Search found 189 matches

by Paul Sanders
Tue Sep 15, 2015 10:52 am
Forum: Live Games
Topic: Live Games Transmission - Why Bother?
Replies: 27
Views: 6533

Re: Live Games Transmission - Why Bother?

3. From recollection, we have never received an email from anyone even saying they watch it, let alone thanking us for providing the service. Thank you very much for providing the service. And genuine thanks for the reminder that nobody should take anything for granted. One factor you might not hav...
by Paul Sanders
Wed Dec 17, 2014 10:54 am
Forum: Junior Chess
Topic: Junior Selection Policy
Replies: 10
Views: 4423

Re: Junior Selection Policy

An alternative to this rather authoritarian approach might be just to sign the entry forms to FIDE tournaments for qualified juniors, and let the parents organise the transport and coaching independently. As the ECF does not subsidise representative players it seems less than justifiable to set cond...
by Paul Sanders
Thu Jul 24, 2014 11:48 am
Forum: International News
Topic: Olympiad
Replies: 774
Views: 70162

Re: Olympiad

Currently we are considering fairly costly ways to help Gawain Jones and David Howell make progress as players. What if one or both of them were to change federations subsequently? An agreement requiring the costs to be refunded, along with some compensation for the opportunity lost in not supporti...
by Paul Sanders
Fri Mar 28, 2014 6:09 pm
Forum: Junior Chess
Topic: Residential Chess Camp in UK – August
Replies: 19
Views: 5140

Re: Residential Chess Camp in UK – August

As it happens, the other day I compiled some figures on precisely this for a possible future blog post. In the UK there are 31 players born between 1995 and 2001 with a FIDE rating of 2000 or higher. Some figures from other Western European countries: Germany 147, Spain 122, France 86, Italy 51, Ne...
by Paul Sanders
Fri Mar 21, 2014 3:47 pm
Forum: Not Chess!
Topic: The growth of other strategy games
Replies: 38
Views: 3992

Re: The growth of other strategy games

The strong and very pleasant Cannes Open in February is part of an amazing festival of games:

http://www.festivaldesjeux-cannes.com/3.aspx
by Paul Sanders
Tue Mar 11, 2014 11:28 am
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: Emergency Board Meeting - Draft Minutes
Replies: 565
Views: 71321

Re: Emergency Board Meeting - Draft Minutes

Or perhaps dispense with the need for a President altogether. Why not run it like a normal commercial enterprise and just have a CEO which hopefully would be clearer and lead to a lot less disputes. A normal commercial enterprise has a Chairman of a board of directors who more or less represent the...
by Paul Sanders
Mon Mar 10, 2014 5:10 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Media comments on chess
Replies: 5977
Views: 741895

Re: Media comments on chess

Chess as prison rehabilitation in Uruguay:

http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/vie ... 41313.html

An escape from the reality of prison, a way to stay out once released, and a strong desire to share the benefits. Heartwarming story.
by Paul Sanders
Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:09 pm
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: ECF International budget
Replies: 22
Views: 4768

Re: ECF International budget

What I actually think they should do is to decide the proper proportions of the budget in principle. What the ECF should be supporting as a matter of fairness and strategic priorities. And this can be done in an open, transparent way without needing to talk about Nigel's fee, etc. Adding in Junior ...
by Paul Sanders
Wed Feb 19, 2014 10:07 am
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: Resignation Rumours
Replies: 259
Views: 34247

Re: Resignation Rumours

The advice I was given by someone much wiser than I a few years ago, when I was struggling to manage a complex and ungovernable situation, was: "Do less, and do it better." As a parent of a chess player who is ambitious and very hard working I have to look wistfully at how much real and practical su...
by Paul Sanders
Wed Jan 08, 2014 4:40 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Magnus Carlsen: Times Young person of the year
Replies: 4
Views: 1897

Re: Magnus Carlsen: Times Young person of the year

Big feature with photo in the FT today also, focusing on the future of chess as well as Carlsen's position in it.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d4a7bf76-77be ... abdc0.html
by Paul Sanders
Fri Oct 18, 2013 11:30 am
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: Membership initiatives
Replies: 15
Views: 3666

Re: Membership initiatives

I don't know how valid it is, but here is a point of comparison:

http://www.rank.com/our_businesses/mecca_bingo.jsp
by Paul Sanders
Wed Oct 09, 2013 3:56 pm
Forum: Junior Chess
Topic: ECF Junior Selection Policy -- annual consultation
Replies: 16
Views: 3546

Re: ECF Junior Selection Policy -- annual consultation

You can already donate towards juniors chess via the ECF web site at the junior page under contact and support then click on financial donations i wonder how much has been raised over the last year does any one know? I hope nobody would see putting a button on a website as equivalent to asking peop...
by Paul Sanders
Wed Oct 09, 2013 3:21 pm
Forum: Junior Chess
Topic: ECF Junior Selection Policy -- annual consultation
Replies: 16
Views: 3546

Re: ECF Junior Selection Policy -- annual consultation

Only a few adults might contribute, but surely there is no harm in making it easy for them, by for instance having a voluntary option when they renew their memberships, and starting an official ECF Junior Support fund, ring-fenced of course. If you ask and everybody says no you end up learning somet...
by Paul Sanders
Wed Oct 09, 2013 2:45 pm
Forum: Junior Chess
Topic: ECF Junior Selection Policy -- annual consultation
Replies: 16
Views: 3546

Re: ECF Junior Selection Policy -- annual consultation

If there are kids like this for whom removing the burden of these costs means that they can attend (having qualified by the rules) then the policy needs to be reviewed to help them to attend. A better alternative than withdrawing the mentoring and support would be to add "raise money to support jun...