02-05-2012, 09:52 AM
It has certainly been the case in the past that the Captain has multiple tasks to fulfil.
There is the obvious admin tasks of team selection (when to rest a player,when to try to maximise norm chances, submitting team lists by the appointed time, establishing opponents and their board order). These tasks are not insignificant.
In addition the Captain has also been involved in coaching/preparation - traditionally for the women's team. Logically the Captain should be a strong player to help with the preparation for both teams since Scotland cannot (a) afford to send a specialised coach or (b) have sufficient players of appropriate strength to carry out the position without weakening the team. Computers can only do so much.
I don't know which Scots applied for the position nor do I know if anything other than fares are being paid.
All I can say is that if Keith is doing this for expenses (or even slightly more) then Chess Scotland has got a very good deal. The fixed budget for this event, I assume, means that effectively the players are covering his costs since they would have benefitted from any savings achieved by not having a Captain. Accommodation will be paid for by the organisers.
In an ideal world we would have a strong Scottish team and enough reserve power to send a strong Scottish Captain. We are not in that position.
Mike seems to have said much of this whilst I was typing.
There is the obvious admin tasks of team selection (when to rest a player,when to try to maximise norm chances, submitting team lists by the appointed time, establishing opponents and their board order). These tasks are not insignificant.
In addition the Captain has also been involved in coaching/preparation - traditionally for the women's team. Logically the Captain should be a strong player to help with the preparation for both teams since Scotland cannot (a) afford to send a specialised coach or (b) have sufficient players of appropriate strength to carry out the position without weakening the team. Computers can only do so much.
I don't know which Scots applied for the position nor do I know if anything other than fares are being paid.
All I can say is that if Keith is doing this for expenses (or even slightly more) then Chess Scotland has got a very good deal. The fixed budget for this event, I assume, means that effectively the players are covering his costs since they would have benefitted from any savings achieved by not having a Captain. Accommodation will be paid for by the organisers.
In an ideal world we would have a strong Scottish team and enough reserve power to send a strong Scottish Captain. We are not in that position.
Mike seems to have said much of this whilst I was typing.