22-03-2015, 02:28 PM
OK. I got to say it. Something is seriously wrong when a team forfeits in the Richardson semi-final. Maybe it is just another symptom of chess decline in Scotland (as born out be falling number of weekend events). Or maybe its the event format. My own view is it's a bit of both. Fact - there are less players interested to give up any weekend time to chess in Scotland. So we need a format to engage those of us left. Teams of 8 are too big now for many clubs. It's time to collapse Richardson and Spens into one event. Teams of 5 or 6 should be order of the day. I also think some sort of league/group format would seem worth another look so we all get at least a few games to make it worth paying the entry fee? This year my own club are in the final having played just once - yes just once. At minimum we secure an Euro club spot from winning just one match. OK I'm delighted about that but it can't be right to get this from outcome of just 1 match,