posted on behalf of Mac McKenzie

George Wilson Livie

On Wednesday 1st June 2016 the Scottish chess scene lost one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the game in the sudden death of George Livie.

George was born in 1937 and lived the early years of his life in Cardonald, Glasgow and had one older brother, David. School was not the happiest time of his life and he left as the earliest opportunity. After a short spell in work he gained entry to the police and served as a cadet in the Metropolitan police force. Just before his eighteenth birthday he was called up for national service, where with his police background, he was able to join the Military Police and went on to serve his time in Kenya. He would recount the tale of his brief encounter with royalty when Princess Margaret visited Kenya. On duty he stood to attention and saluted only to be covered in dust as the car speedily drove past him.

Finishing national service he re-joined the Metropolitan police and after a short spell there he decided to return to his home city and join the Glasgow police force. At this time he met Margaret who was to become his wife in early 1959. He continued serving as a constable on the south side of Glasgow and later joined the CID. Now with a wife and a young family the decision was made that George would go to university to study law while continuing to work shifts in the police. This was a difficult time but George, with Margaret’s help, persevered and in 1972 he graduated with his law degree.

By this time the family had grown and there were now four children, Douglas, Valerie, Alan and Elizabeth. George entered private practice and worked with a number of Glasgow law firms ending with the firm Paterson, Robertson and Graham (now PRG) before serving as a judge on employment tribunals.
From his early days George had shown an interest in chess and used to play for the police before joining Cathcart Chess Club where he served as president from 1973-75 and again from 2003-10. He was also a past club champion and frequently won the best game prize in the Club Championship, the last time being in the 2013-14 season. In 2013 he was made an honorary member for all his support and commitment to the club.
Not only did he enjoy over the board games he was a keen correspondence player and was a founder member of the Scottish Correspondence Chess Association. Initially he served as Grading Officer and then as Vice-President. In 2003 he gained his International Master title and in 2011 there was a presentation in recognition of his outstanding service for the Scottish Association.

George also ventured into the commercial side of chess being one of the original directors of Chess Suppliers (Scotland) Ltd. His home was often used to store equipment and books before the business acquired its own premises. He was a frequent competitor at congresses throughout Britain ranging from Oban in the North to the Channel Islands in the South. You could be sure of a tough game if he was sitting opposite you. He purchased many a chess book but he often admitted that he didn’t get round to reading them all.

Due to his legal background his advice and guidance was sought by many both inside and outside chess circles. George could always be relied on to do his best to help others. His family which has grown to include nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren was a very important part of his life. Many times he would wind up one of the junior members of the family with his stories so that they were never sure if he was kidding or not but in the end it would usually be “grandpa” that ended up being caught out. Another big part of his life was the church where he served as an elder for nearly 40 years.

My memories are of a valued friend who had a big personality, happy to be “mine host”. You were always assured of a warm welcome at the Livie house. He enjoyed his red wine and had his own food preferences (steaks being high on the list). He also had his own style and was enthusiastic in everything he did. Underneath it all George was a proud family man who was generous with his time and talent when it came to helping others. I will miss that man as I’m sure many others will.

Our thoughts go out to Margaret and all the family as they love and support each other in the great loss at the centre of their lives.

Mac McKenzie

Is there really a need for membership cards? Paying for something that is useless and requires trees to be cut down is kind of annoying....

Grading Deadline 2015-2016

The 2015-16 grading year finishes on June 30, 2016. The July 1, 2016 set of FIDE international data will be imported and included in player results for this season. The Grand Prix 2015-16 finishes with the 2016 Scottish Championships in Glasgow. The data will be used for the Grand Prix only and will not be processed for grading for 2015-16 season. The 2016 Scottish Championships will be the first event of the new 2016-17 season and will use new season grades when the data is processed.

The next upload is scheduled for Friday July 1 (or slightly later if the FIDE data is not immediately available).

There will be a period of checking data in July before the new season is created. If there are any missing results, or corrections to results, junior ages, spellings or player club affiliations please send asap - <!-- e --><a href="mailto:grading@chessscotland.com">grading@chessscotland.com</a><!-- e -->. There may be one final update in July to reflect these corrections if received after July 1.

Thanks to all who have supplied grading data and information this season. Thanks to grading system programmers Gordon Rattray and Andrew McHarg.

***

Grading List 2016-2017

The 2014 Chess Scotland AGM and follow up Council meetings discussed cost saving measures with regard to the printing of the Grading List. The online display of grading information has meant that sales of the book have declined sharply in recent years.

Last season we started a new policy that there is no longer a printed grading book sent out automatically to all graders, tournament organisers, officials etc. A complimentary copy of the book will however be sent out free of charge in PDF format.

Some players and officials have indicated they would still like to be able to use the printed grading list. To satisfy these requests we will make a shorter print run of the grading List but only for copies which have been purchased in advance. That way we minimise printing costs on potentially unsold copies.

If you would like to order a copy of the printed Grading List please buy a copy before August 1 2016 by using the online form here <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.chessscotland.com/membership/membership.htm">http://www.chessscotland.com/membership/membership.htm</a><!-- m -->
The charge is £5 and includes postage. The size of the print run will be determined by the number of orders taken by that date. The book will be printed up in early August and posted out to purchasers. There will only be a very limited number of books available for purchase after this date.

I am pleased to say that the new constitution was passed today at the SGM.

After a discussion after todays SGM, we have opened the forum to public access (read only) so that guests can see what is being discussed.

Hi Guys
I am hoping to introduce a rapid play event which will be FIDE rated (assuming I will still be Home Director next season) and I would like serious input from as wide a field as possible.

Here are a few of my thoughts, I've already spoken to a few people in my neck of the woods

1. Do we use utilise the MacIsaac trophy which is not being used at the moment or do we get a new trophy (i'll buy it if the latter)

2. As in the MacIsaac should be a minimum grading of say 1850. I'm thinking of a secondary quickplay on the same day for those below 1850.

3. Location. Should we have it over different venues like the Grand Prix format or have it as a one off on a saturday. I'm thinking of say accumulate the points and play as often as you like. It gives the people in relatively remote locations (e.g. Aberdeen) a great chance to participate.

4. By rapidplay I mean 15 minutes each, possibly with increments

I am keen to hear from anyone who has an opinion one way or the other

I have received news that IM Danny Kopec who played in Edinburgh in the 70s and 80s died yesterday.

He won the Scottish Championship at Troon in 1980

I believe he had been fighting cancer.

A good effort there by Chelsea Liang against the top seed Jake Sanger in the first round.

The report from the Ayr Congress by Adam Bremner has recently been posted to the Scottish Chess Tour website. You can read the report here: http://scotchesstour.co.uk/ayr%20report.html

I am delighted to announce that SNCL has a new venue in Dunfermline.

Carnegie Conference Centre (Previously known as BLCC) has agreed to give us a large hall, separate large room for analysis, light lunches (still to be finalised if you have any preferences please let me know -- sensible ones only thankyou) and coffee machine £1 coin only so make sure you have plenty. Water will be provided as usual. There is also a large foyer to sit and chat in, doors close by for smokers, lift as there are five steps down to playing area, access to grounds for walking, ample parking and easy walk to retail park which I believe includes Macdonalds within Asda.

Literally within throwing distance (100 feet or so) there is a Holiday Inn Express (hope I've got the right company I will confirm nearer the time) This company has agreed to give us rooms for £45 single or £49 twin/double. Again more details nearer the time.

CCC has a website so please google it. Hope you will be happy.

GG