05-09-2017, 10:21 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-09-2017, 10:35 PM by David Deary.
Edit Reason: Typos
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(31-08-2017, 04:17 PM)Patrick McGovern Wrote: congresses will survive due to hard work, sponsorship and the expertise the volunteers undoubtedly have. internally there have been many association run tournaments that have been postponed/cancelled. chess within Ayrshire is in serious decline. if it had not been for a very generous donation by an office bearer some years ago the association would be close to bankruptcy. Income is at an all time low, sponsorship for association run tournaments is non existent. I fear for Ayrshire chess.
Pat, on the financial side this is simply not the case. As Treasurer at the time, I can confirm that said donation was not from an office bearer. Also, the latest accounts show a surplus for last season of in excess of £200 (Well done John Calder!). Any deficits run up by the Association in my time were for good reason - ie to get coaches and equipment into schools, support for our internationals caps etc.
On the chess front, its a matter of interpretation - the Ayrshire league currently has the highest number of teams its ever had in recent years. The numbers in the Ayrshire Championship are holding steady when viewed over the last decade (this was discussed by the Man Comm this year) and we had in excess of 100 different kids play in the junior tournies, league and championships arranged by Stephen, John & Iain. The challenge is to get these kids into clubs in Ayrshire and playing in the league, championship etc.
With that said, chess in Ayrshire undoubtedly has challenges but its not all doom and gloom!
(02-09-2017, 06:11 PM)AndrewGreen Wrote: I agree with Andy.
If you're good enough, you will win the event and gain rating. By avoiding these tournaments, stronger players are missing out on good opportunities to practice and are damaging Scottish Chess.
I would like international selection to require having played in a certain amount of Scottish Congresses. I think this is part of junior selection, why not for adult selection?
100% agree with this!
There should be a minimum requirement to play in Scottish Congresses to represent the national team.
Growing old is compulsory, growing up is optional!