Eligibility Votes - March 2022

[Willie Rutherford]

But FIDE doesn't differentiate, everyone down as SCO is Scottish.  
THey are therefore seen as representing Scotland in any FIDE rated event.  If Matt plays at Hastings for example he is considered as Scottish and representing Scotland for player norms.
If he won the British, he would be classed as Scottish not English.
In addition CS pays FIDE €1 per year for each active SCO player.  I cannot see an argument that we are not paying for him as he is not really Scottish getting anywhere with FIDE!

We cannot use the designation as we choose.  As long as he is registered with FIDE as SCO that's it.  We can decide which team events he is selected for but have no say in many individual events.  This point seems to be missed, possibly because we currently don't have anyone performing at a high enough level.

Would we be trying to stop Matt playing in the Candidates if he was good enough because he was the wrong type of SCO?

There seems to be a total lack of understanding in the way FIDE works but, more importantly, in the amount of work which would be required to ensure that those no longer resident were disenfranchised (which would be required by some suggestions).

Thanks Alex. That does help me understand where you are coming from. I have been indeed focussing on Scottish Champion eligibility and eligibility to be selected to represent Scotland, which as you say, is up to CS not FIDE. But the status quo has allowed MT to "represent" Scotland in individual events up to now with no problem. So just let that continue. Where's the harm? The whole debate was, I thought, about giving him "full eligibility". 

Similarly, those losing their "full eligibility" due to no longer being resident can just keep their SCO codes if they want. CS having to pay €1 for each SCO registered player doesn't seem important on the basis that most, but obviously not all, SCO players are contributing to CS funds through membership and/or grading fees. 

As for MT being SCO in the candidates etc - good luck to him!