A quick reminder that the first Scottish event of the New Year, the Lothians Allegro, takes place on Saturday 9th January at Wester Hailes Education Centre. Starting time is 10am. Full details are given in the entry form which is located within the Chess Scotland calendar. Hope to see you there.

I have been dissatisfied for many years in the way Scotland is run so I will be standing as an independent in the Dumbarton constituency in May. My wife Claire stood as an independent in the Westminster election in 2015 and got 503 votes.

Alan Reid is standing as a Liberal candidate in the adjoining constituency of Argyll & Bute and we have both been submitting letters to the local papers recently about relevant issues.

If anybody has been trying to contact me via the CS address it is highly unlikely I have received your e-mail. Please try again on my personal e-mail until I can get things fixed.

Apologies and thanks,
Andy Burnett

abburnett@hotmail.com

Hi Guys
I'm thinking about organising a national problem solving tournament and am wondering whether there is suffificent interest. \please let me know if anyone is interested.

the subject says it all I hope you all have a lovely time, reflect on the past and look to the future

I would like to congratulate Steve Hilton on his new post. Knowing Steve as I do I'm sure he will tackle this important post with his usual dogged determination and unique style. I look forward to seeing what can be achieved in 2016.

Noticed a good deal just now on groupon for the Salutation hotel which is the new Perth chess congress venue..

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/ga-the-salutation-hotel-9">https://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/ga-the- ... on-hotel-9</a><!-- m -->

Some other good deals direct with the hotel through their website...

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.strathmorehotels.com/Salutation+Hotel/Home/">http://www.strathmorehotels.com/Salutation+Hotel/Home/</a><!-- m -->

http://digg.com/video/real-time-chess-board

Looks as if it could be a lot of fun.

I'm in the process of putting together a panel to select the winners of the annual Jonathan Rowson and Cherie Booth awards for juniors. I would welcome nominations for both of these prestigious awards, to present to the panel. If you wish to nominate a candidate please e-mail me at <!-- e --><a href="mailto:dgcongalton@sky.com">dgcongalton@sky.com</a><!-- e --> with the players name and why they are deserving of the award.

Below is a link to the criteria for the girl's award. Criteria for the boy's award is similar.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.chessscotland.com/csinfo/cboothcriteria.htm">http://www.chessscotland.com/csinfo/cboothcriteria.htm</a><!-- m -->

A list of previous winners can be found here - <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.chessscotland.com/membership/RowsonBooth.htm">http://www.chessscotland.com/membership/RowsonBooth.htm</a><!-- m -->

Hi,

I've seen this, Here is my review thing.

http://www.redhotpawn.com/chess-blog/the...d-no-5.281

Also a look at the FIDE Open games There were 900+ games played in that event and not one,
not a single one was a Berlin Wall. These guys and girls know how to play the game.

'Santa Clause Conquers the Martians' is also good.