East of Scotland – No longer a standalone tournie?

[David G Congalton]

Perhaps the historians among us can provide information that will help potential organisers of the West and East on a way to bring back one or both as stand alone events. When were these events at their peak, with regard to number of entries and calibre of entrants? What was the format when the events were at their most popular?

Potential entrants can help by giving their thoughts and views on the format. Would I be right in thinking that both were two day events with a maximum of 3 hours per game? Did the time control or the number of rounds put some off?

Of course it could be that these events, as stand alone tournaments, have sadly had their day. My personal opinion is that the calendar is fairly well filled, with the return of Perth and the two new events added last year and that there isn't much room for the addittion of extra events, without having a detrimental impact on events already on the calendar. With the exception of chilly, chilly, Scottish freezing December, there is at least one weekend congress a month from August through to May, with the Scottish in July. Would two congresses a month be sustainable, bearing in mind the numbers who play weekenders or would both siffer from players choosing one or another, depending on the players budgets.

Donald and Jim have been great servants to Scottish chess. I hope Donald continues to have the enthusiasm and love for the game and is involved for many years to come. I have the highest regard and respect for him, as I have for the others who organise, arbiter and run chess and chess events in Scotland. This is all well and good but perhaps what they would really like is a helping hand and volunteers to spread the load.