Hi there,

I was involved in an interesting discussion last night regarding the Forum and different views on what constitutes an active Forum. 

I am of the view that the Forum serves a practical function of those seeking to communicate with the Chess Scotland community being able to do so fairly easily and quickly. It is separate from any other web application so doesn't exclude anybody who isn't on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram etc. 

I was interested in different views on the Forum - some of which suggested that the Forum is 'dead' - presumably by us no longer living in the days of openly castigating each other in debates that often got personal in a place easily accessible for all to see. 

I'm happy with the Forum as it is but I thought I'd post this to see what other views on the Forum are out there in the wider Chess Scotland membership. What are your thoughts?

As reported on the front page, I have resigned as Admin Director with immediate effect. i have detailed my reasons to the management board. Personally I find it a pity and upsetting since my first involvement at board level at 2015. I've also ran three or four Scottish Championships (one postponed), a couple of Richardson and similar events . As I've already stated, I gave my reasons to to the Management Board last night (Thursday) and for the record I tendered my resignation to the rest of the exec committee on Wednesday. If anyone else wishes to speak or email me I can be contacted on 07899 832770 or email ian@ianbrownlee.co.uk or ian.brownlee@systemsit.co.uk

I will be at Thor's event in January and will continue to play as a Stepps/Prestwick player in League events and at the SNCL

Top Scottish juniors have entered - Freddy 2344, Supratit 1939 etc, 10 GMs
Alex is arbiter 
I can't play - I have used my 25 days holiday from work up for 2023.

One day event in Livingston back after the month of Weekenders.

11:00 am kick off this Sunday and we are full. We cannot take any more entries as we only get so many tables and chairs from the venue, that's why there is an absolute limit.

Our only concern now is for everybody to turn up and not have any silent withdrawals we find out about at 11:20 on Sunday morning.

Chess Results site is here.

Vega results site here.

from David Reid
"It is with sadness that we announce the passing of long time Glasgow Montrose CC member Roy Smeeton. He was a much admired and loved member, a good player and wit, who loved a good story. He will be sorely missed."

I have been advised that John passed away on Friday after a long illness.

I am told also that the funeral details are as follows:

Monday 27th November
10.30 Corpus Christi Memorial Church
11.30 Clydebank Crematorium

John was a long time committee member of the Glasgow Chess League being Secretary up until just a couple of years ago. He was also the long time Secretary of the DDCA and was Secretary of Dalmuir Chess Club for many years.

He will be sadly missed by all those in and around the Glasgow area who had known him.

I've been off this forum for a few years  but I can see it's time I came back. 

Scotland Played 9 lost 9.

The two youngest players were born the year England won the world cup in 1966.
Two others turned 65 this year and the fifth was born when Alekhine was still alive!

We have an an abundance of young talent how did this happen?
(I cannot even add the tried and trusted remark after such a calamity -
'...at least they will learn from their mistakes.' 
That lot stopped learning from their mistakes in the last century. )

I know poverty will be pleaded as an excuse but we can work around that.

Forget going cap in hand asking some business to sponsor a whole team instead we 
get each league: Dunbartonshire, Lanarkshire,, Edinburgh, Glasgow and North East Scotland
to sponsor one player each. Surely each league can raise amongst themselves enough to 
send one of their own league's strongest (and preferably young!) players.

Played 9 Lost 9. We even lost to that chess powerhouse the Faroe Islands (3½ -½)
whose team probably consisted of two fishermen, a folk singer and a monk.

(why has 'Wilhelm Steinitz' appeared under my name?)

Just a reminder that Oban Chess Congress is on in a couple of weeks. Its in the usual place at the Royal Hotel.

You can enter online here: http://congress.popmalc.org.uk/congress/348/home
Entrants list here: http://congress.popmalc.org.uk/congress/348/entrants

Entering and pay on the day is available by emailing Duncan Campbell directly here

The Royal Hotel is offering a room rate for chess players at £46.00 per person per night, but players will need to contact the hotel on 01631 563021 to secure these rates.

Some good early Scots results. Plus ex Scot Helen Milligan now NZ scoring an almighty battling draw today against the legendary Nona Gaprindashvili. See games live at the event website via link at fide.com

I would much have preferred the 2023 AGM to be in-person rather than remote. There is not the same level of scrutiny and democracy. As an example, the last AGM was remote and both Alan Tate and I stood for the International Director position. However neither of us spoke as to why people should vote for us even though I would have liked to have given a speech..