14-08-2016, 10:32 AM
robin moore Wrote:Jonathan,
I don't agree with you that the Scottish game is doomed. Speaking from an Ayrshire perspective we have...
Ayr congress
Largs congress
Irvine Spring congress
Marymass congress
Stewarton allegro
Prestwick allegro
Ayrshire Masters
Irvine Open
The Ayrshire Chess Association also run the very successful Ayrshire individual Championships, three leagues plus many smaller adult and junior events. Apologies if I have missed any out.
Now, if you feel there is a lack of events in your neck of the woods then you have to tackle that as individuals and local associations and I am certain that ChessScotland will help in any way possible.
Hi Robin with all respect, the events listed does nothing to tell the story. The true picture is all established congresses are well known to be in long term decline
Ayr which is probably the most popular and plush, and my personal favourite is down significantly in numbers. And there was until recently the 2 Ayrshire congresses running during the season. I am sure if you compare the last 2 years data from the CS grading pages you will see the weekenders all show a clear decline. And what about Glasgow which has not ran for what 3 years now? One of the most accessible congress in the West, gone and yet to reappear.
I prefer to look at the numbers attending the established core congresses as a measure of decline (or a most unlikely upturn), along with the actual state and membership numbers of clubs. That's a logical decline gauge for me. New events come and go and are frequently modified. Looking at the established congresses paints quite a different picture to just looking at the number of events available. The spread of events has to be significant also (i.e. reduction in choice, challengers being merged into other events). As does factors like the decrease in prize money.
We all love our chess, but I don't really know how much more evidence we need before there is some country wide realisation that the game is doomed. Is like the Ice Age, it is happening, just not as obvious as you might think. The ice melted over time, and the chess boards are disappearing from the landscape too. So as a Glenrothes, Glasgow or Lothians disappear. We loose a Sabre Tooth Tiger, a Woolly Mammoth and a Plesiosaur.
2016-15, 2015/14, 2014/13 Season Congress Numbers displayed below
AYR - 95, 114, 117 * (*includes 7 for 1 day Junior event)
MARYMASS - 88, 78, 91
LARGS - 54, 44, 71* (* includes 10 for 1 day Junior event)
DUNDEE - 114, 134, 127
OBAN - 111, 100, 93
EDINBURGH - 171, 207, 188
Source Data
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