Loss of Grant

[David G Congalton]

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.farleigh.com/2013/chess-players-may-be-nerds-but-they-sometimes-pack-a-punch/">http://www.farleigh.com/2013/chess-play ... k-a-punch/</a><!-- m -->

Discuss??

[Andrew McHarg]

http://www.farleigh.com/2013/chess-playe...k-a-punch/

Discuss??

I actually don't think this kind of title helps. If we are to make Chess more mainstream then we must challenge the myth that it's a game only played by "nerds". From a branding and marketing point of view, that's a really poor way to make the game more appealing to the masses. Very few people want to be associated as a nerd. Boys will relate it to being bullied and marginalised, and girls will not want to risk the social stigma attached with hanging around a bunch of nerds.

I believe we need to look at successful examples of what is making Chess appealing. Take the world number 1 at the moment. He is referred to as a "genius", with some kind of eidetic memory. He's also fashionable, physically fit and loves sport. That's the kind of image we want to associate Chess with, and it's doing wonders for the world of Chess.

But I disagree with Ian. I do not think that we should go down the "Chess is a sport" route. I think that's an admission that we are not confident in the benefits of Chess, and so we associate it with sport to raise its profile by somewhat artificial means. By the time you have convinced the masses that Chess is a sport, you'd have already long convinced them that it's uniquely different from sport, but nonetheless enjoyable and with numerous benefits that few sports could ever bring about. So my view is that we should play to the strengths of Chess, and market it as such; rather than trying to make it fit a mould that doesn't do it justice.

[StevieHilton]

There is a simple solution.
I suggest that CS employs a professional fundraiser paid on a commission basis.
The Braille Association has used one for years and it has proved very successful.

I agree with Ian on the chess is a sport route. Would all those who oppose this refuse to accept funding if funds were raised through this route.

[Andrew McHarg]

Would all those who oppose this refuse to accept funding if funds were raised through this route.

Not me, but I still don't agree that Chess is a sport, and nor do the vast majority of people. Chess is brilliant in different ways.

[David G Congalton]

Steve

I'd be grateful if you could forward me any info. you have on professional fundraisers used by the Braille Association to my e-mail address.

Thanks

David

Andrew

I accept the headline isn't helpful but there is much more in the article and the surrounding web pages, which highlights the benefits of chess. Richard Farleigh is one of the top investors in the world, appearing on Dragon's Den in two series and succesful enough to retire to Monaco at 34.

He highlights playing chess at school as a pivotal point in his growing up and has played in two chess Olympiads. I would have thought that given his business acumen, business contacts and interest in chess, he may be someone worth approaching for advice or assistance in developing Chess in Scotland, securing investment and promoting Scottish Chess and the Commonwealth Chess Championships.

David

[Andrew McHarg]

I accept the headline isn't helpful but there is much more in the article and the surrounding web pages, which highlights the benefits of chess. Richard Farleigh is one of the top investors in the world, appearing on Dragon's Den in two series and succesful enough to retire to Monaco at 34.

He highlights playing chess at school as a pivotal point in his growing up and has played in two chess Olympiads. I would have thought that given his business acumen, business contacts and interest in chess, he may be someone worth approaching for advice or assistance in developing Chess in Scotland, securing investment and promoting Scottish Chess and the Commonwealth Chess Championships.

Agreed. I read his article, and most of it does promote the qualities of Chess. =)

[Alex McFarlane]

The British Championships last year 'employed' on a commission basis a professional fund raiser from the area. This person also has a connection with chess. I was involved in negotiating this and the drawing up of a contract (ie it was a commercial business idea).

The total amount raised in this way was £0.

[Andy Howie]

http://www.farleigh.com/2013/chess-playe...k-a-punch/

Discuss??

I actually don't think this kind of title helps. If we are to make Chess more mainstream then we must challenge the myth that it's a game only played by "nerds". From a branding and marketing point of view, that's a really poor way to make the game more appealing to the masses. Very few people want to be associated as a nerd. Boys will relate it to being bullied and marginalised, and girls will not want to risk the social stigma attached with hanging around a bunch of nerds.

I believe we need to look at successful examples of what is making Chess appealing. Take the world number 1 at the moment. He is referred to as a "genius", with some kind of eidetic memory. He's also fashionable, physically fit and loves sport. That's the kind of image we want to associate Chess with, and it's doing wonders for the world of Chess.

But I disagree with Ian. I do not think that we should go down the "Chess is a sport" route. I think that's an admission that we are not confident in the benefits of Chess, and so we associate it with sport to raise its profile by somewhat artificial means. By the time you have convinced the masses that Chess is a sport, you'd have already long convinced them that it's uniquely different from sport, but nonetheless enjoyable and with numerous benefits that few sports could ever bring about. So my view is that we should play to the strengths of Chess, and market it as such; rather than trying to make it fit a mould that doesn't do it justice.

Whether we agree with this or not, Chess has been defined as an Olympic sport for some time.

[StevieHilton]

David,
I will forward to you details privately
Steve.

[Phil Thomas]

http://www.farleigh.com/2013/chess-playe...k-a-punch/

Discuss??

If that is the Aussie approach to sport these days is it any surprise that England are strong favourites for the 2013 Ashes series and Australia are yet to produce a chess player as strong as Nigel Short.