English Chess Forum

I think I might be going to Scarborough!!!

I don't know what you do to prevent 'established' players playing in too high a section.

Scarborough does not have a huge number of FIDE 2000+ players. So from that point of view the guess, taken from soundings of players, was not too far out. It is more the number of 1800-1999 that was underestimated. Remember, the form was prepared many months ago and far exceed expectations.

Alex McFarlane wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 14, 2021 3:24 pm

I don't know what you do to prevent 'established' players playing in too high a section.

There would be less incentive to do so if by playing in one's "proper" section one did not run the risk of meeting several underrated juniors.

Jacques Parry wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 14, 2021 7:10 pm

There would be less incentive to do so if by playing in one's "proper" section one did not run the risk of meeting several underrated juniors.

Out of the frying pan, into the fire. There is no escape in the open!

Jacques Parry wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 14, 2021 7:10 pm

There would be less incentive to do so if by playing in one's "proper" section one did not run the risk of meeting several underrated juniors.

Chess in England seems to be dominated by a fear of having to play against "underrated juniors". It is beyond pathetic. Sometimes you face a young opponent who is too good and beats you, just say well played and be happy that the new generation is coming through.

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 14, 2021 9:43 pm

Jacques Parry wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 14, 2021 7:10 pm

There would be less incentive to do so if by playing in one's "proper" section one did not run the risk of meeting several underrated juniors.

Chess in England seems to be dominated by a fear of having to play against "underrated juniors". It is beyond pathetic. Sometimes you face a young opponent who is too good and beats you, just say well played and be happy that the new generation is coming through.

So true.

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 14, 2021 9:43 pm

Chess in England seems to be dominated by a fear of having to play against "underrated juniors". It is beyond pathetic. Sometimes you face a young opponent who is too good and beats you, just say well played and be happy that the new generation is coming through.

Fear has nothing to do with it. If you have any interest in whether you are improving, it's perfectly rational to want opponents whose rating bears some relation to their ability. In my experience, you are more likely to meet such opponents in the higher sections; and that is chiefly (though by no means entirely) because your opponents are more likely to be adults.

I know that fear well. It is something to have a chuckle about post match.

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 14, 2021 9:43 pm

Jacques Parry wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 14, 2021 7:10 pm

There would be less incentive to do so if by playing in one's "proper" section one did not run the risk of meeting several underrated juniors.

Chess in England seems to be dominated by a fear of having to play against "underrated juniors". It is beyond pathetic. Sometimes you face a young opponent who is too good and beats you, just say well played and be happy that the new generation is coming through.

I will do my best to echo those sentiments when I make my over the board comeback tomorrow at the Birmingham Rapid

I feel bad for interrupting, but I suppose since it is the AGM today I'm not completely off topic bringing it up

J T Melsom wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 15, 2021 10:59 pm

There may well be bad behaviour from attendees tomorrow, I wouldn't want to be in the chair if they brought friends along.

I'm hoping this isn't the case today, but I guess we will see.

If you want my prediction, anyone joining by zoom will be frustrated if they want to do more than observe. That is the nature of hybrid meetings.

I assume Chris will want to say his piece at the start of the meeting, and will use the AOB item he raised at the end of the Finance Council to justify it. I guess various ways Michael can choose to handle that. I'd probably ask ask Chris how long he needs to speak for, and if he says anything up to 30 minutes, let him. On the basis that is likely to include criticism of individuals who will want to respond, I would say before he starts anyone named will get up to that amount of time to respond. I'd probably also say at the start I was willing to allow statements but not back and forth discussion unless responses raise new matters of substance. There isn't that much we need to vote on, so might as well let it play out first. But probably lots of equally good ways to do it.

My personal criteria for attending in person was the weather. But I don't think I'm going to get drenched walking from Paddington to the Hellenic centre, so I will be setting off soon.

I am guessing that Chris Fegan might have known David Amess reasonably well

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-fegan-485ab5175

So delegates might wish to bear that in mind.

I can confirm the meeting room at the Hellenic Centre is nicer than the average chess venue and the wifi seems to be working so far

Paul Cooksey wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 16, 2021 12:48 pm

I can confirm the meeting room at the Hellenic Centre is nicer than the average chess venue and the wifi seems to be working so far

I am monitoring "the Twitter" (as termed elsewhere) for signs that #ECFCouncil starts "trending".

The venue looks rather lovely. Are you in the room of wall hung pictures?

There are pictures. We haven't syarted yet (technical issues).

We are going now. John U is being discussed.

Mike Gunn wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 16, 2021 1:54 pm

We are going now. John U is being discussed.

A censure motion has been proposed no doubt?

What would Oscar Wilde say at this point?