06-08-2012, 08:42 AM
I tend to agree with Angus on this one.
My thoughts on a 'new' structure for junior chess:
A 2100 FIDE or Scottish Grading for a 16yo might be something to aspire to if we had the system that Pat detailed (that is used in Slovakia) but until we have such a system imposing a 2100 rating barrier would be exactly that, it would exclude players from representing Scotland. If we take it to the next logical step what would the rating barriers be for the Olympiad teams and the Seniors teams?
In my view, any system for development of juniors should afford equal opportunities to all players for improvement and I'm not greatly in favour of cherry picking players who are deemed to have 'potential'. As, I say certain people develop quicker or slower and learn in different ways. Any system we have would need to have a degree of flexibility within it.
Furthermore, it is not nice for juniors to read what could be considered as negative comments before they compete at various events this year. My brother reads this forum as I'm sure many of the Under 16s do. (He refers to me as a troll - not sure what that is!) I'm also sure the comments are not intended to be negative or to single out individuals but this is a debate that should be held offline. Perhaps, my skin is not thick and I am being overprotective but I'd be happier if we had this debate at a meeting rather than on the forum.
At any rate, as Angus alluded to, is this the correct time or place for this debate? Its certainly not the right place as this thread was for funding and ideally for providing ideas for those approaching their MPs/MSPs or local businesses to get additional funding into Junior chess. We've moved quite far away from that now. If the debate is to be held - create a new thread but I'm not sure we need the debate on an online forum as I mentioned above.
On the funding issue, I wonder if the structure (like in Slovakia) was in place before the governmrnt funding was granted or if the funding helped build the structure. Its something that it may be worth asking our fellow Chess Unions/Federations in Europe.
My thoughts on a 'new' structure for junior chess:
A 2100 FIDE or Scottish Grading for a 16yo might be something to aspire to if we had the system that Pat detailed (that is used in Slovakia) but until we have such a system imposing a 2100 rating barrier would be exactly that, it would exclude players from representing Scotland. If we take it to the next logical step what would the rating barriers be for the Olympiad teams and the Seniors teams?
In my view, any system for development of juniors should afford equal opportunities to all players for improvement and I'm not greatly in favour of cherry picking players who are deemed to have 'potential'. As, I say certain people develop quicker or slower and learn in different ways. Any system we have would need to have a degree of flexibility within it.
Furthermore, it is not nice for juniors to read what could be considered as negative comments before they compete at various events this year. My brother reads this forum as I'm sure many of the Under 16s do. (He refers to me as a troll - not sure what that is!) I'm also sure the comments are not intended to be negative or to single out individuals but this is a debate that should be held offline. Perhaps, my skin is not thick and I am being overprotective but I'd be happier if we had this debate at a meeting rather than on the forum.
At any rate, as Angus alluded to, is this the correct time or place for this debate? Its certainly not the right place as this thread was for funding and ideally for providing ideas for those approaching their MPs/MSPs or local businesses to get additional funding into Junior chess. We've moved quite far away from that now. If the debate is to be held - create a new thread but I'm not sure we need the debate on an online forum as I mentioned above.
On the funding issue, I wonder if the structure (like in Slovakia) was in place before the governmrnt funding was granted or if the funding helped build the structure. Its something that it may be worth asking our fellow Chess Unions/Federations in Europe.
Growing old is compulsory, growing up is optional!