Ladies and gentleman,

I am very interested in what goes on in Scottish Chess and how all of our players get on in events both at home and abroad.

I know many of you are a humble, shy bunch and not one's for publicising your achievements. Many of you might be concerned that you may enter a tournament and then not preform to expectations. Then when you excel don't want to seem as if you're boasting.

However, I appeal to you all. Make my life easier and let us all know what's planned or going on. How can we expect Scottish Chess to become more popular when half the time current players have to search far and wide or rely on chance to discover Scots are taking part in events. It's down to participants and organisers.

I give you some examples -

How many knew Ketevan Arakhamia-Grant was playing in the Women's world blitz and rapidplay this week? I have belatedly found out and have just joined the live action in round 8 of the first event.

How many knew Colin McNab was taking part in the British Problem Solving Championships earlier this season, let alone won it? There's a piece on the ECF website about the next one. I'd like to see our problem solvers who are taking part, given some CS webspace.

British Universities winners - Again another big secret prior to the event.

The quality of the Scottish Championship field - 9 GM's and counting and a host of other titled players. Along with the Scottish Blitz will this be a record year for GM participation in Scottish events?

So, some things I have come across in the past couple of days that I think organisers and players should be letting us know about on the front page of CS under news or on the forum, instead of hiding it away like treasure.

1. Keith Arkell simul in Aberdeen - see the calendar! This is big news!
2. Scottish participation in the London Diamond Jubilee event - 2nd to 6th June -

Open

Ranking after round 1 - Players by fed SCO

Rank Name Flags Score Fed. M/F Rating TPR W-We 1
8 McDonald, Ian Scotland 0.5 SCO M 1840 0 +0.00 =
25 FM Berry, Neil Scotland 0.0 SCO M 2308 0 +0.00
32 Sreeves, Clement Scotland 0.0 SCO M 2209 0 +0.00

Challengers

Rank Name Flags Score Fed. M/F Rating TPR W-We 1
1 Lees, Fraser Barclays 1.0 SCO M 0 * 0 0 +
8 McDonald, Maryann Scotland 0.5 SCO M 1548 0 +0.00 =
26 Campbell, Eoin S Scotland 0.0 SCO M 1867 0 +0.00
40 Rough, Robert E Scotland 0.0 SCO M 1738 0 +0.00

Major

Ranking after round 1 - Players by fed SCO

Rank Name Flags Score Fed. M/F Rating TPR W-We 1
5 McDonald, Angus 0.5 SCO M 0 * 0 0 =

3. GM Paul Motwani will be visiting Ayrshire next May. More details will follow after the Scottish Championships take place.

Anybody else got any chess secrets they want to share?

Ketevan Arakhamia-Grant is taking part in the Women's World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2012. She’s playing in Georgia. The allegro games finish today. If you’re quick you can see her next game starting at 14.00 here <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.e2e4.ge/public_html/rapid1/tfd.htm">http://www.e2e4.ge/public_html/rapid1/tfd.htm</a><!-- m --> the last game starts at 16.00 If you can’t see this goto <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.e2e4.ge/">http://www.e2e4.ge/</a><!-- m -->

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://mydonate.bt.com/events/worldyouth">https://mydonate.bt.com/events/worldyouth</a><!-- m -->

Everyone,

We feel that we have a very talented and rapidly improving Scottish junior squad at the moment. For the World Youth in November we have eleven players selected so far but there is likely to be more travelling. Alan Tate will not be able to coach this number of juniors properly, I myself have serious limitations at this level and most of our juniors are improving so quickly, I would be hard pushed to help them much anyway. Basically we need a second quality coach if we are to support this squad properly. The IJD budget has not the funds to support this and I am seeking donations to this very deserving cause. If you click on the link above it will take you to a site where we can claim back the tax on your donation for Gift Aid. Effectively for every £4 you donate, it becomes five. If we are to continue to maintain Scottish junior progress, we need your support,

Thank you

Robin.

Some pics from the recent CFK held alongside the D&A Spring Allegro:

http://tinyurl.com/6nopbsy

.

Open:
1st - Clement Sreeves
2nd - Stephen Burns-Mannion
3rd - David Findlay

Major:
1st - Robin Moore
2nd = Siegrun Macgilchrist, Ian Morris, David Deary

I'll follow up with a short story about the day and grading performances - but not just yet. I'm off to see Karen Matheson at Dundee Rep followed by a scoop or three.

Keith

Wanted: A book for beating the London System
Will swap for: one soul ...

I learned today that Richard Wiltshire of Bearsden Chess Club is currently in a care home in Glasgow, following his recent illness and have been asked to post the address of the home for anybody that would like to visit him, as visitors are very much appreciated.

The address is Oak Bridge Care Home, 2302 Great Western Road, Knightswood, Glasgow, G13 2HA.

Sorry but I don't have any further information but I hope Richard is doing okay.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18074307

Hamilton Junior Congress Results Sunday 13th May, held in St Margarets Church Hall Airdrie

Under 300:
1st Matthew Billcliff Lenzie Chess Academy 6/7
2nd Thomas Billcliff Lenzie Chess Academy 6/7
3rd Adam Johnstone Bishopton 5/7

Medals 50% and above
4/7 Archie Kemp Bruntsfield
Cameron Hogg Burnside
Daniel McMurray Burnside

3.57 Rebecca Lamb Bishopton

Under 600:
1st Greg Gardiner st Josephs Blantyre 6/7
2nd John Morrison Bruntsfield 6/7
3rd Eoin Cameron Bishopton 5/7

Medals 50% and above
4.5/7 Tom Constance Lawhead St Andrews
Luke Laverty St Marks Hamilton

4/7 Jake Sanger Prestwick
Stefan Van Heese St John the Baptist Uddingston
Callum Walker St Brides Bothwell
Ferdinand Becker Sciennes Edinburgh
Felix Esche Steiner School Edinburgh

Over 600:
1st Jan Van Heese Hamilton CC 5/7
2nd Samuel Kearns Glenrothes CC 4.5/7
3rd Craig Gillies St Aloysius Airdrie 4.5/7

Medals for 50% and above
4/7 Andrew Gillies St Aloysius

3.5/7 Euan Dawson Lawhead St Andrew

s

Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5