Please find my ‘manifesto’ below, this is not an exhaustive list and is a bit rough but hopefully will give members an idea of what I am all about. If you have any ideas or suggestions feel free to reply to my post. I’m not 100% sure of where the remits of the Junior Directors stop so apologies to Calum and June if I am stealing any of their ideas or stepping on their toes.

Manifesto of David Deary for Home Junior Director

What are my aims/objectives:
Ultimately, I view the Home Junior Director post as being about getting more kids playing chess across Scotland. That’s my number one priority. There are several vehicles to do this: more junior clubs in schools; more junior clubs outwith school and better links between junior clubs and senior clubs with more senior clubs becoming junior friendly and perhaps offering a junior night.

Obviously, these are not things that I can do on my own and I will require help and support in order to make these aims a reality. I’ll want to get out in the regions across Scotland speaking to clubs, associations, leagues and junior bodies to see what support CS can offer to help implement the above in their areas. I also want to see how things work across different areas of Scotland and whether the ideas can be shared to have a truly national framework for Junior Chess. To this end, I wish to reconstitute the Home Junior board and have its membership representing the diverse approaches and opinions we have from across Scotland. I would envisage that the Board would convene on a fairly regular basis such as every six to eight weeks and meetings could be held via Skype to bring everyone from across Scotland together.

I also wish to see a thriving junior website again where juniors contribute and it is packed with news for Chess Scotland’s junior players. This would require the support of the Website Administrator and the International Junior Director and Schools Development Director. Having spoken to Calum and June I know this is something they are both extremely keen on.

Another area of focus and its certainly doesn’t have an easy solution is bridging the gap with young players who play the game frequently at primary school and seem to fall away as they join secondary school. In all honestly, I’m not 100% sure as to the reason for this and I’m sure there are multiple contributory factors but it’s something I intend to investigate and along with the Junior Board come up with some initiatives to arrest this slide.

In terms of tournaments:
I inherit the extremely well run Primary Individual that as a format and a tournament works well and the feedback is always positive. My intention wouldn’t be to tinker with this event and I would seek advice and support from those who have run it for so long. Namely, SJC, the ball is in their court over whether they are willing to work with me but I sincerely hope they will.

The Junior Grand Prix I would continue in its current format with perhaps an extra section for the U20 age group but this is something that I need consider. A recent suggestion (I don’t wish to name drop with whose idea it was) that we could award one of the places at the British as a prize was mooted. This is the sort of ideas I would like to see, if anyone has any further suggestions let me know.
The Jonathon Rowson and Cherie Booth awards are both extremely prestigious awards that I would like to see returned to a committee judging the winner. Preferably, as in the past with a titled player, an experienced former junior and perhaps a Director as opposed to a vote of the membership or a decision by the HJD.

I would like to see the Scottish Schools Championships revived. I had the good fortune to win two Scottish Schools Championships (the same number as Hugh Brechin no less!) as a pupil of Greenwood Academy. When I was at school it was the tournament to win and I had great fun travelling across Scotland to play other schools. This is something that I would work on with Stephen Taylor (who previously ran the event) and the Schools Development Director as I am unsure whose remit it falls into.

I will also assess the viability of a Secondary Individual Championship perhaps in a similar format to the Primary Individual. However, until elected I’m not 100% sure of the resource requirements and the financial implications.

Similarly, I’d like to see the Inter-County Championships making a return in the next year and again would need to seek the support of those who have carried it out in the past. I’m unsure of who previously ran this event and would be interested to know.

Obviously with the loss of the grant Budgets are even tighter than in the past and I will need to be creative in making the budget stretch that bit further. I also hope to be able to prepare some marketing material along with the fellow Junior Directors and the Marketing Director to bring more funds into junior chess.

Experience:
I’ve played chess for about fifteen years now and some of my favourite chess moments were as a junior. I’m passionate about chess and I’m passionate about bringing the game to more people. I’m currently Treasurer of the Ayrshire Chess Association and in my tenure we have supported junior clubs in Ayrshire by providing boards and sets in additional to organising junior training events and supporting our juniors selected for Scotland. I have also assisted in running junior events at the Prestwick (now Ayr) Congress. I’m also currently finishing my training to become a CS arbiter (hopefully I’ll have my three reports after the Inverness Congress). I’ve also been a bit of a ‘hanger on’ at Junior events where my brother ( Daniel) has been playing and most recently assisted with coaching the junior players at the Glorney in Cardiff.

As I said, previously, none of the things I have listed as my aims can be achieved alone and it might be true to say I am not that experienced but I am enthusiastic to see change for the better and I hope others will join me to get more junior playing the game we all love.

Why am I running?:
Initially, I spoke to Calum MacQueen in June who advised me that he was running for IJD and he encouraged me to run for HJD. In Calum, I saw someone who I believed I could work with, who had similar aspirations and who has been and still is one of Scotland’s top young players. I spoke to a handful of close friends about running who advised me that I would be good in the role and offered me their support if elected.

Finally, I am standing for election because I am disappointed with the recent schism in junior chess and my hope is that everyone can contribute positively and move forward. In the past year, there has been so much vitriol spouted on all sides that it’s a miracle we still have so many people willing to volunteer and my hope is that we can all bury the hatchet and move forward. This is probably easier said than done but my door remains open to anyone who is constructive about pushing junior chess forward and increasing participation levels.

I now welcome any questions, queries, suggestions or comments from anyone.

Many thanks,

David

P.S. Apologies for the essay it was meant to be more concise but I got a little carried away. :U

As I am standing my pitch is:

"Most important attribute is honesty. No cyber bullying. I am in favour of the lads tournament of 19 in Andorra & 2 Edinburgh teams in the club cup and Scottish team in Warsaw and good Senior teams and some comeback kids for Norway"

I believe that more than one person has been seeking proxy votes.

I would say that it is acceptable to say "I am going to the meeting if you want me to act as proxy." to known people. It is much less appropriate to say something like "Give me your proxy even though you don't really know me" especially if this happens in what is effectively a spam email.

Anyway my election address for Director of Scottish Championships.

I have been running this event for more years than I care to remember. The current international format and the support of a benefactor has proved beneficial. I am an experienced arbiter, officiating at events since 1980. I have organised a number of events both in Scotland and in England (bet that counts against me!). I am recognised by FIDE as a category B International Arbiter, International Organiser and Arbiter Trainer.
I was the Chess Scotland Home Director and President of the Scottish Junior Chess Association.

I'm sure I could say more. Hopefully others will give a similar (and brief synopsis) either here or more officially.

All

I've decided to step down from my roles on the forum in order to focus my attention elsewhere. This change will take effect from the date of the AGM, and means I will no longer be responsible for any forum related issues.

I want to thank Andy and Hugh for their support over the years/months. Forum moderation is sometimes a difficult and time consuming task and their help has been very much appreciated.

Regards
Andrew

Lennart Koehn is currently battling away against some strong opposition in Austria.

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I’ll use a different thread as an excuse to re-post details of this year’s Dundee & Angus Congress. It will take place 11 – 13 October at David Lloyd Leisure near Monifieth. This year will be our 10th running of the modern Dundee Congress and the 9th at this venue.

Points of note for this year:

We have received additional funding from Awards For All Scotland so the prize fund has been significantly increased. The new money has been spread across most prize groups with additional grading prizes, but Junior prizes have not been increased - instead we have secured the services of one of Scotland's leading junior coaches, Andrew Green, who will conduct one-to-one and small group coaching. Further details including times and format nearer the time (email me if you want info sent direct to you - <!-- e --><a href="mailto:director@dundee-congress.co.uk">director@dundee-congress.co.uk</a><!-- e -->).

Entry fees are unchanged from last year - £23, £21, £19 and £17.

Our policy of not offering free entry continues.

Rate of play – we are dispensing with the interim time control and quickplay finish. Each player will have 1¾ hours for all moves.

Accommodation – plenty of options between Monifieth, Brought Ferry and Dundee. For a comprehensive list of options see http://www.dundee-congress.co.uk/accommodation.htm

Current offers:
Travelodge (http://www.travelodge.co.uk)
Dundee Central - Fri - £34, Sat £43
Strathmore Ave - Fri - £22, Sat £29
Dundee (by Camperdown Park) - Fri - £25, Sat £31 (booked together)

For full details of the congress visit our website http://www.dundee-congress.co.uk
.

As you have gathered I am on holiday at the moment.

I am putting together the list of motions and will publish it later in the week. I have put together the list of candidates for your perusal

Candidates for Election to Directorships of Chess Scotland
All proposed by Hamish Glen and seconded by Andy Howie unless stated

President:
Candidate: Hamish Glen
Proposed by Alex McFarlane, seconded by Andy Howie

Candidate: Stephen Hilton
Proposed by Ian Brownlee, seconded by Chris Hampton

Executive Director:
Candidate: Andy Howie
Proposed by Hamish Glen, seconded by Ian Brownlee

Finance Director
Candidate: David Congalton

Home Director (Open)
No Candidate

Home Director (Junior)
Candidate: David Deary
Proposed by David Congalton, seconded by Iain Fraser

Customer Services Director
No Candidate

International Director (Open)
Candidate: Andrew Muir

International Director (Junior)
Candidate: Calum MacQueen
Proposed by Hugh Brechin, seconded by Sean Milton

Schools Development Director:
Candidate: June Underwood
Proposed by David Oswald, seconded by Calum MacQueen

Marketing Director
Candidate: Jonathan Edwards
Proposed by Hugh Brechin, seconded by Andy Howie

Scottish Championships Director
Candidate: Alex McFarlane

Technical Director
Candidate: Ken Stewart

FIDE/ECU Delegate
Candidate: Andy Howie
Proposed by Hamish Glen, seconded by Ian Brownlee

Dear Chess Friends,

We want to inform you about our 3rd International Chess Tournament "ISTHMIA' 2013 which will be held from 18-25 of August in Vrachati Korinthias Greece.
I am sending to you attached the regulations of the tournament and one more document about the location of the tournament.

For more information you can visit the website of the tournament: <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.isthmia.gr">www.isthmia.gr</a><!-- w -->

Please forward this mail to interested parties.

for the Organizing Committee
Maria Petsetidi
email:korinthiachess@gmail.com
phone:+30 6974858312

I've played in the West Wales Congress a few time. It's a very friendly tournament and you obviously get to play a set of different faces.
See below if you fancy getting away for the weekend. There's a new venue this year.

West Wales 46th Week-end Congress

Note! New Venue: The Mercure Swansea Hotel, Phoenix Way, Llansamlet, Swansea, SA7 9EG <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.mercureswansea.co.uk/">http://www.mercureswansea.co.uk/</a><!-- m -->
Just three miles from Swansea city centre and within easy reach of two M4 junctions, the Mercure Swansea Hotel is set in landscaped lakeside grounds.

FRIDAY – SUNDAY
11th Oct – 13th Oct 2013

OPEN, MAJOR & MINOR SECTIONS
All players in the Open and Major Events must be registered with the Welsh Chess Union or their respective national body.

Schedule of Rounds

Round 1 – Friday 11th October 6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.
Round 2 – Saturday 12th October 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.
Round 3 – Saturday 12th October 2.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Round 4 – Sunday 13th October 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.
Round 5 – Sunday 13th October 2.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
__________________________________________________________

Please send your entries to Les Philpin
59 Cecil Road
Gowerton
SWANSEA
SA4 3DF
Tel: 01792 418711
Mob: 07970 840247
e-mail <!-- e --><a href="mailto:newsilure@hotmail.com">newsilure@hotmail.com</a><!-- e -->

If an acknowledgement is required please enclose a SAE.

Name _____________________________________

Address _____________________________________

_____________________________________

e-mail address _____________________________________

Tel No: _______________________________

Club ___________________ Grade ( if any ) _____

DOB ( if junior ) __________ Bye Requested in Round ____

I wish to enter the OPEN/ MAJOR/ MINOR section and enclose an entry fee of _____ and a donation of _______.

Please make cheques payable to ‘WEST WALES CHESS CONGRESS’

Prizes and Entry Fees
OPEN Entry fee £22
Prizes 1st £200; 2nd £75; 3rd £50
A grading prize will be awarded at under 2000

MAJOR ( Under 1850 ) Entry fee £20
Prizes 1st £150; 2nd £70; 3rd £35
A grading prize will be awarded at under 1650

MINOR ( Under 1500 ) Entry fee adults £18 and juniors £16
Prizes 1st £120; 2nd £60; 3rd £30
A grading prize will be awarded at under 1300

CONGRESS RULES
Rates of play 42 moves in 1hr 45 mins. After 42 moves both clocks to be
moved back 15 minutes and the games completed in the
time remaining.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.tournamentdirector.co.uk/results/tournamentview.asp?Service=&Style=&Tournament=599555941378457DB5DF1C21632CCCFE">http://www.tournamentdirector.co.uk/res ... 21632CCCFE</a><!-- m -->

A great result for David Grant in the afternoon open from the first week. He went close to an incredible double, losing in the last round in the morning open when right in the shake up. Very well done David!