14-09-2016, 02:53 AM
Firstly, there are no personal attacks here. I have played the last two Olympiads (performed badly) and watched this one. I witnessed a general apathy and disregard for any kind of match strategy. To see players under perform like this consistently and nothing being done about it is infuriating (Andy B's comment is noted). The lack of belief hurt in 2012, 2014, and 2016. Should I just sit back and let apathy set in like everyone else seems to have done?
Sorry, but did you know it's possible to ask a question without having a concrete opinion? Have you ever considered the possibility that positive discrimination holds women back? I believe in equality. And it's not men and women, it's OPEN and women.
Hi Iain, I didn't single you out - John was also included. Seeing as you pressed me, you played 24 games 2 seasons ago and 14 last season. I'm sure you're a nice guy but I've only seen you once at a Scottish tournament, at the Scottish in Edinburgh in 2009. That may well have been John's last Scottish as well but I can't be bothered to check. Neil won it last year, and has been making an effort to play a lot - probably more than yours and John's games combined. Commitment should be rewarded and I would have put him on a higher board for that. Board 1, and to some extent board 2, should be a leader. Andrew deserves praise for this and frankly showed more heart and fighting spirit than any of the native born Scots. You can't have part-timers on high boards. It sets a bad example to the rest and honestly I found it insulting and discouraging in both Olympiads that I played.
I'm glad I was not selected for this Olympiad and deserved to be dropped (although selections really need to be made closer to the tournament in order to get a better idea of form. How to hit a tournament on good form? is another question that needs answered). Dropping players in any competitive sport is an effective motivator, as is 'demoting' players to a lower board (when I cross 2400 I have no intention of going into rating protection mode).
All I ask for is serious pre-tournament preparation, 100% commitment to the team, and a belief that we can win.
George Murphy Wrote:Sorry, but that’s a sad and elitist attitude that is inappropriate. The Ladies deserve every bit as much financial support as the Men. We are all members together are we not?
Sorry, but did you know it's possible to ask a question without having a concrete opinion? Have you ever considered the possibility that positive discrimination holds women back? I believe in equality. And it's not men and women, it's OPEN and women.
iaing Wrote:Alan,
While you make some good points I think this is a bit silly. Neil is a very good player and a friend but John (our board 2) is a GM and even playing below par managed to perform at 2400 level. He is a stronger player than Neil, you or I.
I'm also unsure why you singled me out with theQuote:sat on their ratingscomment given that in 2016 I played 4NCL and Capelle la Grande and made an appearance in the English County Champs. TheQuote:encouraging signs the year beforedefinitely applies to Neil but unless my memory fails me I scored an IM norm in the 4NCL in 2015, missed a norm by a whisker in Jersey and had played at about 2450 level last year so honestly I think you'd be better served sticking to making constructive comments rather than making ill-informed swipes at players trying to do their best for their country.
I'd be the first to admit I played below par in the Olympiad but these things happen. If you are unhappy that you weren't selected there is an easy solution: you've shown plenty of times that when in form you are able to play at a very high level so get your rating over 2400 and then, ahem, sit on your rating...
Hi Iain, I didn't single you out - John was also included. Seeing as you pressed me, you played 24 games 2 seasons ago and 14 last season. I'm sure you're a nice guy but I've only seen you once at a Scottish tournament, at the Scottish in Edinburgh in 2009. That may well have been John's last Scottish as well but I can't be bothered to check. Neil won it last year, and has been making an effort to play a lot - probably more than yours and John's games combined. Commitment should be rewarded and I would have put him on a higher board for that. Board 1, and to some extent board 2, should be a leader. Andrew deserves praise for this and frankly showed more heart and fighting spirit than any of the native born Scots. You can't have part-timers on high boards. It sets a bad example to the rest and honestly I found it insulting and discouraging in both Olympiads that I played.
I'm glad I was not selected for this Olympiad and deserved to be dropped (although selections really need to be made closer to the tournament in order to get a better idea of form. How to hit a tournament on good form? is another question that needs answered). Dropping players in any competitive sport is an effective motivator, as is 'demoting' players to a lower board (when I cross 2400 I have no intention of going into rating protection mode).
All I ask for is serious pre-tournament preparation, 100% commitment to the team, and a belief that we can win.