Eligibility Votes - March 2022

[Douglas Bryson]

I had not appreciated MT had been awarded SCO registration despite not meeting the national body's eligibility criteria. 

The allocation of the SCO registration in 2011 was made in the full knowledge it did not meet the published criteria. Those who encouraged the presentation of the transfer request were initially trying to assist a player who was at risk of being FIDE deregistered by England. There was also the belief that there would be a subsequent grandfather vote which would mean a full meeting of the CS criteria. CS officials may not have appreciated at the time the consequences of what they were proposing. 

However MT has at no time been pushing for international places or championship titles and had asked simply if he could be Scotland registered to continue being able to play FIDE rated events. The outcome of the 2019 Championship which included a share of the title has provoked the requirement to revisit the issue.

If members vote Yes they agree with the proposal then Matthew Turner will then have the same
rights as any other SCO badged player from the date of the completion of this vote.

If members vote No they disagree then Matthew Turner would retain his Scotland registration but
would only qualify for full SCO rights if he completed a two year period of residency.