ECF AGM 14th November 2026

[John Reyes]

Nominations are invited for the positions detailed below, which will be the subject of elections to be held at the Annual General Meeting on 14th November 2026. Posts due for election are listed below together with the intentions of the current holders regarding re-standing.

Members of the Board

Home Chess Development Director – Yuri Krylov is intending to stand
Non- Executive Chair of the Board – Stephen Woodhouse is intending to stand
Non-Executive Director – J C Le Saux is intending to stand

Other elected posts

Chair of the Finance Committee – Daniel Lindner is intending to stand

Members of the Finance Committee – David Eustace is standing down
Members of the Governance Committee – Michael Farthing and David Eustace are standing down

Notes

To be eligible to stand for election, a candidate must be a member of the ECF on the day of the AGM.

Each candidate for a post must be a nominee of the Board or a person proposed by ‘the Requisitionists’ as defined in the Articles (see the website post https://www.englishchess.org.uk/ecf-agm ... motions-3/).

Nominations must be made by Thursday 8th October 2026 by sending an email to the Chair of Council at [email protected] entitled ‘AGM 2026 Nominations’.

The AGM agenda will only set out that a candidate has been duly nominated to stand for election. The names of nominators will not be included.

Election Addresses

A duly nominated candidate has the right to have an election address published on the ECF website. The body of the election address must be no more than 750 words in length. All election addresses must be received by Thursday 15th October 2026. All received election addresses will be published simultaneously on the website: any election addresses received after the deadline will not be published.

Election addresses are published in PDF format. Addresses submitted in this format will be published as received, preserving any internal formatting. Addresses submitted in other formats, including plain text, will be converted into PDF format (or referred back if the format is not known to us). Exact formatting match cannot in these cases be guaranteed. Revisions to a submitted address will be permitted up to the nomination deadline but must be complete resubmissions – the Chair or ECF staff will not make alterations on behalf of candidates. After the deadline no revised submissions will be accepted, even of a minor nature.

Conduct of Candidates

Candidates are required to comply with the Code of Conduct – Regulation No. 4 – for the election campaign period.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of individual directors are set out in the Directors and Officers Responsibilities Regulations – Regulation No. 2 – which is available on the ECF website. Candidates should note that the Board has the power to amend these Regulations at any time.

— David Eustace, Chair of Council

[John Reyes]

Agenda for the ECF Annual General Meeting of 14 November 2026
commencing at 12.00 midday

To be held at t h e Crowne Plaza hotel Leeds , Wellington Street ,
LEEDS LS1 4DL ;


There will also be video conference access for representatives via Zoom.

Details
are provided in the covering notice of the meeting.
ECF direct members are invited to join the meeting as observers. Potential
attendees should contact the Chair of Council to reserve a place by 11th November.

1 Appointment of Chair
If the Chair of Council is not present within 15 minutes after the time appointed for
the holding of the meeting, then Council shall elect one of its members to chair the
meeting.

2 Observation of a minute’s silence
For colleagues who have died since the last meeting.

3 Notices
(a) Representatives are directed to the Council Database for the
information usually on display at meetings, namely:
Details of voting entitlements.
Apologies for absence,
Members voting by individual proxy,
Members voting by proxy to the Chair of the Meeting.
(b) Announcement of others in attendance with the permission of the
Chair.

4 Minutes of the Last Meeting on 10 June 2026
Approval and if necessary, amendment of the minutes. [C45.4]
Council resolves that the Chair of the meeting shall sign the minutes of the
Finance Council Meeting on 10 June 2026 as being an accurate record.

5 Matters Arising from these Minutes and not otherwise on the agenda.

ECF AGM Agenda 14 November
2026
C43

6 To receive and approve the following reports:
(a) The Board of Directors’ Report [C45.6a]
(b) Report from the Non-Executive Directors [C45.6b]
(c) Finance Director’s report [C45.6c]
(d) The Report of the Chair of the Finance Committee [C45.6d]
(e) Report of the Chair of the Governance Committee [C45.6e]
(f) Report on International Chess & External Relations [C45.6f]
(g) Report on Future Proofing the IT Estate ?? [C45.6g]
7 The Strategy Statement and Business Plan [C45.7a]

8 Award of Honorary Life Vice President
Appointment of Mike Truran as Honorary Life Vice President

9 Elections

Note: The director elections are repeated from last year in order to align director
appointments so that the number of director elections are balanced from year to each
year. The six candidates have all been duly nominated. All elections are for a three
year term except where noted.

(a) Non-Executive Chair of the Board - Stephen Woodhouse [C45.9a]
(b) Home Chess Development Director - Yuri Krylov [C45.9b]
(c) Non-Executive Directors - JC Le Saux [C45.9c]
(d) Chair of the Finance Committee - Daniel Lindner [C45.9d]
(for remaining term as member of Finance Committee – two years)
(e) Member of the Governance Committee - Peter Hornsby [C45.9e]
(existing member )
(f) Member of the Finance Committee - Ray Clark [C45.9f]
(existing member)

ECF AGM Agenda 14 November
2026 C43
10 Appointment of Auditor
The reappointment of Watson Associates for the year ending 31st August 2027 is proposed.

11 Constitutional Changes
Resolution amending byelaws – 2026 AGM
An ordinary resolution THAT:
1. Bye Law No. 1 (the Direct Members Bye Laws) be amended by:
(a) in paragraph 1 in the definition of each of “Bronze Concessionary Members”,
“Bronze Members”, “Gold Concessionary Members”, “Gold Members” and
“Platinum Members” deleting the words “become Direct Members of the Company
pursuant to Article 5 (16)” and replacing them with “who are Direct Members of the
Company as referred to in Article 6 (14);
(b) in paragraph 2, in the first sentence deleting “Articles 12” and replacing it with
“Article 11”;
(c) in paragraph 4, deleting “the Membership Director” and replacing it with “the
Board”;
(d) in paragraph 5.4, inserting as a first sentence: “Elections for the posts of Direct
Members’ Representatives shall be run by the Chair of the Council” and at the end of
the current third sentence deleting the word “Board” and replacing it with “Chair of
the Council”;
2. Bye Law No. 2 (the Game Fee Bye Laws) be amended by inserting the words “and
rapidplay” after the word “standardplay” in paragraph 2.3;
3. Bye Law No. 3 (the Procedural Bye Laws) be amended by inserting in paragraph 3.1.8
after the second use of the word “ensure” the words “, in conjunction with the voting
registration officer (an officer who reports to the Chair of the Council),”, replacing “he
is” with “they are” in paragraph 3.1.10, “his right” with “their right” in paragraph 3.1.14,
“himself” with “themself” in paragraph 8.8, inserting “or 22.30” after “18.00” in
paragraph 8.10.15 and correcting the misspelling of “for” and “proposer” in paragraph
11.1.1;
4. Bye Law No. 4 (the Financial Bye-Laws) be amended in the first paragraph by replacing
“Article 85” with “Article 86”.
Details to be provided by Robert initially
All the above changes are minor and are either tidying-up in nature or to reflect changes
in practice.

ECF AGM Agenda 14 November
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12 Motion by Barbara Farrar – Direct Member Representative – Gold [C45.12]
Proposed request to the Board
That the ECF Board appoint an arbiter with relevant experience to lead a review,
with input from organisers, arbiters and interested players, of whether and under
what conditions a short comfort break could be accommodated during classical
games at ECF events. The review should report its findings and
recommendations to the Board before any decision is a made about a pilot, event
procedure or rule change.

14 Any Other Business
To consider any other business, notice of which has been given to the Chair of
the Meeting and which is of a minor nature only. Matters of substance may not
be raised under this heading except in terms of information or a preliminary
notification of important business for a future meeting.

15 Time and Place of Future Meetings
To approve the dates of the Finance Council and AGM in 2027:
Council resolves that in 2027 its Finance Meeting shall be held by video
conference only on Wednesday 16th June 2027 and its Annual General
Meeting shall be held in London, with access also by video conference, on
Saturday 13th November 2027.

13 ECF Awards
AGM at 16.00.
There will be an ECF Awards ceremony immediately after the conclusion of the
Ceremony details of the awards can be found at:
https://www.englishchess.org.uk/ecf-awards-2026/
Note: Council representatives are entitled to appoint a proxy. A proxy need not
be a member of the Company. Notification of proxies must be received by the
end of Wednesday 11th November using the form of words in the Articles of
Association (and notified separately to members in the letter accompanying the
agenda).

[Roger de Coverly]

ECF AGM Agenda 14 November
2026 C43

12 Motion by Barbara Farrar – Direct Member Representative – Gold [C45.12]
Proposed request to the Board
That the ECF Board appoint an arbiter with relevant experience to lead a review,
with input from organisers, arbiters and interested players, of whether and under
what conditions a short comfort break could be accommodated during classical
games at ECF events. The review should report its findings and
recommendations to the Board before any decision is a made about a pilot, event
procedure or rule change.

Any idea what's behind this? The long standing convention is that you can leave the board whilst your opponent's clock is running and it's your risk as to whether a move has been made before your return.

[NickFaulks]

Any idea what's behind this?

She's your rep, Roger! I presumed you would have been told.

[John Reyes]

ECF AGM Agenda 14 November
2026 C43

12 Motion by Barbara Farrar – Direct Member Representative – Gold [C45.12]
Proposed request to the Board
That the ECF Board appoint an arbiter with relevant experience to lead a review,
with input from organisers, arbiters and interested players, of whether and under
what conditions a short comfort break could be accommodated during classical
games at ECF events. The review should report its findings and
recommendations to the Board before any decision is a made about a pilot, event
procedure or rule change.

Any idea what's behind this? The long standing convention is that you can leave the board whilst your opponent's clock is running and it's your risk as to whether a move has been made before your return.

This was raised by Barbara Farrar. I can confirm that the matter was raised to Barbara (in her words) by GM Keith Arkell and WCW Sandra Onuvough (née Aramude), who expressed concerns that players may be unable to take a bathroom break when they are short of time.

I did not support the proposal for several reasons. The main reason is that I would rather gather a range of views before making a decision, to determine whether there is genuine demand for action. Our members are the people we support and, as anyone who knows me well will appreciate, the views of our members come first.

[Roger de Coverly]

who expressed concerns that players may be unable to take a bathroom break when they are short of time.

I think you are reliant on the goodwill and sporting gestures of your opponent in these circumstances. You leave the board while they are thinking and trust that they will defer making a move until your return.

[John Upham]

Will a ladies short comfort break be longer or shorter (or about the same) than a gentleman's short comfort break?

[Ian Thompson]

ECF AGM Agenda 14 November
2026 C43

12 Motion by Barbara Farrar – Direct Member Representative – Gold [C45.12]
Proposed request to the Board
That the ECF Board appoint an arbiter with relevant experience to lead a review,
with input from organisers, arbiters and interested players, of whether and under
what conditions a short comfort break could be accommodated during classical
games at ECF events. The review should report its findings and
recommendations to the Board before any decision is a made about a pilot, event
procedure or rule change.

Any idea what's behind this?

No, because the rep has not "consulted with [Direct Members] in relation to material agenda items at general meetings of the Company and any other relevant matters of substance" as far as I'm aware.

If a player has a specific need for the game to be interrupted, they already have the right to ask the arbiter to stop the clocks while it's dealt with. It's then up to the arbiter to decide whether or not to do so.

[Thomas Rendle]

For ECF events I assume players can bring relevant medical issues, including the need to visit the toilet more often than usual, to the arbiters before the game or event. I assume rules are that reasonable accommodations can be made, as they are for other situations.

For most people you go when you get a chance, and then avoid drinking too much water if you're going to be playing a long endgame on increment.

[Adam Ashton]

who expressed concerns that players may be unable to take a bathroom break when they are short of time.

I think you are reliant on the goodwill and sporting gestures of your opponent in these circumstances. You leave the board while they are thinking and trust that they will defer making a move until your return.

I think taking a quick toilet break (even in your own time if your opponent is playing very quickly) before any time trouble becomes serious enough to prevent it is just common sense tbh.

The problem is any stopping of the clocks disrupts the flow of the game and could also easily be gamed by players short of time. If both players are in blitz mode and after a sharp but probably dubious move, one player suddenly decides to take a comfort break, it could easily decide the game.

[Matt Mackenzie]

Yes, this seems to be a case of something best left well alone.

If somebody desperately needs a toilet break for whatever reason, the arbiter can already allow for that if they deem it justified.

[John Townsend]

Roger wrote:

"Any idea what's behind this? The long standing convention is that you can leave the board whilst your opponent's clock is running and it's your risk as to whether a move has been made before your return."

You've said it all, Roger. Some players may like to have their comfort break in - well,comfort.

[Alex Holowczak]

I wish to thank Barbara for advance sighting of the proposal - well, strictly, a very similar one. I sent this email back to her, and it appears that she did indeed wish to proceed with it. At least we already have significant input from arbiters.

*****

I took the opportunity to share this proposal in the ECF's arbiter group chat to see what they thought. I am sharing the comments below, in order for you to consider whether or not you wish to proceed with your proposal.

"Comfort break in a classical game?
Take as long as you like, your clock will be running."

"I love it. Has she given any thought to how it will be administered? All players short of time will want this extra thinking time so let's say 15 claims per 100 players. The arbiter is busy watching clocks at this point so the intrusion of a player asking for the clock to be paused will not be a problem!!! All the arbiter has to do is to note the clock time of the request and the board number and to be at the board exactly 3 minutes later to restart the clock! Multiply that by 15 and also observe the other games where there are time scramble. How many additional arbiters will be needed?"

"Great, 200 boards, 4 floor arbiters and a requirement for a clipboard with 20 stopwatch each in the last 5 minutes whilst also dealing with time scrambles. What can go wrong."

"I propose a new time control:
87 mins plus a three minute comfort break per player; plus a 30 second increment from move 1.
Agreed!!
Sorted!!"

"Also not to mention if multiple games need breaks, it’s going to be very hard to keep track of all of them, as well as ensuring that the players are not getting extra thinking time during that break in case of a time scramble."

"But also all the players going simultaneously will also cause a delay in the toilet, probably longer than the 3 minute break so they could end up worse off!"

"It can't not be extra thinking time. Am I meant to not think about my game while I'm on the loo?"

"Is this a serious proposal or just something from a parody account?"

"It is bonkers"

"I’m tempted to wonder if they have actually been to a chess tournament recently, but that might appear overly rude."

"And arbiters and organisers will subvert it should the proposal be adopted by the ECF. I have every faith that my fellow arbiters will deal with it and that almost nothing will change.
Certainly other federation’s arbiters will make a point of having a laugh should it be adopted. So I trust there will be sufficient voting with some arbiter/organiser experience to block this should it actually come forward."

"The problem is not that one player might need it but if formalised what happens when 100+ players demand their right."

"Some ideas are so bad you don't need practical tests."

"I am not in favour of this at all. You have your time same as your opponent. Go to the loo before you get short on time. Chess is about managing all your resources, especially time."

"Perhaps only extreme ridicule, taking the piss, will be the only way to stop this nonsense being approved."

"Completely unenforceable and gives an advantage to someone in time trouble. Introduces a number of extra fair play concerns when arbiters are doing many other jobs.
If you need a break use the allocated thinking time available. Id be voting no to this."

The group is now sharing and discussing this Monty Python clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hMb-H7pglk

I hope this feedback is useful as you decide whether or not to proceed with the proposal.

Regards,

Alex

[Christopher Kreuzer]

I am not sure divulging the contents of such a chat in public is the best way forward here. Even if you have not named them, those arbiters posting there had a reasonable expectation that their comments would not be made public (some of the comments do not cast the aforesaid arbiters in a good light).

[Alex Holowczak]

I am not sure divulging the contents of such a chat in public is the best way forward here. Even if you have not named them, those arbiters posting there had a reasonable expectation that their comments would not be made public (some of the comments do not cast the aforesaid arbiters in a good light).

The proposal called for arbiters to be consulted. I agree with the proposer that consulting them is very important. The response to that consultation was shared with the proposer, and now that the proposal is public I thought it appropriate for the results of the consultation to be public too.