Ian Thompson wrote: The list of nominees suggests to me that's its been a pretty bleak year for English chess when several players' "outstanding result" is tying for a minor place in an open tournament, and one of the nominees has had no outstanding results at all.
Well I suppose that poses that same questions that were kicked around last year
(a) what constitutes a good reason for being 'player of the year'
and
(b) what constitutes a par performance for British chess. Is this a 'bleak' year or just worst than the out-lying high-point of the late 80s/early 90s.
Like Chris, btw, I also think it’s a bit of a shame that you can only vote for once unlike previous systems. I don’t think it’s as problematic as the system of approved nominees though.
Like Mike, perhaps, given Stewart "Diversity" Reuben’s spirited refusal to accept there was any problem at all last year ...
The view has been expressed that most of the nominated players are white. The committee did not notice this. I think that demonstrates we are not biased.
... I’m not minded to assume they he is responsible for the improvement this year.