For anyone interested, the world u20 starts tomorrow in Athens. Scotland is being represented by Jonathan Edwards and Clement Sreeves, in what is a very strong field. Looks like they will both be facing IMs over 2470 in r1, so a great opportunity for them to start with decent wins. The results and pairings can be found here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://chess-results.com/tnr76324.aspx?art=0&lan=1&turdet=YES&flag=30">http://chess-results.com/tnr76324.aspx? ... ES&flag=30</a><!-- m -->. Good luck to them both!

the friendliest tournament in Scotland is nearly upon us again.
Start Date: Friday 24/08/2012
End Date: Sunday 26/08/2012.

free beer, dancing girls :U

well actually that was not true but there will be some imbibing going on as well as 5 rounds of competative chess. Come along and see miracles of chess; Robin buying a round, David refusing a drink and me winning a game. All very unlikely but hey you never know! :U

Clement in the thread on the Best game points out his game was not the game in the PGN.

I've been looking at these games for a piece in the next Scottish Chess Mag and
I'm coming across some very odd moves and blatant tactical missed shots.
(much more than normal from you lot and they are coming from some pretty good players.)

Of course a good player can blunder but there are quite a few good players double blundering
which makes me think some of the things never happened.

(.....also did Duncan Walker really play all those bad moves) =)

For example Robert Lagerman - Walter Buchanan Rd9.

[pos]r1b2rk1/ppqnbppp/4p3/3pP3/Q7/P2BBN2/1P3PPP/2R2RK1 b - - 0 17[/pos]

DId Walter really play 17...Nxe5 here hanging his Queen and did Robert really
play 18.Nxe5 not taking it. I doubt it but that is what I've got.

[pgn][Event "Scottish Championship & International O"]
[Site "Glasgow, SCO"]
[Date "2012.07.14"]
[Round "9"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2315"]
[BlackElo "2127"]
[EventDate "2012.??.??"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nc6 4. Ngf3 Nf6 5. e5 Nd7 6. Bd3 Nb4 7. Be2 c5 8. c3 Nc6 9. Bd3 Qb6 10. O-O cxd4 11. cxd4 Nxd4 12. Nxd4 Qxd4 13. Nf3 Qb6 14. Qa4 Be7 15. a3 O-O 16. Be3 Qc7 17. Rac1 Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Qxe5 19. Bf4 Qxb2 20. Rc7 Qxa3 21. Qc2 Bf6 22. Bxh7+ Kh8 23. Rd1 e5 24. Bc1 Qd6 25. Rc3 b5 26. Be4 Be6 27. Rxd5 Qb4 28. Rdd3 Rfc8 29. Bxa8 Rxa8 30. Rh3+ Bxh3 31. Rxh3+ Kg8 32. Qh7+ Kf8 33. Ba3 1-0[/pgn]

The Scottish squad for the EU Youth Championships, held in Mureck is as follows:

U14 - Andrew McCusker, Stuart Wynne
U12 - Kirsty McCusker
U10 - Robert Pirrie
Head of Delegation- Hamish Glen

They have arrived safely in Austria and are on their way to the hotel, which is the same one as last year so they will have very limited internet access.

The first round is on Wednesday. Good luck to all four.

I wonder what T-shirt CJ will be wearing at presentation this year?

Grand Prix 2011-2012

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://chessscotland.com/csinfo/gpleader.htm">http://chessscotland.com/csinfo/gpleader.htm</a><!-- m -->

The Grand Prix figures are finalised July 26 after the addition of the Scottish Championships. Congratulations to the prizewinners. Prizes may be distributed at Marymass - all will be notified.

Meanwhile if anyone spots any errors in calculations please let us know immediately: <!-- e --><a href="mailto:grading@chessscotland.com">grading@chessscotland.com</a><!-- e -->. The individual winner list will appear here next week.

Many thanks to our sponsors Chessbase, Everyman Books and New in Chess magazine. All have agreed to continue sponsorship into the new season. If anyone has any further ideas or contacts to add to our existing pool of sponsors please let us know.

Thanks to programmers Gordon Rattray and Andrew McHarg.

It seems I am cursed when it comes to the Scottish Championships and car parking problems.

Last year in Edinburgh I caught a traffic warden ticketing me despite my blue badge being visible, for which he got an unpleasant earful. It made me feel better at any rate.

This year, the limited parking options for me meant that using the NCP in Glassford Street was the best option, although pricy. From there it wasn't too arduous to get a wheelchair to the venue, albeit with help. However, today I received a "Bus Lane Enforcement Charge Notice" for driving in a bus lane on Glassford Street. The council provided 3 fine pics as evidence (taken from an overhead camera), it is definitely me as one of my sidelights is out

But this was a direct result of turning right out of the NCP onto Glassford Street - fortunately I only did this on one day. Anybody else get pinged for this? Can't remember seeing any signage so am thoroughly peeved to say the least :\

Starting a new thread because I don't wish to hog the 'Goals' thread.

I must thank Andrew for that thread because clearly it's good to set goals from top to bottom.

Here's a point to our elected representatives. Currently Fide the International Body of Chess has potential support for our juniors to attend The World Youth, European Youth, Under 16 Olympiad and Under 20 World Youth of over £20,000.

They are outstripping our own country Britain/Scotland in terms of money that actually goes to support our Juniors attend these events by at least 5 to 1. That is a lamentable situation.

Will use this thread to prepare notes for approaching my MP and MSP.

Those who wish to see our juniors better supported please feel free to add their ideas to this thread.

I will be flying to Chennai for the 14th IBCA Olympiad for the blind and also for the IBCA Congress.

Here is a link to a short film about our event

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpva7-7_xDw&feature=player_embedded">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpva7-7 ... r_embedded</a><!-- m -->

can anyone enlighten me as to when AGM starts?? Thanks