What am I doing?

[cjdemooi]

Now that the general election is over, I'm writing to a few prominent politicians including Boris Johnson to gain public support for the ECF. However, this is assuming anyone wants to hear from me as I visited 2 MPs at Parliament (Charles Clarke and Evan Harris) and they both lost their seats...

[Matt Mackenzie]

I'm not a LibDem, but the Harris result is genuinely s**te

[cjdemooi]

Just to reiterate... If any congresses or tournaments would like to invite me along, whether to spectate, say a few words, present prizes etc, I do not charge! Organisers seem genuinely shocked that I don't hand over expenses claims but (except for petrol which is claimed back from the ECF) all my chess work is paid for out of my own pocket.
If this concern has stopped other people issuing invitations, please don't let it. It's my job to make myself publicly available and I will positively refuse any remuneration but happily travel anywhere to support our game.

[cjdemooi]

I'm popping over to Amsterdam tomorrow to spectate at the matches taking place at the Max Euwe Centre, especially the enticing Short-Giri encounter. I'm also hoping to meet the organisers and representatives of the MEC and the Dutch Chess Federation (although I shan't be claiming any expenses for this trip)
I used to live in the city and regularly visited the chess centre (I even played at Wijk aan Zee once winning my little section of 4 players) so it'll be nice to go back and enjoy some great games too.

[cjdemooi]

I've just got back from Amsterdam (8 hours late due to flight cancellation, but 4 trains later, here I am!) where I had a few very productive conversations with Nigel Short and met members of the Dutch Chess Federation and the Max Euwe Centre.

I'll be posting back in a couple of days with a very exciting proposition but I just want to chat to the delegates and Presidents of the home federations first... watch this space!

[cjdemooi]

Time to reveal all!

Over the last few days I've been running myself ragged (including the impromptu trip to Amsterdam when the volcano kindly insisted I take an 11 hour train journey home) but I can now explain what I've been doing.

I'm organising a gala dinner at Simpsons in the Strand at the end of August. A list of distinguished guests will be invited along with (not to say they're not also distinguished of course!) representatives of the home chess federations.

The guest of honour will be Garry Kasparov in his capacity as a member of Anatoly Karpov's campaign team for the FIDE elections.

So far, England, Scotland and Guernsey have publicly endorsed Karpov and I've contacted Jersey, Wales and Ireland to ask (not persuade) if they will be making a decision. Garry would like to thank the federations personally and raise awareness of the ongoing state of affairs.
There'll be side events including the chance to bid on consultation games with Garry and Nigel Short as well a chance to promote chess in England at the UK in general and perhaps strengthen our case for the 2012 World Championship.

I hope (depending on number of guests and capacity of the venue) that we will be able to offer tickets for sale for anyone who would like to attend this amazing event, so if you're interested, it might be a good idea to let me know as it'll be first come, first served.

I emphasise it was Garry's own idea to come over and speak to the delegates and Presidents in person and matters have just developed from there. It will take an awful lot of work to get this sorted but such an occasion is worth the effort and I hope it will prove to be a great success in terms of helping the Karpov campaign, promoting the game of chess throughout the world and helping to forge closer ties between the 6 home federations.

CJ

[Paul Buswell]

I hope (depending on number of guests and capacity of the venue) that we will be able to offer tickets for sale for anyone who would like to attend this amazing event, so if you're interested, it might be a good idea to let me know as it'll be first come, first served.

Certainly interested in having a ticket to raffle amongst members of the Hastings & St. Leonards club!

PB

[Eoin Devane]

This sounds like a great idea for promoting English Chess. Hopefully Kasparov's presence will generate some media coverage.

[John Anderson]

So CJ, who`s picking up the bill for this Jolly? The ECF? ... Hopefully subsidised by a few of the faithful?

The food at Simpsons is excellent, the service impeccable but it`s not a cheap night out! The cheapest bottle of Claret last time I was there was nearly £40 and the non-vintage Krug was only a fiver short of the entry-fee to the British; so you are going to have to sell a lot of very expensive tickets if you are hoping to make a profit to swell the coffers of Karpov`s campaign.

[Ian Thompson]

So CJ, who`s picking up the bill for this Jolly? The ECF? ... Hopefully subsidised by a few of the faithful?

The food at Simpsons is excellent, the service impeccable but it`s not a cheap night out! The cheapest bottle of Claret last time I was there was nearly £40 and the non-vintage Krug was only a fiver short of the entry-fee to the British; so you are going to have to sell a lot of very expensive tickets if you are hoping to make a profit to swell the coffers of Karpov`s campaign.

Presumably, something similar to this event http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/ ... -politics/ in New York is hoped for. The article says it raised $125,000 for Karpov's campaign.

[cjdemooi]

When the ECF elections come round later this year I've decided I will stand again as President. I had considered standing down after a year because, to paraphrase Enoch Powell, 'All political careers end in failure' and I thought about simply looking back on a hard but successful tenure, especially if the Kasparov dinner is as good as I'm hoping.
Nevertheless, I've said I want to help English chess and I can do that most effectively from the inside, so I'll stay if invited. I also said I won't nominate myself (I've always found it a little distasteful for elected officials in any sphere to put themselves forward) although that's only my personal choice and I of course won't apply it to anybody else.
However, if I am fortunate to remain in my post, I will be claiming eligible expenses. I estimate that my 7 months already has cost me over £2500 and unless Hollywood comes calling (fingers crossed), it may be a while before I can absorb such costs much longer.
Incidentally, there are 2 potential candidates (one is very prominent in the chess world) who have expressed interest in standing for the ECF board. This can obviously be discussed nearer the time but we have a very strong team in place at the moment and I'm working to make it even stronger.
All comments, thoughts and criticisms welcome.
CJ

[cjdemooi]

I'll be attending the first 2 days of the e2-e4 tournament this weekend if anyone wants to talk / comment / hurl abuse (delete as applicable)

[Alan Ruffle]

Dear All

CJdemooi should be required to stand down as President of the ECF after one year of service, invited to stand again in three years time, he has had a brilliant year he should leave with the applause of English chess players ringing in his ears and allow a new man with fully charged batteries and fresh ideas to take over, otherwise we are and he is making the same mistake as Gerry Walsh.

Alan Ruffle

[IM Jack Rudd]

CJdemooi should be required to stand down as President of the ECF after one year of service, invited to stand again in three years time, he has had a brilliant year he should leave with the applause of English chess players ringing in his ears and allow a new man with fully charged batteries and fresh ideas to take over, otherwise we are and he is making the same mistake as Gerry Walsh.

You keep making this suggestion. I do not think it would have the effect you think it would have.

[Carl Hibbard]

Dear All

CJdemooi should be required to stand down as President of the ECF after one year of service, invited to stand again in three years time, he has had a brilliant year he should leave with the applause of English chess players ringing in his ears and allow a new man with fully charged batteries and fresh ideas to take over, otherwise we are and he is making the same mistake as Gerry Walsh.

Alan Ruffle

Could not disagree more Alan, yes perhaps there should be a limit but to suggest a single year as being sufficient for such a post is silly