Media comments on chess

[David Robertson]

Sorry to distract from commentary on one pile of rubbish. But here's Geoff Boycott on another load of garbage!

"I think the modern young player grows up with so much one-day cricket, he gets used to playing and having to play lots of attacking shots to every ball bowled in Twenty20 and 50-over cricket. When it comes to Test matches you want them to change and adapt, and sometimes play carefully and sensibly. It's a five-day match, it's like playing chess. Chess doesn't happen in 10-15 minutes, it goes on for hours. You have to think your way through situations. They've forgotten the art of that" Guardian

[JustinHorton]

FIDE is controlled by a nutter

No it isn't. Whatever else he is or isn't, he's not a "nutter", nor "crazy" (Dominic Lawson's term from the NYT if my memory serves).

I'd maybe comment on the interview but presumably it merits its own thread on the ECF page?

[Roger de Coverly]

No it isn't. Whatever else he is or isn't, he's not a "nutter", nor "crazy"

I'm not sure what fine distinctions of language you are trying to make, but in the context of why international companies are reluctant to sponsor chess, the President of FIDE comes fairly high on the list, or so I would have thought. At the very least it gives them an easy reason for rejection.

The context was why the ECF and ECF Officials try to keep their distance from the existing establishment of FIDE and ECU.

[JustinHorton]

No it isn't. Whatever else he is or isn't, he's not a "nutter", nor "crazy"

I'm not sure what fine distinctions of language you are trying to make

There's a very large difference between holding a bizarre and irrational belief, and being unable to function normally psychologically. It's quite important. I mean I also think we probably shouldn't be calling people "nutter" anyway, but that's not really my point here. Kirsan is a rational thinking individual.

but in the context of why international companies are reluctant to sponsor chess, the President of FIDE comes fairly high on the list, or so I would have thought.

I wouldn't. I think international companies are reluctant to sponsor chess because they don't think it'll bring them much publicity. Companies sponsor all sorts of sports run by all sorts of dubious people (it's not like the World Cup is going to go short of sponsors) and come to that they're occasionally run by dubious people themselves.

You might be right that it gives them an excuse, but it's not the reason. Chess doesn't attract sponsors because chess isn't popular.

[Angus French]

... in the context of why international companies are reluctant to sponsor chess, the President of FIDE comes fairly high on the list.

That sounds plausible but who actually says it?... and is there a reason they might say it?

The context was why the ECF and ECF Officials try to keep their distance from the existing establishment of FIDE and ECU.

I'm pleased to see that the new Board is reviewing its relationships with FIDE, the ECU and other NGBs (minutes for the Board Meeting of 1 Nov 2013, item 20). My guess is it needs to be more constructive if it wishes to influence.

[Roger de Coverly]

That sounds plausible but who actually says it?... and is there a reason they might say it?

A former world champion says it and was saying it long before he got greatly involved personally in trying to remove Kirsan and his gang from office. Ask this, would MPs be queuing up for photo-opportunities if Kirsan were to visit the Houses of Parliament?

[Roger de Coverly]

Chess doesn't attract sponsors because chess isn't popular.

In the UK maybe, at least in comparison to thirty or forty years ago. But worldwide too? The Indian Federation are now bragging that including inactive players, they now have the highest headcount on the FIDE rating list. Forty years ago, they had, I think, just the one IM.

[NickFaulks]

That sounds plausible but who actually says it?... and is there a reason they might say it?

A former world champion says it

I don't think the big sponsors have generally fond memories of dealing with that former world champion, either.

[Geoff Chandler]

"Ask this, would MPs be queuing up for photo-opportunities if Kirsan were to visit the Houses of Parliament?"

Yes if they were chasing the Alien Vote.

[Stewart Reuben]

LUCAN part 1 this evening on ITV.
It is mentioned that Michael Stoop lent Lord Lucan a car sometimes earlier than the night of the incident.
Michael played several times in Gibraltar and volunteered some information on his being part of the 'circle'. Thus he may have been the last person to see Lord Lucan alive.
I certainly did not try to press Michael into revealing anything. Of course, he has since died.

As a poker player I was never in any way involved with that circle of Aspinall's gamblers. They played for much higher stakes than I could have contemplated in the 1970s.

[David Robertson]

Tell me, Stewart: did Nelson Mandela ever ask you for advice?

[Stewart Reuben]

Certainly not. He was much too sensible a man.

[JustinHorton]

Saw a pretentious fragrance ad on the telly last night and there was a brief glimpse of chess. Might have been for something called CH.

[Peter D Williams]

LUCAN part 1 this evening on ITV.
It is mentioned that Michael Stoop lent Lord Lucan a car sometimes earlier than the night of the incident.
Michael played several times in Gibraltar and volunteered some information on his being part of the 'circle'. Thus he may have been the last person to see Lord Lucan alive.
I certainly did not try to press Michael into revealing anything. Of course, he has since died.

As a poker player I was never in any way involved with that circle of Aspinall's gamblers. They played for much higher stakes than I could have contemplated in the 1970s.

Micheal Stoop was at the inquest of Sandra Rivett which started on June 5 1975
Michael Stoop was asked in detail about the Ford Corsair he loaned Lord Lucan and the letter he received from him after the attacks. Michael Stoop told the court that when he loaned his car to Lord Lucan several weeks before the attack there was no lead piping in the trunk. He also said that the paper on which the note was written was likely to have come from the notepaper he kept in his car. The envelope that held the letter was lost and never recovered.

Michael Stoop had received a letter from Lord Lucan following the discovery of the car. The paper on which the letter was written matched that of the notepad.

here the letter in full for members to read

My dear Michael,

I have had a traumatic night of unbelievable coincidences. However I wont bore you with anything or involve you except to say that when you come across my children, which I hope you will, please tell them that you knew me and that all I cared about was them.

The fact that a crooked solicitor and a rotten psychiatrist destroyed me between them will be of no importance to the children.

I gave Bill Shand Kydd an account of what actually happened but judging by my last effort in court no one, let alone a 67-year-old judge, would believe- and I no longer care, except that my children should be protected.





The Christmas tree is up and i also put up a father Christmas onto the window to make it look like he climbing into the house to bring us lots of presents

[Kevin Thurlow]

Newspaper quote of a comment from Damon Hill (12/5/1995) - the article is generally writing off Schumacher's chances of winning the F1 world championship that season, due to stress of being world champion. I think he got over that.

Anyway, our Damon says,

"I see the championship not as a mountain to climb, but more a game of chess. You know when you have got the strength or when you need to play your ace card. We haven't even knocked a few of the pawns off yet."