Congratulations to Keti-Arakhamia-Grant GM, 1st in the World Seniors in Gallipoli, Italy.
W50+ 
8.5/11
https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1277872....0&SNode=S0

Keti won by a point from Sweden's Pia Cramling GM and Cuba's Arribas Robaina Maritza WGM

In the mens 50+ Paul Motwani 7.5/11 and Jonathan Grant 5.5.

I hope I didn't miss anyone!

I am a little concerned that the AGM notice and requested for nominations and motions has now dropped from the top page on the News page of the website.

Considering that AGM is one of the primary importance to Ches Scotland surely this announcement should be "pinned" as matte of prime importance.

The final date for nominations and motions (not later than 23:59 on Saturday 8th November 2025)

I've attached a copy of the SNCL rules for people's convenience - no changes from last year.

As per last year, please note that:

Board Order in Division 1 is as per FIDE rating with a 50 point allowance
Board Order in Divisions 2 & 3 is as per Chess Scotland grading with a 100 point allowance

Attached Files

  SNCL Rules 2024-25.pdf (Size: 98.01 KB / Downloads: 40)

Hi Folks,

I have just visited our new venue, Fife College Dunfermline Learning Campus Calaiswood Crescent KY11 8SJ.  

It is superb I'm sure you are all going to love it.

I have given you driving details in an earlier post but to confirm -- when you reach Duloch Leisure Park from the large Halbeath roundabout, go straight on over two roundabouts on to a dual carriageway. At the next roundabout turn right into Dunfermline Learning Campus and then take the next right into the car parking area for Fife College (This is the first building and the one you want to enter)  Also do not park in the muster area in front of the college as this is drop off only and Fire alarm muster area.

It is a privately run car park DO NOT park in the disabled area unless you have a blue badge. Disabled parking is strictly enforced, even at the weekends. I did see a couple of bays for electrical charging but, as i don't have an electric car, I do not know if they are functioning.

Once you enter the Fife College building the first thing you should see is the Ambition Statue that used to stand in the foyer of our old venue. Follow the hallway left and then right, continue straight ahead and you will enter the Conference Centre. Upon entering you will see groups of soft chairs with a silhouette mural on the glass windows on your left, this is your relaxing area  - please keep it clean and tidy. On the right hand side, behind you, is this month's cafe area. There are tables in there and the venue respectfully asks that we have all our refreshments in there ( including what you bring with you) so that there is less chance of accidents and mess in other areas. This seems reasonable to me so please follow this request.
On the right hand side there is a room that will be set up for analysis. Again please refrain from eating and drinking in here. Can you please reset the boards when you have finished so that it is ready for the next set of players (also means we have less chance of losing pieces if they are picked up and replaced at the time)

Continue straight ahead to the T junction.  To the left, at the end of the corridor, you will find a door, on the left, stating WC Lobby. Through that door are individual, unisex cubicles including a disabled toilet. Please ensure you lock your door after entering so that unexpected visitors don't disturb you! 
Again respect the area and keep it clean. If there are any problems in this area, eg not flushing, needs toilet roll etc please inform me immediately.

Back at the T junction if you go right you should find the entrance to the playing room on your left. The playing area is huge and has good lighting. As the day progresses myself and my team would appreciate your feedback -- good and bad. I believe there is ample room between the rows for people to mingle but I'm sure you will let me know.

Anne and Heather will be our cafe staff. John will be our morning property manager with Jack taking over in the afternoon. Cafe service will be as before - morning rolls 9.30 - 11.30, lunch 12 - 3 and continual coffee.tea until end of day. Times are my guess only, don't take my word for it!

I will be taking entry fees from teams before the first round. No pay, no play!  Thank you to those of you who have already paid by bank transfer, it definitely is the best method to use. Cash and cheques payable to myself are welcome on the day.

Any other questions please do not hesitate to ask me on this forum. I'm sure you are going to have a wonderful time, except maybe for your chess results. See you on Sunday

Glynis Grant

Hi Folks

The pairings for Division 1 and 2 can be found on Chess Results Scotland.

Hopefully someone can put  a link to the pairings on this thread please as I do not know how to do it!!

Division 3 the team names are listed but I can't see any pairings but I assume it is Swiss tournament. Hopefully the pairings for Round 1 will appear shortly.

GG

We have 36 confirmed teams for this season.

Any teams that still wish to apply will go on a waiting list and will only be added to the bottom division in groups of two to avoid causing a bye situation.

I wish all teams an enjoyable season and please make sure you honour your commitment and turn up with full teams. It is really frustrating for players, who may have traveled quite some distance, to discover they have won by default because someone hasn't turned up. 

We are definitely at the new venue, address and postcode are in previous posts 

Please remember to bring your entry fee if you haven't paid by  bank transfer.
Cash and cheques payable to myself are acceptable. Do not make cheques to sncl as the account will not accept them.

GG

It is with great sadness that Hamilton Chess Club shares the unexpected passing of FM Peter Jamieson. 

Peter was a loyal member of the club for many years. He was 2 times Scottish Chess Champion. He played for Scotland at the Olympiad. He is remembered for a draw with GM Mikhail Tal with a famous photo encapsulating the event. 

Hamilton Chess Club is grateful for Peter's presence and our thoughts are with his family at this time.

I will give details of the funeral arrangement when I have them. 

Thor Saemundsson on behalf of Hamilton Chess Club

Phones I still have not heard from you about your entry to SNCL this year?

Are you joining us?

Closing date this Friday for any team that wishes to play

Individual players from various clubs feel free to get together and make a composite team

Please contact me ggrant1@outlook.com

GG

Okay I have Phones entry now, thankyou

It has been confirmed that we will be in the new premises of Dunfermline Learning Campus on 2nd November 2025

The address for the venue is Dunfermline Learning Campus, Calaiswood Crescent, Dunfermline KY11 8SJ

To get there come off the motorway from South, as per usual, and take the first exit marked Duloch Leisure Park. If coming from North, take your usual slip road and then take the third exit for Duloch Leisure Park. If coming through Dunfermline, go past the old venue and continue on the dual carriageway until you get to the large roundabout that has traffic lights. Take the fourth exit for Duloch Leisure Park.

From there all of you go along the dual carriageway,Leisure Park is on your left, straight over at the roundabout and then second exit at the next roundabout. At the third roundabout, turn right and you should be able to see the entrance to the complex. It is huge! There are two High Schools but the first section you come to is the college. I don't know exactly where we have to go as I am waiting for a visit but I will update you on this forum thread as soon as I have more details.

There is ample parking. I would suggest you take a taxi from Queen Margaret or Dunfermline Central stations if you are using the train.

GG

Recently I played a weekender in lancaster and was charged £2 extra for being non-ENG.
This is effectively the same as the Scottish practice of discounting £2 for CS members.
That all seems fair and reasonable to me. However:

I have been looking for other events in England and it seems that the normal practice is to surcharge £15 (as apparently demanded by the ECF).
I find this quite annoying and hard to justify. Should we start charging English players £15 a congress?

Or perhaps I have misunderstood?