English Chess Forum

In these challenging times increasing (hurrah!) numbers of parents are seeking online teaching and coaching for their children.

As far as I know our governing body has not replaced the accreditation scheme deprecated some time ago.

I would respectfully suggest that now, more than ever, such a scheme is desirable and justified.

I am party to the allegiance founded by Rob Wilmoth and that is doing positive things independent of the governing body.

Some of us for whom a substantive portion of their income was gained from operating school chess clubs have been bereft of income since March 2020.

Any measures (including coach accreditation and recognition) would be most welcome.

Is anything positive in this regard on the horizon?

Other than safeguarding/DMS I'm not sure what the ECF could reasonably require. I'm tempted to say a rating over 2200, but I would be trolling really.

"I'm tempted to say a rating over 2200"

I know teachers who would probably be rated nearer 1200, who would be good with beginners, partly due to crowd control skills.

Obviously, a stronger player is needed for the stronger pupils.

But then you end up with different titles of coach, and who is going to do the accreditation?

I have been made aware of a scheme adopted by many countries (but not England as you might expect) that is administered by the European Chess Union (ECU.

So, an English coach could be accredited by the ECU and not wait for the ECF to make progress in this area.

Paul Cooksey wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 30, 2020 5:52 pm

https://edu.europechess.org/ecu-certifi ... g-courses/

refers to an organisation called "ChessPlus".

A former ECF Director seems to be a leading figure.
https://chessplus.net/blog/

Unless they've made up, he may not be on the best of terms with the ECF's current Junior Director.

Kevin Thurlow wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 30, 2020 5:41 pm

"I'm tempted to say a rating over 2200"

I know teachers who would probably be rated nearer 1200, who would be good with beginners, partly due to crowd control skills.

Obviously, a stronger player is needed for the stronger pupils.

But then you end up with different titles of coach, and who is going to do the accreditation?

Sounds right to me.