website. Games can be viewed on the website or the PGN game files can be downloaded.

There are 1 or 2 round 5 games which are very short. Very, very short.

<!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ayrshirechesscongress.co.uk">www.ayrshirechesscongress.co.uk</a><!-- w -->

Enjoy.

The authorities have advised Chess Scotland (CS) that there will be a delay in the implementation of the next stage of the PVG scheme, (the delay is attributed to computer system problems). The planned changes were notified on 21 December 2011 on the Noticeboard, Membership News, PVG (Child Protection) - Changes in 2012 In addition, each CS volunteer who would be affected by the changes received a letter from the CS Lead Signatory, Steve Mannion (Snr).

No revised implementation date has been announced as yet, as soon as the position becomes clearer, a further announcement will be made. This delay only impacts on existing volunteers who have been the subject of disclosure under the former Child Protection scheme and who would now be expected to join the new PVG scheme on a phased basis. New volunteers who were not covered under the old scheme can continue to become PVG scheme members under the existing CS arrangements.

If anyone has a specific question concerning their own circumstances, please contact either the Lead Signatory, Steve Mannion (Snr) <!-- e --><a href="mailto:Mannionsd@btinternet.com">Mannionsd@btinternet.com</a><!-- e --> , or the Alternate, Dick Heathwood <!-- e --><a href="mailto:membership@chessscotland.com">membership@chessscotland.com</a><!-- e -->

The Chess Scotland website will be offline from approximately 9pm on Saturday 18th February for some upgrades – in preparation for the release of new content. It is expected to return online by 9am on Sunday morning at the latest.

The forum will not be accessible until the site is back up. Note that the timing of this is such that most people will not even notice it happening, as almost all of the work will be done overnight.

We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

All,

Paul MacDonald, the International Junior Director and I are heading up to this event at the weekend. We know that there are many young players that perhaps feel a little geographically isolated chesswise in comparison to the central belt. However, you only have to look at the number of present junior international players from here to realise how important every area is. As I have said before, everyone from every area of the country is going to have a fair chance to receive any support possible that we can provide. No matter what age group or section you are playing in this weekend, we look forward to seeing you very much. Please feel free to approach us and talk about any junior chess topic. Any local clubs, schools etc please make sure everyone is aware of this important event.

Robin.

All,

We have 20 or so students at present receiving or about to receive regular online coaching. If there is any progressive junior out there whom I have overlooked, forgot to ask etc please get in touch with me or any of the junior selectors on the home page asap. Our online coaching team can take on another few students presently so please be in touch as I will be delighted to hear from you.

Robin.

Hi Folks,

Gosh February already -- before we know it the Olympics will be over Yippee!!!

More importantly, SNCL is on in a fortnight. This is enough warning for you to get your teams together. So get on the job now please!!!!

No excuses for empty boards!!! Make that your 2012 resolution!!!

GG

Round 1 <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.chessscotland.com/livegames/Hamilton/r1/tfd.htm">http://www.chessscotland.com/livegames/ ... r1/tfd.htm</a><!-- m -->

Round 2 <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.chessscotland.com/livegames/Hamilton/r2/tfd.htm">http://www.chessscotland.com/livegames/ ... r2/tfd.htm</a><!-- m -->


Round 3 <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.chessscotland.com/livegames/Hamilton/r3/tfd.htm">http://www.chessscotland.com/livegames/ ... r3/tfd.htm</a><!-- m -->

Round 4 <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.chessscotland.com/livegames/Hamilton/r4/tfd.htm">http://www.chessscotland.com/livegames/ ... r4/tfd.htm</a><!-- m -->

Round 5 <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.chessscotland.com/livegames/Hamilton/r5/tfd.htm">http://www.chessscotland.com/livegames/ ... r5/tfd.htm</a><!-- m -->

Hello,

I've had an idea for a new(ish) format for an event. There are currently no plans in place, it's just an idea, but I would appreciate some feedback.

The idea: Age Championship event
Aimed at: both adults and juniors
Format: 2 day weekend congress or 1 day allegro.

What are traditional tournament grading bands could be replaced with age groups. I would be keen to reinstate the junior age championships (or if these are planned, an age based junior tournament). Furthermore I'm keen to pursue a 16 - 30 event as its an age group often overlooked and I feel it should be given some attention, seniors at the top end and a 'middle aged' category for the inbetweeners.

As each section would essentially be 'open' I'd recommend maybe a 1st & 2nd prizein adult events, followed by generous grading prizes for sections (i'm still in the Fair City mentality of the more prizes the better!)

I have a date in mind and a venue too but I haven't had a chance to link these up. I guess it's a novelty event but I think it could be a social, prestige, novelty event.

Thoughts on a postcard please.

Best wishes,
Lynsey

I see the East of Scotland is being combined with Edinburgh and the standalone Championships will not be happening this year.

It’s interesting that those who are challenging the decision of Hamilton having a Stars Barred this year are completely silent about the East of Scotland Championships no longer being a standalone event. I think those criticising the Stars Barred (most of them players from the East too) perhaps need to have a look inwards. ;P

On a more seriousness note it’s not good to see competitors losing a tournament off the calendar. I sincerely hope the decision to no longer run the East of Scotland was communicated with the 59 players who entered last year. In my view they should have received an email/letter directly informing them that it would not be happening. If this hasn't happened, why hasn't it?

Also, the communication to the wider chess community has been abysmal on this I only found out as someone mentioned it in the passing.

I personally think it’s a shame the organisers couldn’t find a way to make the event workable and I’m interested to know why they opted to scrap the tournament rather than change the format. I suspect having a Championship/'Open' of 11 players had something to do with it. Any ideas?

P.S. For those who will mention the WoS being amalgamated into Prestwick. As Prestwick was a new tournament I consider that to be +1 -1 = 0 so it balances out. 8)

James Gillespies High will be traveling to Durham on Friday to play Queen Elizabeth Grammer School of Wakefield in the Zone Final for the Yateley Manor Schools' Competition. They look like a very useful side, with James Bowler on bd 1 ( ~ 1980), but reasonably evenly matched on grade over all. Our main problem is that as they are a younger side we will need to win by at least a whole point I think because of the age handicap.