The 2016-2017 grading year finished on June 30.

Thanks to all who supplied data or information this season. Thanks to our programmers Andrew McHarg and Gordon Rattray for website and program support.

The July 1 FIDE import has been incorporated into this season’s data.

Players can view their grading record by logging in to the online grading system. All result crosstables are listed here grouped into event type https://www.chessscotland.com/grading/results-tree/

If players spot any errors or omissions please contact the organiser of that event or email grading(at)chessscotland.com immediately. It is easier to correct errors now than after the new season starts.

(Click here if any difficulty logging in to online grading system.)

The new grading season will be created shortly after the Scottish Championships are complete. The Scottish Championship will be processed using new 2017-18 season grades and will be the first event of the new season.

Grand Prix
The 2017 Scottish Championship data will not be used for grading in the current 2016-2017 season. However the results will be incorporated into this season’s Grand Prix calculations. All sections of the Scottish Championships will be included twice: as the final GP event of 2016-17 and the first GP event of 2017-18. 

Printed Grading List
The print run of the grading list will be limited to those who have pre-ordered a copy. These can be purchased now via the online membership system - cost £5. https://www.chessscotland.com/membership/join/

There will only be a few copies available after the initial orders are fulfilled.  


12 Years a Grader
Jim Johnston (EK) gave this report at the Glasgow League AGM which indicates the volunteer efforts which go into the grading process.

The news on the primary individual says a report will follow........ When?

Does anyone have any info regarding this years Glorney? Are Scotland participating ? Do we know if yes who is taking part? It would be nice to know so we can support our juniors

My previous post seems to have disappeared from general chat so putting here in case it's the problem as I haven't been notified why it's been removed.

I was advising that a more proactive approach is needed to enter International events and that you don't have to wait to be invited. FIDE junior events are advertised on their website calendar and the event details can be downloaded, completed and submitted to the hosts. However, this is normally done through the National body but when the national body isn't participating the hosts are usually happy to take entries direct. I wouldn't recommend International events to any junior unless they are one of the top graded players in their age group.

White and Black are playing a chess game. White puts Black in check. Black fails to see this and White then captures the King and claims the win.

White and Black are playing a chess game. Black puts his King onto a square where he's in check. White captures the King.

The same scenarios happen in allegro chess.

I've come across these scenarios a few times (not only in my own games) and the decisions made have been unclear.

Is White correct to get the win or can Black do so as capturing the King is illegal and White has made the most recent illegal move.

Asking this question on the internet is just as confusing.

Your thoughts on this.

Takes place on Saturday at Sighthill campus in Edinburgh.

National titles up for grabs for all age bands from under 8 to under 18.

Adult blitzes (blitzi?) taking place at the same time, why, because arbiters don't have enough to do.

The Junior U12 to U 18 section in the afternoon is looking rather light on entries but there's time yet and entries would probably be taken on the day too.

Under 11 pairings and results here. http://ayrshirechess.co.uk/scottish%20na...nship.html

Stewarton Allegro entries once again dropping on last year. Most noticeable in the Major with a grand total of 11 entries, less than half in either the Open or Minor.

Still could get in, if you ask nice.

U -14 and U-12 also very scarce and will probably be amalgamated.

Dropping levels of entries are noticeable for the past couple of years now in most of the tournaments I have an interest in which leads to most of them running at a loss.

Obviously this can only be sustained for a short time and, while plans are in place for this season coming, the season after could see a sharp decline in weekend and one day tournaments unless the entries pick up.

I understand the reluctance to pay an entry fee with a 3 in front of it but costs for those events rise year on year and your entry fee doesn't. 

Or do we cut prizes to the bone to attempt to save money, perhaps prize money isn't the draw organisers think it is?

I've seen arguments on this forum indicating that some fees are too high at the moment. That complaint may disappear along with the congress or event to be replaced with a why aren't there more congresses and events.

Some venues where the events I am involved with are into 4 figures for a weekend hire, so something has to give here.

Do entry fees start reflecting the real world for entrants and then possibly suffer even more of a dearth of entrants and fold?

( May come as a relief for some organisers not having to deal with all the hassle of setting one of these things up.)

Do we accept that congresses will fall out of fashion, as it were, because you have to assume that if your entry is going down then the event is less popular then it can be stopped and no one will miss it too much?

Do we go back to the less salubrious venues that are indeed cheaper but have the attendant bars in the next room, or a hen party in the venue? ( I know, 'cause I was there.)

Basically, I suppose, I have to ask if you all want to go back to playing in 1 or 2 weekends a year, if that, and just play in the your club and local league or does meeting people from all over Scotland and beyond appeal to you?

If the second option then you have make the effort to enter as many congresses as you can.

As you can, I said, I am well aware of the other demands on spare time in this day and age so there is no need to categorise why you cannot attend every event in the calendar , try instead to keep it to what could entice you to attend more events.

Just positive things, try it, you might like it.

Hi all,

Does anyone know when the first-ever issue of the magazine appeared? I'm pretty sure some months have been missed out over the years so unfortunately can't just work my way back using issue numbers :/ I have seen the year 1960 offered somewhere online which might narrow it down.

Cheers,
Andy Burnett

Just under a week to go until this year's Stewarton Bonnet Guild Allegro.

To be held in The Stewarton Annick Youth & Community Centre, Standalane, Stewarton on Sunday 11th June 2017

Plenty of room for more entries which can be made by email, post or telephone as per the entry form on the Chess Scotland web site

For those of you who subscribe to the Chess Scotland magazine you will know that we are having a competition where we have printed a picture of the prizewinners from the event - the question is which year ?
Prize is a book by Danny Gormally and we will do the draw from the correct entries on the day.

Any queries contact me at john.montgomery@btinternet.com or by telephone

Just under a week to go until this year's Stewarton Bonnet Guild Allegro.

To be held in The Stewarton Annick Youth & Community Centre, Standalane, Stewarton on Sunday 11th June 2017

Plenty of room for more entries which can be made by email, post or telephone as per the entry form on the Chess Scotland web site

For those of you who subscribe to the Chess Scotland magazine you will know that we are having a competition where we have printed a picture of the prizewinners from the event - the question is which year ?
Prize is a book by Danny Gormally and we will do the draw from the correct entries on the day.

Any queries contact me at john.montgomery@btinternet.com or by telephone