I've no insight into ECF's dealings with HMG and I'm certainly not criticising but I speak as someone who has had similar experiences, albeit outside chess, of negotiating HMG funding. There's often a difference between how applicants really want to use the funds and what HMG (or any other sponsor, for that matter) will agree to. In this case, I have real doubts whether chess tables in parks was anywhere near the top of the ECF's priorities but, instead, that it slotted in neatly with the HMG intention to improve the quality of parks and open spaces in deprived areas.Neill Cooper wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2024 9:40 am"Debate over £2,500 'levelling up' park chess tables"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cprglvj820po
Major investment to transform future of English chess announced
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Re: Major investment to transform future of English chess announced
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Re: Major investment to transform future of English chess announced
Are the newly-installed tables actually being used? What is the news on the ground from local chess players?
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Re: Major investment to transform future of English chess announced
What might be more useful would be chess tables installed in covered areas such as shopping centres.Andrew Martin wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2024 10:28 amAre the newly-installed tables actually being used? What is the news on the ground from local chess players?
The chances of the weather permitting and two people taking chess pieces to a park are vanishingly low.
However, if you are serious about this and, rather than adopting a tokenistic approach, it is possible to do it properly:
https://www.centralpark.com/things-to-d ... -checkers/
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Re: Major investment to transform future of English chess announced
I think what Nigel Short has said about this is absolutely right. These are not huge sums, but the scheme has the potential to spread the chess gospel. Of course, it is also consistent with the government's levelling up ambitions.
Naturally, the scheme would benefit from more local promotion initiatives.
Naturally, the scheme would benefit from more local promotion initiatives.
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Re: Major investment to transform future of English chess announced
""Park budgets around here have been cut right back to the bone, now we've ended up with a chess board that's sort of a white elephant.""
No - it's a bishop now, mate.
Much of the money went to Lancashire as they actually asked for it - many councils didn't.
No - it's a bishop now, mate.
Much of the money went to Lancashire as they actually asked for it - many councils didn't.
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Re: Major investment to transform future of English chess announced
Local man angry that money earmarked for chess was spent on chess and not on a new kitchen.
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Re: Major investment to transform future of English chess announced
If you consider the potential benefits of the scheme, it makes the money seem particularly well spent:
1. Many think chess benefits school performance. If so, let us take full advantage of chess for children, not just the most talented ones.
2. It introduces new players to chess, so ultimately contributes to the government's longer term aspirations for us to become a top chess nation again.
3. It contributes to levelling up.
In summary, a wonderful investment! A no-brainer.
1. Many think chess benefits school performance. If so, let us take full advantage of chess for children, not just the most talented ones.
2. It introduces new players to chess, so ultimately contributes to the government's longer term aspirations for us to become a top chess nation again.
3. It contributes to levelling up.
In summary, a wonderful investment! A no-brainer.
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Re: Major investment to transform future of English chess announced
As well as the "potential" I'd like to consider the reality. First, the location of the chess tables has to be well known. I recently found a chess (or draughts) table in council playing fields 2-3 miles from my address which, for all I know, had been there for years. But as far as I am aware, local chess clubs were unaware of its existence and it seems to have had little use. Secondly, these tables won't be much used in poor or indifferent weather - that's much of the year. Although outdoor chess can be great in sunny weather, there's a good reason why chess is primarily an indoor sport. Thirdly, anyone stumbling across a table by accident won't be able to play without chess pieces - or, indeed, an opponent.John Townsend wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2024 11:43 amIf you consider the potential benefits of the scheme, it makes the money seem particularly well spent:
1. Many think chess benefits school performance. If so, let us take full advantage of chess for children, not just the most talented ones.
2. It introduces new players to chess, so ultimately contributes to the government's longer term aspirations for us to become a top chess nation again.
3. It contributes to levelling up.
In summary, a wonderful investment! A no-brainer.
That's not to suggest there's zero benefit from these tables but how much depends - and here we come back to the word "potential" - on how much use they get. As to whether it's a "wonderful investment", the value of an investment is conventionally valued by comparison with other possible uses of the money involved. For example, is it a better or worse investment than installing chess boards/sets in, say, libraries? How anyone can find this a "no-brainer" rather eludes me. Having said that, it's a sterile discussion because we now have these tables and, like them or loath them, the relevant question is how best to make use of them.
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Re: Major investment to transform future of English chess announced
Roger Lancaster wrote: "How anyone can find this a "no-brainer" rather eludes me."
It is a no-brainer because, for a small outlay, the scheme addresses three important objectives at once. If one of them should fail, there are two other chances.
It is a no-brainer because, for a small outlay, the scheme addresses three important objectives at once. If one of them should fail, there are two other chances.
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Re: Major investment to transform future of English chess announced
It was featured on BBC lunchtime news on North West today I gather
link
link
This episode will be available soon
Any postings on here represent my personal views
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Re: Major investment to transform future of English chess announced
I rather think you've missed the point as I suggested that, before branding something as a "wonderful investment", it's normal to demonstrate why it's the best possible use of money as opposed to - to take the example I gave - promoting chess in libraries with similar if not identical objectives.John Townsend wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2024 2:00 pmRoger Lancaster wrote: "How anyone can find this a "no-brainer" rather eludes me."
It is a no-brainer because, for a small outlay, the scheme addresses three important objectives at once. If one of them should fail, there are two other chances.
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Re: Major investment to transform future of English chess announced
Since those don't appear to involve actually spending significant amounts of money - I suppose it is, yes.John Townsend wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2024 11:08 amOf course, it is also consistent with the government's levelling up ambitions
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)
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Re: Major investment to transform future of English chess announced
They also don't really have those ambitions. It's a slogan designed to win votes that is not backed up with action. Another is the "Northern Powerhouse"Matt Mackenzie wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2024 5:21 pmSince those don't appear to involve actually spending significant amounts of money - I suppose it is, yes.John Townsend wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2024 11:08 amOf course, it is also consistent with the government's levelling up ambitions
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Re: Major investment to transform future of English chess announced
I don't see the purpose of these negative remarks from Roger Lancaster. Haven't we gone past that stage? We have the tables now and I stand by my comment that they are a "wonderful investment", and I have given reasons above. Let us make the most of them.
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Re: Major investment to transform future of English chess announced
I don't see Roger's comments as negative. Subsequent posts from Nick and Matt might be viewed as negative, but they are also entirely accurate.John Townsend wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2024 5:41 pmI don't see the purpose of these negative remarks from Roger Lancaster.
Last edited by NickFaulks on Tue May 07, 2024 8:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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