Fixing the Black holes......

[David Pardoe]

I think the penny is starting to drop......re ECF and its organisation.... Garry, et al.....
They have no FD currently....why...?
I`m tempted to say, the answer is easy..........but I`m sure that would be too simplistic...

It seems no coincidence that, at the same time that simmering debates rage in the background about PIFs, and about conevants, and various other lagacy monies sloshing around, ...that the ECF is teetering on the financial brink......
Is it simply the case that these power groups see these funds as a lever for (self interest), power and control over the ECF/BCF. That they can see how financially weak this body is, so, in an attempt to wrestle control and power from the ECF, people like Garry are just cynically using these funds as a lever to broker power and control from the ECF directorate. And therefore, anyone with any financial nouse will see straight through this charade and automatically regard the FD job within the ECF as a no-brainer.
This Mexican stand-off, whereby some parties are clearly hoping that the ECF will fall apart, so they can grab the reigns, is clearly most undesirable....the boil must be lanced.

If so, it seems to me that one of the most urgent tasks is to convene a meeting of all these power groups and sort out (perhaps quietly....), just exactly what they want, and how things can be taken forward with regard to to the ECF.....and hopefully a brighter future for British Chess. Those of you who have read my recent posts will note the warning I gave about groups that are `hoarding money` ....and the negative effect that having `dead money` locked away in bank accounts doing nothing, would have. It is choking our countries chess development.
We cannot have these frozen assets just sitting around gathering dust while Rome burns......
Essentially, all these funding bodies, and the people acting as Trustees, etc....need to come clean...set out a credible game plan for British Chess (and notice I say `British Chess`...because I see our chess in this country as an inclusive exercise).....where we pool together our resources and talents, in the wider interests of UK chess.
One of the key needs is to mobalise British Chess at all levels....release the pent up energies and put some `umph` back into proceedings.

[John Saunders]

This Mexican stand-off, whereby some parties are clearly hoping that the ECF will fall apart, so they can grab the reigns, is clearly most undesirable....the boil must be lanced.

We cannot have these frozen assets just sitting around gathering dust while Rome burns......

I don't think I've seen quite so many mixed metaphors in such a brief passage before - it reminds me of a school teacher who memorably said to my class: "you need to pull your socks up, right, left and centre!". But the message is well taken. Clearly, the new ECF broom needs to get its head down, pull its finger out, keep its end up and really get stuck in.

Not sure about 'British' chess, though. Your kind offer of the last two tickets on the Titanic may not be appreciated north of Hadrian's Wall or across the Severn Bridge. I'm guessing that Chess Scotland or the Welsh Chess Union might echo another mangler of language, Sam Goldwyn, and reply "include me out".

[Brian Valentine]

I don't see thisasapower broker issue. The ECF has a long term strategic plan: http://www.englishchess.org.uk/images/s ... lOct09.doc.
As usual Council adds it right at the end of the AGM and, it appears, never buys into it. Hidden in it are all the nuggets of value added services that could justify extra fees (from whatever source). If they are not seen as value added then why do them?

Yes we need an FD and yes it is more urgent now, but the groundwork should have been done. We now need to decide what needs accelerating and what needs dropping. Andrew Martin gave one idea ( the CoM) yesterday. I think he needs to show that something can be done without blowing the rest of the PIF. I'm sure there are other things out there without going to the usual financial cul de sac of discussing a few pence on game fees (although that may have to be part of the solution).

[Roger de Coverly]

The ECF has a long term strategic plan: http://www.englishchess.org.uk/images/s ... lOct09.doc.

Throwing in the odd chess metaphor , the current state of the ECF's planning is as if it has a long term aim to win with a queen side pawn majority but it's about to blunder a piece on the king side. So a short term tactic plan would come in handy.

[Brian Valentine]

One used to be able to write down your move, check for blunders and then get on with the queenside. FIDE have enforced a metafor change. Deal with the king side, but but be aware that the Q side majority might be part of the solution.

[Alex Holowczak]

the current state of the ECF's planning is as if it has a long term aim to win with a queen side pawn majority but it's about to blunder a piece on the king side.

Have you been playing through my games or something?