14-03-2014, 08:50 PM
Much as I respect Pat's opinion on this, I think he's wrong (and that's going to cost me a pint ot two!).
If Scotland wish to compete at junior international level, it must be controlled by ChessScotland (CS), the national body.
If independent junior organisations select players from different regions for international honours, with different grading databases, it would become a lottery.
How can you compare independent grading databases against each other?
If SJC (for example) are using a grading database based on Lanarkshire schools, all that would achieve is finding the best child in his/her class/year/school. SJC have a great grass roots approach in local primary schools but is the player that comes out on top the best player of their age in Scotland? Possible, but highly unlikely.
It is much more likely that the top Scottish player of the relevant agegroup is playing in multiple events in all areas of Scotland and further afield, including adult congresses.
If Scotland wish to compete at junior international level, it must be controlled by ChessScotland (CS), the national body.
If independent junior organisations select players from different regions for international honours, with different grading databases, it would become a lottery.
How can you compare independent grading databases against each other?
If SJC (for example) are using a grading database based on Lanarkshire schools, all that would achieve is finding the best child in his/her class/year/school. SJC have a great grass roots approach in local primary schools but is the player that comes out on top the best player of their age in Scotland? Possible, but highly unlikely.
It is much more likely that the top Scottish player of the relevant agegroup is playing in multiple events in all areas of Scotland and further afield, including adult congresses.