My Resignation

[Andrew Zigmond]

I agree that Steve Giddins' narrative seems very plausible. I only take issue with one aspect of what he has said. He states that C.J. never claimed to have sponsored the British, but on here he said

"The British Championships this year received 2 donations - one of £250 from a private benefactor and one of £16585 from me. In all honesty, I won't be contributing any more personal funds to chess as I can't afford it but I'm sure everyone will understand that where I choose to spend my own money should remain confidential."

It may be that Darwin Strategic took on C.J.'s 'liability', but if this is the case it is disappointing that C.J. has not acknowledged this.

I couldn't help noticing another interesting thing about Steve Giddins' latest piece. He praises Raymond Keene's contribution and criticises the wider chess community for not being grateful (a fair point in that context). However elsewhere he has been extremely vocal in defending Alex and Lara against their treatment at the hands of the ECF, writing in even stronger terms than I have (which is saying something). Ultimately it is Raymond Keene's `brutish and bigoted and should be investigated by the police` comment that has led to matters reaching the stage they have. I'm not sure how he would reconcile this apparent contradiction.

[Roger de Coverly]

I'm not sure how he would reconcile this apparent contradiction.

You may have noticed that our favourite blog writer has a very black and white view of the world. It's possible to make a reasonably long list including Carl of this forum, other blog writers and several past and present ECF directors for whom he doesn't have a good word, but many bad ones.

I don't think the Times Correspondent is on his list of people to be ridiculed at the slightest opportunity. They did after all have breakfast together during the Staunton events.

[Jonathan Bryant]

I don't think the Times Correspondent is on his list of people to be ridiculed at the slightest opportunity.

Not now, perhaps, but in the past ....

He praises Raymond Keene's contribution and criticises the wider chess community for not being grateful ....

I read that passage a little differently. After all, how can the chess public be grateful for something that's been deliberately hidden from them? I don't claim to have an inside track into what's going on in Gidders' head, but I felt he was saying that in normal circumstances a contribution such as he says Keene made would be acknowledged publicly. He's right about that, of course.


Which brings us to,

Those who recall the first few days of the Championship were aware that the usual reporting of the Opening proceedings seemed to have been suspended.

Indeed. Writing at the time I see that, contrary to our man's assertions about my blog's coverage of the Sheffield business, why Raymondo was there was one of the few questions I didn't ask. I was much more interested in the process of the decision and when the ECF responded (also see various comments published on the blog around that time) it was clear that nobody knew that Ray was coming. Nobody other than CJ that is.

I think, therefore, that it is unlikely that anybody at the ECF knew about RDK's involvement with the funding arrangements. If it proves to be otherwise then that also - the deliberate hiding of the knowledge from other elements within the ECF - would be a huge story in itself. I don't think at this stage, though, that there's any reason to believe it happened like that.

[JustinHorton]

It's never really been established why CJ started an ECF association with RDK

Giving a helping hand to someone down on their luck has always been one of Ray's characteristics, no? Or part of his modus operandi, if you prefer a less generous interpretation.

[Alex McFarlane]

With regard to Keene.

Firstly I confirm that I knew nothing of his involvement prior to the event. The first I knew of his attendance was when the information appeared on this forum.
His conducting of business from the office was, I believe, seen as a courtesy to a guest of the President. That was certainly my take on the situation.

I have been told by two reliable and very divergent sources that Keene has not withdrawn his statements because he firmly believes them to be true.
The obvious question arising from this is "Why has the President not convinced him of his error in this respect?" Unfortunately I cannot answer that question. I'm sure there must be lots of reasons. I can only think of one.

[Roger de Coverly]

I think, therefore, that it is unlikely that anybody at the ECF knew about RDK's involvement with the funding arrangements. If it proves to be otherwise then that also - the deliberate hiding of the knowledge from other elements within the ECF - would be a huge story in itself. I don't think at this stage, though, that there's any reason to believe it happened like that.

If the Giddins time-line and hypothesis is correct, RDK's involvement would have been known to CJ. In fairness his role as President is mostly non-exec, so sharing information with his fellow board members isn't a given. That may be a contributory factor, since Board members with long memories might have expressed the need for caution in involving RDK in his first official ECF activity for nearly 25 years. Giving him (RDK) a microphone at the opening might have helped as well. At least one reporter claimed the reason for non-reporting of RDK's opening remarks was that he couldn't hear what was said from the back of the room.

[Neville Belinfante]

I can confirm that I gave my resignation as officer responsible for the list of British Championship Qualifiers List to Lara Barnes and Adam Raoof two weeks ago. I have not got the foggiest idea whether it was accepted or not as it has not even been acknowledged. The reason for the resignation was not related to T-ShirtGate nor subsequent developments.

I do too much voluntary stuff for chess, and something had to give.

[Jonathan Bryant]

I think, therefore, that it is unlikely that anybody at the ECF knew about RDK's involvement with the funding arrangements. If it proves to be otherwise then that also - the deliberate hiding of the knowledge from other elements within the ECF - would be a huge story in itself. I don't think at this stage, though, that there's any reason to believe it happened like that.

If the Giddins time-line and hypothesis is correct, RDK's involvement would have been known to CJ. In fairness his role as President is mostly non-exec, so sharing information with his fellow board members isn't a given.

Yes. When I wrote "it is unlikely that anybody at the ECF ...." I meant nobody other than CJ.

I would have expected CJ - or anybody else - to have been clear about the sources of funding and who facilitated the acquisition of funds. Mind you, I would also have expected the ECF to be clear that they wanted and needed to be told.

CJ deliberately withholding this information from the ECF is a story (or would be if it is true). If some other folk at the ECF knew and withheld it from everybody else that would be an even bigger story. As I say, I don't see any reason to expect the latter to be true. The former seems rather plausible, not least because of his non-communication with regard to RDK's appearance at the opening ceremony.

[Matthew Turner]

Neville,
Just for the sake of clarity, I am not not entirely clear what you have resigned from. Will you still be taking entries/arbitting at the British?

[Peter D Williams]

I can confirm that I gave my resignation as officer responsible for the list of British Championship Qualifiers List to Lara Barnes and Adam Raoof two weeks ago. I have not got the foggiest idea whether it was accepted or not as it has not even been acknowledged. The reason for the resignation was not related to T-ShirtGate nor subsequent developments.

I do too much voluntary stuff for chess, and something had to give.

I do hope Neville that you are going to continue your other voluntary work with chess? I have always found you to be very helpful and fair in any decision you have had to make as a chess arbiter.

[Krishna Shiatis]

I can confirm that I gave my resignation as officer responsible for the list of British Championship Qualifiers List to Lara Barnes and Adam Raoof two weeks ago. I have not got the foggiest idea whether it was accepted or not as it has not even been acknowledged. The reason for the resignation was not related to T-ShirtGate nor subsequent developments.

I do too much voluntary stuff for chess, and something had to give.

I do hope Neville that you are going to continue your other voluntary work with chess? I have always found you to be very helpful and fair in any decision you have had to make as a chess arbiter.

I do completely agree with this. Do not resign from too much Neville!

Neville, you are one of the lovliest people in the 'chess world' and I hope that you will continue with your arbitting and your involvement in junior chess. Stay well and take care,

Kind regards, Krishna

[Jonathan Rogers]

Agree with all of the above re Neville. Er, please stay involved in 4NCL too! (It sounds as though you will be, but better to make sure...).

[John McKenna]

And I hope that someone in the ECF officially acknowledges your resignation from one of many tasks you have probably done for them.

[Neville Belinfante]

Neville,
Just for the sake of clarity, I am not not entirely clear what you have resigned from. Will you still be taking entries/arbitting at the British?

The only post I have resigned from is maintaining the list of players qualified for the British Championship. It was with regret, as I have done it since John Robinson's untimely death a few year's ago. I have not taken the entries since 2009, and have told Lara I am available for controlling at the British.

wrt the other comments - thanks to everyone for their best wishes. It would be appreciated by all arbiters if such thanks were made by players and parents at the end of each event, and not on a forum after a resignation statement.

I am still fully involved with the 4ncl, and junior competitions, and Bucks local events. Those who are at the South of England will see me tomorrow, although I am having to sacrifice a few drinks at an office party tonight to make it on time.

[Neville Belinfante]

... forgot to say in my last post. I got an acknowledgement and thankyou from Adam this morning.