27-01-2014, 01:42 PM
Andrew McHarg Wrote:I think we lack the political backing to be as successful as other countries, as politicians here don't see Chess as do others from other nations. It might be prudent to try to win the attention of our politicians before embarking on trying to replicate another nation's success.
I don't disagree Andrew. But what you say is not so much an obstacle, just a step in that process. Chess is full of barriers, it is just a case of doing what needs to be done to get passed those barriers. We should be having dialogue with Sturgeon, Salmond or whomever will listen. Even if it is lower down the political food chain, thats a start. The benefits of a strong chess nation need to be explained, i.e. how it helps everyday people, or even better demonstrated. Lets get politicians along and in the door, dishing out a prize at a congress, giving a speech at the Scottish Championships.