30-10-2024, 11:41 AM
Writing this as Andy's club mate and, I think, someone who does things outside of the club and the Glasgow League!
Firstly I would advise Andy not to play OTB and talk to people as that can lead to disqualification and would certainly disturb his opponent!
Secondly, he is, in my opinion, being overly negative. He talks of failure by juniors and mentions one event failing to consider the great successes that our juniors are achieving. Just as one swallow doesn't make a summer, one bad result does not make a crisis. The future of chess in Scotland is brighter than it has been for many years.
Olympiad seeding is a bit misleading. The Olympiad is run as a Swiss, as such only the top and bottom positions are a true reflection of strength. The luck of the draw in the last couple of rounds can mean a difference of 20 or 30 places in the final standings.
Firstly I would advise Andy not to play OTB and talk to people as that can lead to disqualification and would certainly disturb his opponent!
Secondly, he is, in my opinion, being overly negative. He talks of failure by juniors and mentions one event failing to consider the great successes that our juniors are achieving. Just as one swallow doesn't make a summer, one bad result does not make a crisis. The future of chess in Scotland is brighter than it has been for many years.
Olympiad seeding is a bit misleading. The Olympiad is run as a Swiss, as such only the top and bottom positions are a true reflection of strength. The luck of the draw in the last couple of rounds can mean a difference of 20 or 30 places in the final standings.