English Chess Forum

My question was intended to ask congress organisers how they decide when it comes to people who could play in a lower section, wanting to play in a higher section. OK! Most of the time I don't think about it, I only check to make sure they are eligible for that section. Then if I notice they have e...

This meant he was effectively paying £25 for 3 games I sometimes feel like this when I turn up and find I am playing a Grandmaster in the first round. However, I know that if I enter an Open this is likely. The stronger players know that they are entering an Open tournament, and could face any sta...

Someone downthread mentioned France - Hastings club members have becomer regulars at the four or five French rapidplays near the other end of Eurotunnel. I appreciate what you mean about cost, Paul. Which five French rapidplays are they? If you can post the names and places then I am sure that Goog...

Is it possible to get notifications of replies to posts, or new posts in particular threads?

My question to congress organisers is how do you decide which section a player should be in if they wish to enter a section higher then their grading? There should be no bar to players having ambition! I would never force anyone to play in the lowest section possible, but I might advise them approp...

In terms of good London tournaments, I'd add both Metropolitan and Ilford to the list. Thew new venue for the Metropolitan places it in a fantastic location right on the River Thames, and the playing hall is excellent. The only downside is the rather cold and bleak analysis room/cafe, but the compe...

It has always been a tradition in the UK to hold large chess tournaments on Bank Holidays, for instance. The clash was never a problem in the past. Today, I would guess that more people play chess than ever. I know several kids who learned chess thinking it was a computer game, as it came pre-instal...

There can never be too many tournaments! As long as the dates are arranged well in advance and with due consideration (avoiding clashes with other local events), then let's have more, and more variety. When I first started playing tournament chess the London scene was packed; an event every weekend ...

This month's event had 101 entries! The crosstable is on our website now. Thanks to Howard Grist for doing all our grading work! On Saturday the 13th June 2009 we host another of our monthly rapidplays (half an hour per player for the game) at Golders Green. We have set dates for the whole of 2009, ...

It is sad to see that Manuel Weeks has resigned from his post 'for personal reasons'. Is there any further information about why he resigned beyond this?

Sorry Stewart, I didn't express myself well. Adam can, or could, make the proposal for a sweeping change to the British Open Championship, but he has never hitherto done so, at last as far as I know. What on earth makes him think having a few random Russian-speaking GMs in the event would increase p...

It is most unlikely that a sponsor would be in favour of a random Indian winning the British Championship. It might be different if Anand entered of course! People are muddling what they think would be an attractive event and what would give sponsors publicity. By the way, you probably have not tho...

I too liked the participation of Commonwealth players. But the situation could not continue because the event was being overwhelmed by strong Indian players. This was also true of the junior championships. The British Chess Championships should be a flagship event. It should be as strong as it can ...

City of London Summer Rapidplay League: Clubs are invited to enter a team in the City Summer Rapidplay League, which will run from June to August at Golden Lane, Barbican. The format will be 4- or 5-board teams playing a round robin over around 10 weeks (the number of boards will depend upon the num...

My gut reaction is that the Major section seems quite small at the moment, so increasing the grade limit there might be positive. Thanks for your comments, Matt! I agree with you; the Major is the section where the greatest change to the number of entrants can be made. But the Open is also a modest...