20-12-2011, 09:03 PM
robin moore Wrote:When Paul MacDonald became the new IJD he asked me to help and I was delighted to do so.
Some things we have been concentrating on,
Healing political differences of the past between different chess organisations, regions and events.
Trying to set a template and standard that will be used as a basis at international events.
Identifying new people with fresh ideas to add to the excellent junior organisers already in place.
Setting up an online coaching structure for all juniors in the Scotland squad and fringes in addition to existing coaching.
We have made progress in all of these areas.
Robin.
Robin,
Third paragraph conflicts somewhat with zilch, no apology required.
Fourth paragraph is based upon your posting of October 5th. In that you wrote
Well, I will start things off. I am not a top class player or anywhere remotely near it. I spent the months before going to the Euros panicking over what I would be capable of doing. Iain Swan at the Czech Open recommended the book Endgame Strategy by Shereshevsky (it was later confirmed by a Russian GM coach at the Euros as being ideal for our purposes). I got the book, and loved the common themes approach that led to forming a plan when assessing an endgame position. It's not rocket science, I feel I am able to come across confidently and from the feedback I have received the squad in Bulgaria loved the training sessions. As we moved on through the event, from about the 4th lesson all were beginning to get a fair idea of the themes/plan approach and by about the 7th lesson some were getting really good at it. As a novice coach I had identified an area where I could work away comfortably leaving the heavy duty daily changeable stuff to Alan Tate. [b]Since coming home I have been trying my coaching out on Paul MacDonald, Gary and David Gillespie, Phil, Daniel and Matthew Thomas and it has gone down really well.[/b] I know my limitations and I am sticking to them.
We want to use this Shereshevsky book as a standard for our juniors because it doesn't matter what your grade is, as long as you can convey the assessment/ themes/ plan approach consistently it works. I am in the process of inviting parents to bring their children down to my bit in sunny Prestwick by the sea to do endgame training.
On the second quote Jacqui banned me from posting earlier because it would disrupt the plans for the Liverpool event. Liverpool has happened and since you raise the subject again.... Let me make something abundantly clear. You insisted on delivering that training to my children in my house, you repeatedly told me to be quiet in my own house. At the end of the session you asked me my views of the book.I replied that the book has merit. You then extend that to an endorsement. I didn't understand your commentary on the Alekhine-Samish Ending, nor did Daniel but in your defense Matthew liked it. After obtaining the book I ran the position through Fritz. It was refreshing to see that my views were closer aligned to Fritz than to your comments.
It is sheer folly to use this end game as a basis for youth squad training. These are polite children we are talking about here. They pay attention and don't criticise the lecturer. You have not sought meaningful feedback apart from your close friends and you have employed a dishonest representation of my views.
From the beginning you have addressed notice board and selectors as if you were the IJD. Maybe that is Paul's management style. In future the assistance I give to the new regime will be zilch. Does that, I wonder, make me an honorary GM ?