21-12-2011, 09:39 PM
All of this discussion is interesting but I would like to bring it back to where it all started.
Scotland is currently in the fortunate position that we have a good number of reasonably ‘active’ Senior (over-60s) chess players, including two IMs, two FMs, and other former champions and strong players. Most of them are pensioners not in full-time employment and they currently have to personally bear the full cost of appearing in such events. Some of these have indicated to the International Director that the potential cost is a major consideration in deciding whether to represent Scotland in international Senior tournaments. Those who do so mainly do because they are happy to pay for the honour of representing Scotland in international competition. To my knowledge no Senior team has ever received a subsidy from Chess Scotland, so any comments about ‘existing level of subsidy’ or ‘over-subsidising’ are out of place in this context.
In recent years our results have been gradually improving due to more strong players reaching the age of qualification. In last year’s Euro Seniors our 11th place included close matches against the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 7th seeds; we came near to causing a major upset all of these matches. Craig Pritchett’s contribution was outstanding and most others consistently play above their rating in such tournaments. In recent years we have consistently out-performed the English and Welsh teams—at how many sports can we say that? (perhaps a useful negotiating point in any future discussions with the Scottish Executive…).
Naturally Andy (Muir) would be keen to see the ‘dream team’ of all the top Seniors available playing at once. So would I, despite the fact that it would see me relegated to the second string. I believe that such a team, if it could be deployed within the next few years, would have a realistic chance of bringing home a top six finish or even a medal. Other teams have more titled players, but some of these are past their best and none of them are unbeatable (including Korchnoi, who regularly plays in the competition…).
Unfortunately there is very little chance of any funding being available to enable this to happen, so it is all largely academic. I consider myself to be very fortunate in these difficult times to be able to play anyway, while recognising that there are others who unable to commit for family, financial or other reasons. It is frustrating at all levels that we cannot field our strongest team; but perhaps that is the reality of chess nowadays.
Scotland is currently in the fortunate position that we have a good number of reasonably ‘active’ Senior (over-60s) chess players, including two IMs, two FMs, and other former champions and strong players. Most of them are pensioners not in full-time employment and they currently have to personally bear the full cost of appearing in such events. Some of these have indicated to the International Director that the potential cost is a major consideration in deciding whether to represent Scotland in international Senior tournaments. Those who do so mainly do because they are happy to pay for the honour of representing Scotland in international competition. To my knowledge no Senior team has ever received a subsidy from Chess Scotland, so any comments about ‘existing level of subsidy’ or ‘over-subsidising’ are out of place in this context.
In recent years our results have been gradually improving due to more strong players reaching the age of qualification. In last year’s Euro Seniors our 11th place included close matches against the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 7th seeds; we came near to causing a major upset all of these matches. Craig Pritchett’s contribution was outstanding and most others consistently play above their rating in such tournaments. In recent years we have consistently out-performed the English and Welsh teams—at how many sports can we say that? (perhaps a useful negotiating point in any future discussions with the Scottish Executive…).
Naturally Andy (Muir) would be keen to see the ‘dream team’ of all the top Seniors available playing at once. So would I, despite the fact that it would see me relegated to the second string. I believe that such a team, if it could be deployed within the next few years, would have a realistic chance of bringing home a top six finish or even a medal. Other teams have more titled players, but some of these are past their best and none of them are unbeatable (including Korchnoi, who regularly plays in the competition…).
Unfortunately there is very little chance of any funding being available to enable this to happen, so it is all largely academic. I consider myself to be very fortunate in these difficult times to be able to play anyway, while recognising that there are others who unable to commit for family, financial or other reasons. It is frustrating at all levels that we cannot field our strongest team; but perhaps that is the reality of chess nowadays.