LANARKSHIRE CHESS LEAGUE
Minutes
Wednesday 26 June 2013




Attendees: Alastair Maxwell (Crowwood), Jim Johnston(East Kilbride), Ian McLachlan (Lanark), Jim Smalls (Lanark), Andrew Pollock (Crowwood),Tom Brown(Lanark), Ian Brownlee (Lanark), Michael Hanley (Hamilton)

Clubs not attended or represented: Bellshill, Cumbernauld

President’s remarks
The President (Ian Brownlee) welcomed the attendees of the meeting and thanked them for attending the meeting. He also gave thanks at this point for the outstanding work of the outgoing league controller (Ian McLachlan) who would be stepping down this year. The president also noted the absence of the secretary.

Secretary’s Report (abreviated)
As the secretary(Luke Greenslade) was in absentia there were no proper minutes, merely a mention on the agenda of the rules passed

Treasurer’s Report
The treasurer gave a detailed report of the current finances. The report was proposed by Alastair Maxwell and seconded by Michael Hanley subject to an external audit by Bernard Airlie. The finance report did not have an exact amount as there was an estimated invoice of £20.00due to be supplied by Andy Howie regarding a rental of premises for the previous fixtures meeting. The treasurer also proposed an increase of £2.00 per team in order to cover anticipated costs for the next few years. This was seconded by Michael Hanley

League Controller’s report
The league controller announced the winners which were Crowwood (Division one) and Lanark B (Division two) Bellshill A will be demoted this year and Lanark B promoted. Only two clubs defaulted any games this year, Bellshill and Hamilton A lively session followed with the President reiterating the hard work done by the league controller

Presentation of Prizes
The President presented the Division One trophies to Alastair Maxwell and the Division Two trophies to Tom Brown

League structure 2013 – 2014
Based on the basis of twelve teams in the Lanarkshire Chess League, there was much discussion on the league format for the next season, the favoured format being a 6-6 split as opposed to a 7-5 split. The twelve team format is based on commitments given on the night and of pre-meeting commitments given by the absent clubs. If the 6-6 split takes place, then two teams will be demoted from Division One and one team promoted from Division Two. In any event the constitution of the leagues will be the responsibility of the league controller.


Proposed guidance changes
The outgoing League Controller had prepared significant changes to the guide to quick play finishes to bring it into line with current playing practice. These changes were passed and Ian Mclachlan indicated he would update the website with the changes

Election of Office Bearers
The election of office bearers are as follows:

President: Ian Brownlee proposed: Michael Hanley, seconded: Andrew Pollock
Secretary: Ian Brownlee proposed: Jim Johnston, seconded: Michael Hanley
Treasurer: Tom Brown proposed: Alastair Maxwell, seconded Michael Hanley
League Controller: Alastair Maxwell proposed :Ian Brownlee, seconded Jim Johnston

Man Comm: Michael Hanley, Jim Johnston, Andrew Pollock proposed en mass by member


Any Other Competent Business
Andrew Pollock announced that, subject to the Crowwood AGM, that Crowwood and Shettleston Chess Club will merge to become Stepps Chess Club. The President noted that Stepps Chess Club would retain Crowwood’s status in the Lanarkshire Chess League due to the fact that Shettleston did not have a team in the league.

Michael Hanley was asked by the meeting to communicate with all member club with a view to set up a separate division to accommodate a grading bar of under 1400’s or thereabouts. These members would also be able to play in the existing divisions as well as this separate division.

Close of meeting
The meeting was closed by the President

HI Guys
Lanarkshire Chess League 2013 minutes
LANARKSHIRE CHESS LEAGUE
Minutes
Wednesday 26 June 2013




Attendees: Alastair Maxwell (Crowwood), Jim Johnston(East Kilbride), Ian McLachlan (Lanark), Jim Smalls (Lanark), Andrew Pollock (Crowwood),Tom Brown(Lanark), Ian Brownlee (Lanark), Michael Hanley (Hamilton)

Clubs not attended or represented: Bellshill, Cumbernauld

President’s remarks
The President (Ian Brownlee) welcomed the attendees of the meeting and thanked them for attending the meeting. He also gave thanks at this point for the outstanding work of the outgoing league controller (Ian McLachlan) who would be stepping down this year. The president also noted the absence of the secretary.

Secretary’s Report (abreviated)
As the secretary(Luke Greenslade) was in absentia there were no proper minutes, merely a mention on the agenda of the rules passed

Treasurer’s Report
The treasurer gave a detailed report of the current finances. The report was proposed by Alastair Maxwell and seconded by Michael Hanley subject to an external audit by Bernard Airlie. The finance report did not have an exact amount as there was an estimated invoice of £20.00due to be supplied by Andy Howie regarding a rental of premises for the previous fixtures meeting. The treasurer also proposed an increase of £2.00 per team in order to cover anticipated costs for the next few years. This was seconded by Michael Hanley

League Controller’s report
The league controller announced the winners which were Crowwood (Division one) and Lanark B (Division two) Bellshill A will be demoted this year and Lanark B promoted. Only two clubs defaulted any games this year, Bellshill and Hamilton A lively session followed with the President reiterating the hard work done by the league controller

Presentation of Prizes
The President presented the Division One trophies to Alastair Maxwell and the Division Two trophies to Tom Brown

League structure 2013 – 2014
Based on the basis of twelve teams in the Lanarkshire Chess League, there was much discussion on the league format for the next season, the favoured format being a 6-6 split as opposed to a 7-5 split. The twelve team format is based on commitments given on the night and of pre-meeting commitments given by the absent clubs. If the 6-6 split takes place, then two teams will be demoted from Division One and one team promoted from Division Two. In any event the constitution of the leagues will be the responsibility of the league controller.


Proposed guidance changes
The outgoing League Controller had prepared significant changes to the guide to quick play finishes to bring it into line with current playing practice. These changes were passed and Ian Mclachlan indicated he would update the website with the changes

Election of Office Bearers
The election of office bearers are as follows:

President: Ian Brownlee proposed: Michael Hanley, seconded: Andrew Pollock
Secretary: Ian Brownlee proposed: Jim Johnston, seconded: Michael Hanley
Treasurer: Tom Brown proposed: Alastair Maxwell, seconded Michael Hanley
League Controller: Alastair Maxwell proposed :Ian Brownlee, seconded Jim Johnston

Man Comm: Michael Hanley, Jim Johnston, Andrew Pollock proposed en mass by member


Any Other Competent Business
Andrew Pollock announced that, subject to the Crowwood AGM, that Crowwood and Shettleston Chess Club will merge to become Stepps Chess Club. The President noted that Stepps Chess Club would retain Crowwood’s status in the Lanarkshire Chess League due to the fact that Shettleston did not have a team in the league.

Michael Hanley was asked by the meeting to communicate with all member club with a view to set up a separate division to accommodate a grading bar of under 1400’s or thereabouts. These members would also be able to play in the existing divisions as well as this separate division.

Close of meeting
The meeting was closed by the President

Just a quick thread raising some points about the state of chess in Scotland today.

A while ago I posted up a thread asking if chess in Scotland was in decline. This thread had 0 responses.

From what I can see, it does look like numbers playing chess at a club level have decreased. There will be exceptions to this with certain clubs but overall this would appear to be the case.

For Chess in Scotland: What can be done to rectify this? Or, if I'm wrong and there is not a "decline", then what can be done to increase numbers regardless?

Also what can Chess Scotland, as the national body, do to promote the game?

I seldom look at this noticeboard, but was surprised to see a couple of days ago (and today) so much infighting and argument. A lot of stuff that goes well beyond rational debate.

If I was a member of the public looking at these forums with an interest in chess, this would put me right off. It wouldn't be so bad if it was just confined amongst a small number of people who contribute on the forums (as most players will not contribute on here). The fact it goes to the heart of Chess Scotland, however, is concerning. Talk of "directors" taking legal action against other "directors", and reports not being able to submitted prior to a council meeting as they are (or could be) libellous is not acceptable.

I don't know who is right who is wrong, or even what the issues are, I don't even want to know, the point is such things are damaging to chess in Scotland.

Leave your egos at the door.

There is far to much politics involved in Scottish chess (and egos). Everyone should be working towards the same goal.

Going back to my original point; in my opinion, the biggest objective of Chess Scotland should be to promote chess in Scotland amongst adults and juniors.

Just my opinions, I would be interested to hear others thoughts on the points raised herein.

the many achievements noted by Phil Thomas in another post has got me thinking. there are many coaches who give up much of their time to coach players, especially juniors. It may be an idea to formally recognise them with a similar thing to Player of the Year. I know of several in Ayrshire, Steven Taylor and Billy Kelly to name but two, but I'm sure that there will be many many more across the country who are unsung heroes. What do you think?

I understand that Chess Scotland are refusing to publish 2 reports by 2 of its directors in relation to tomorrow’s Council meeting.

It appears that Chess Scotland is turning into a dictatorship and free speech and criticism are being prevented.

I would like to know who exactly has made this decision and under what powers within the Constitution they have made it? The members of Chess Scotland deserve to know that freedom of speech is being curtailed and that information is being withheld from them.

Just to take people's attention away from Council meetings and board moderation, I'd like to report the following discovery:

47 + 5 + 3 = 121

At least, that's what the list of entrants for this year's Scottish Championships appears to be saying.

Now, if we could just apply the underlying principle to Chess Scotland's bank accounts, we wouldn't miss the Government grant.

Thanks to everyone who has supplied data this season.

The grading year ends officially on June 30.

Please send any outstanding data by then.

The next Fide import of outside Scotland data will be included on July 1.

The 2013 Scottish Championships will be processed using new 2013-14 grades. The Championships will be included twice in the Grand Prix as the final event of 2012-13 season and the first event of 2013-14.

There will be a period of error checking for a couple of weeks in July before we close off the list for the year. So please send any additional information e.g. junior ages, spellings, change of club etc by July 14 and it can be incorporated into the finalised list.

The new season will start online as soon as checking is completed.

There will be a printed list which will be sent to all graders and congress organisers.

Dear All

The Jessie Gilbert Celebration International Chess Festival will again take place in the later half of August this year. We are open for entries.

Details can be seen from the festival home page:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ccfworld.com/Chess/Adult%20Competitions/JessieGilbertCeleb_info.htm">http://www.ccfworld.com/Chess/Adult%20C ... b_info.htm</a><!-- m -->

We have the following events:
* Open Norm Swiss event (11 rounds - see web site for exact schedule)
* Sections-4-all (anyone rated under 2000) events (2 weekend only events + 2 midweek events).
* Junior training days (including one where we will train new players from scratch).

Kind regards

Scott Freeman
CCF Activities Coordinator
English Chess Federation Accredited Coach & Arbiter
FIDE International Organiser & Arbiter
(CCF is an English Chess Federation Centre of Excellence)

Morning,

I am having problems with my router (I think) which is preventing me from logging in to confirm the venue. it is the Premier Inn at Charing Cross, Glasgow, same as the AGM. Apologies for this

It is my unfortunate duty to announce that Andrew Kilgariff, a Chess Scotland Life Member, died yesterday 15 June 2013. The following affectionate memories were written by his brother, Norman.

Chess was one of Andy’s life long loves. He taught me chess in the 1950s when he was about 10, I was about 5, though it was five years before I learned that en passant wasn’t cheating. I remember playing him ‘best out of ten’ in the mid 1960s for a tube of Smarties a game. He was winning 7-0 but game 8 was a different story.

He was about 4 pieces down, I was so busy nudging his king around I missed a cheapo and he pulled off an incredible swindle. 8-0. I hadn’t a clue that he had any chance of counterplay at all, but as he delivered ‘mate’ he leapt in the air ecstatically a few times, jumped over the couch, lapped it repeatedly chanting ‘yes ya beauty’ as I looked at the board in disbelief. It ended 10-0, but rather than take ten tubes of Smarties from me, he kindly settled for a box. Perhaps if I had been a better chess player he wouldn’t have got so fat.

We would play from time to time, sometimes not for years, and never again for Smarties, but in the 1980s I discovered the Cathcart Chess Club and chess gradings. Andy had heard about chess gradings before and had told me, we really wanted one but didn’t know where to buy them. Now I could explain it and in no time he joined RAF Leuchars Chess Club and never looked back.

Andy became very active in the TAFCA area, he liked to encourage & support chess ventures, whether shops, organisations, events or whatever. He just loved chess. We played each other Correspondence for years and OTB whenever possible. I think he set up the Cupar Chess Club when he was the Heidy at the primary school and then, years later, he moved to Perth. Deteriorating health will have curtailed his chess activity lately of course.

Chess gave him a lot of pleasure throughout his life and he gave a lot back. Now he has castled queen side.