What am I doing?

[Michele Clack]

I agree with you Stewart it does seem rather messy and with several different bodies there is always the danger of duplication. What I was getting at was the lottery funding angle. I presumed that the change to chess's status was awaited, amongst other things, since then the ECF could apply for lottery funding.

I was thinking that a way around the delay in that status change was to go under the education banner. If the ECF already has an educational charity then that could have been used to apply for grants I would have thought. From the wording of the name of this new charity I suspect they have thoughts in that direction.

I would like to see all youngsters have the chance to play chess in a structured way right through school so I will be pleased to see any initiative that helps to bring that about. Perhaps the best role of the ECF with respect to all these charities would be that of co-ordinator.

[cjdemooi]

I've had a reply from the office of David Cameron (who is understandably very busy) and have made contact with the (current) Shadow Culture, Media and Sport team. My own political persuasion is irrelevant as I strongly believe we have to engage, and be attractive to, the whole spectrum of parties.

Also, at the London Chess Classic, I'll be meeting the President of the Chinese Chess Association to discuss strengthening international relations between England and China.

[Ben Purton]

Great Stuff CJ, your doing more in your first few months than the previous administration did in 10 years.

I am on a complete emotional high atm after my Masters result and its probably a bit extreme but.

WELL DONE CJ AND BEN for Great starts to ECF 'careers'!!!!

Ben

[cjdemooi]

I'll be away in Welwyn for a month but will still visit the forum and pick up my email.

I'll also be at the London Chess Classic on the 10th and 15th. If you're able, I'd recommend attending this great event at least once. I'm sure it'll be a great success and the more support it gets, the greater benefit for English chess events in the future.

[cjdemooi]

I'll be on Radio 4's Today programme next Tuesday morning. As a counterpoint to the dumbing down of 'culture' (thank you X Factor) it'll be a discussion about the London Chess Classic and the benefits of chess in general.

[Michele Clack]

That sounds good. I'll have to get my radio tuned in to BBC radio 4

[benedgell]

Great stuff Will you have any idea beforehand as to what time it'll be on in the morning?

[cjdemooi]

It's provisionally booked for 8.30 but all things are subject to change...

[cjdemooi]

And change it has...

We are prerecording the interview and it will be on tomorrow's show.

[Alan Ruffle]

Interesting post, Alan! Where is my name?

I take your point about the relationship of the ECF to the EC forum, and I will think about a proposal to re-establish a link. If you have some ideas about where that link should go, and what form it should take, feel free to email me!

Best wishes

Adam

Alan Ruffle Post subject: PlanningPosted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:21 am



Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2007 10:52 am
Posts: 32 Dear All

There is much debate about fixture clashes, I suggest starting with a skeleton of events.

We already have a number of events and organisers of national standing who with ECF backing could be invited organise a framework of national competitions, which might raise the profile of our game.

Please view the below which is uncluttered with detail-

Olympic Chess Championships 2012– Birmingham Town Hall- Mark Hogarth

British Team championships –Liverpool-Involving at least one team from each country selected by its National body - 4NCL

English Individual Championships (Six players one of whom is the English amateur Champion, all play all) Simpson’s in the Strand – Raymond Keane

English Amateur Championships (Replacing the current British Championships) – Brighton – David Welch

England Junior Championships/Selection Tournaments- Michael Basman

County Championships- Regional events played at rapid play rates over one set weekend, Finals to be played over one set weekend at a Midland venue/Long play rates – Tony Corfe

Professional organisers and organisations should be allowed free reign to make a financial success of their involvement. Amateur organised events are expected to break even but in any case are to be underwritten by the ECF

Alan Ruffle

This is a copy of my posting from 12th June 2008, and only needs updating by my apologising to Peter Purland

More impotant than all of the above is the disgraceful situation whereby this forum is barred from direct access via the ECF this is a disgrace to democracy...............the board should be ashamed.

Alan Ruffle

Dear Adam

Reference the above, no disrespect was intended when I failed to mention you by name, closer examination of the article will show that this is a quote of an earlier submission of mine although time has overtaken the article. I am fully aware of your expertise in chess organization, as I am aware of the competence of the people I have named who could do these jobs either on a profit making basis as professionals or as amateurs receiving practical and financial support from the ECF, none of these men need supervision but I suggest you would make a splendid coordinator

I am delighted to see that there will be International chess activity taking place in London during the time of the Olympics, this is spot on, but I have suggested Birmingham because I believe London will be crowded enough at this time and is it possible that Birmingham might be very appreciative of the involvement.

CJ has asked for practical suggestions, I suggest the above is a start towards a proper framework of National competitions.

Further suggestions which I have already made in earlier articles-

Re-instatement of this forum onto the ECF site and use of the forum to conduct 'Chess Moves' other periodicals, Individual strings for all board officials, chess moves editorial etc all requiring a mandatory three monthly response, this would end the need for three monthly management meetings and hard copy magazines, generating finance to allow Carl to take a closer supervisory role. This might also encourage more people to use the forum and make it possible to seek more accurate grass routes directives by way of official voting methods.....................OMOV needs looking at.

Cheers

Alan Ruffle

[Adam Raoof]

Don't worry, Alan - I was just kidding!

Re-instatement of this forum onto the ECF site ...

At my suggestion this is on the agenda for the next Board meeting, to be held at the 4NCL weekend in January.

[Steve Rooney]

An excellent interview on R4 Today programme this morning with CJ de Mooi and Jonathan Rowson. They both got very positive messages across about the health of the game worldwide and the benefits of chess in schools. Well done both and to those who help set it up.

[Ian Kingston]

You can listen again on the BBC iPlayer at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0 ... 9_12_2009/. The interview starts just after 2 h 42 min.

[JohnPaines]

Good positive interview, CJ.

[cjdemooi]

As I've stated in both the 'What would you like the ECF to do' thread and my election address, junior chess is an issue I want to improve.

I've already taken steps towards this and I'll keep you all posted on progress.