11-09-2018, 07:12 PM
Its been said before but I'll say again. Scotland is a small country. There are not so many active players or chess events. The idea someone like Hamish is in the room but can't take part can't be right. Its great that this event - any event - is happening but, having gone to the trouble to organize, please do not exclude people from taking part. The idea that it is the strongest players that are excluded just seems to make it worse for me. These are typically the players who are most talented and hardworking at the game which makes them the players we should most want to encourage. For example, why encourage juniors to aspire to get better if they will find that if they achieve this they may then be excluded from an event. It just can't be right. No. Grading systems should take a backseat behind inclusion in my opinion.