Robin
The motion for the SGM is
amuir Wrote:2. That eligibility requirements for Scottish representation be amended to bring it in line with most sports in the UK, such that “Were either or both of the player’s parents born in Scotland?” is changed to “Were any of the player’s parents or grandparents born in Scotland?”
so any migrants, from wherever, for whatever would not be affected by the carrying or denial of the grandparent motion, unless (of course) they have a Scottish Grandparent.
Selectors should have no flexibility whatsoever in deciding the criteria for eligibility for selection, only whether an eligible player is good enough.
The rules for selection for Scottish International selection chess teams already have a good degree of flexibility in them, which would allow the selection at adult level of a junior who has previously represented Scotland at International level.
"ELIGIBILITY FOR NATIONAL REPRESENTATION
Chess Scotland will apply the follow considerations in identifying individuals who could qualify as being eligible for representing Scotland in international chess events. In formulating these four considerations, due account has been taken of the relevant FIDE rules and the particular circumstances of defining Scottish nationality. Of course, anyone who qualifies under these considerations would then be subject to the selection processes whereby national teams are selected from the pool of eligible players.
It is not the purpose of this document to set out the various selection processes that are adopted from time to time for
juniors and adult players.
There are four eligibility considerations as follows: -
• Was the player born in Scotland?
• Were either or both of the player’s parents born in Scotland?
• If the player is 18 or more years old, has he/she been permanently resident in Scotland for at least two years (if a junior, that is under 18, the equivalent time is one year)?
• Has the player been previously accepted as qualifying for Scottish representation?
A positive response to any one (or more) of the above four questions would mean that the player (a) would be eligible and their name could be considered in the context of selection processes and (b) could include their name as being a Scottish player on any international list such as FIDE."
I would suggest that in granting SCO status on the FIDE list to Matthew Turner, CS has helped him out and provided a resolution to the problem he had with the English Federation, whom he had previously represented and that Douglas Bryson's suggestion is a sensible compromise.
"Perhaps the halfway house of grandparent gets you on the FIDE list as SCO but you must choose to reside here before you can play is the way to go."
I would much rather be represented at International level by five players who fulfill the present qualifying criteria, no matter what their playing strength, than five non-national and non-resident Super GM's, armed with their family trees, who could possibly win the Olympiad.
I agree with David Deary's earlier point of incentives for those coming through our junior ranks and that applies to those striving to improve to International standard at the moment. Alan Tate, Calum McQueen and Clement Sreeves, to name but 3 of our homegrown talent, all have the potential to represent Scotland at International level in the future. I think it would be a slap in the face to the efforts they put in and the personal expense they have shelled out, if we suddenly opened the criteria to allow a GM from elsewhere to take up a limited and prized Scottish International Team place.
I too will vote against the motion in its present form but would support an amendment along the lines of that suggested by Douglas Bryson.