English Chess Forum

"I agree any member should be able to ask questions," My concern is simply that where a decision is subjective and a strong candidate is passed over, the player should at least be given a private and credible explanation. And if an unusual consideration involving another player has influenced the de...

"I don't think that this is what our gold reps are for at all. They are meant to consult members and represent their interests." I assume ECF has now insisted that players representing ECF are members of ECF, so why wouldn't the gold reps ask such questions? If a member feels badly treated in any w...

I believe transparency and merit should be at the heart of any selection process. Keith. I greatly appreciate you sharing your experience, particularly as someone who has played for England and has direct knowledge of senior-team selection. Your comments reinforce my view that this is not about re-...

Mind you, some people use AI on their photos these days, so they don't always look their age!" (have a look at the board and officers on the ecf page) The comment about photographs of ECF Board members/officers and whether AI may have been used seems unrelated to the discussion about England team s...

I would certainly welcome more transparency around the selection criteria, whether that includes rating, recent form, performances in major events such as the British Championship, international experience, or a combination of those things.♟️ As a Gold representative, I think you would have the pow...

Thank you George, and I think you raise a very fair point. For me, the main issue is not necessarily whether the selectors have chosen the strongest possible team, but whether Gold members and the wider chess community can clearly understand how those decisions have been reached. I would certainly w...

I may be wrong but I believe Direct Members Representatives are subject to the ECF code of conduct and that this applies to all candidates the moment they put themselves forward for election. Therefore the route for redress may lie there. Having dealt with toxic people myself in the past I have lea...

Dear Reader, In response to the latest comments made by John Reyes, I feel I need to reply because I am concerned that, without clarification, people may form an inaccurate impression of me or of what has happened... This is not something I wanted to revisit, and I would much rather the matter had r...

Thanks Voters The votes have now been counted and you have chosen me to be one of the four Gold Member representatives. I would like to thank all those who expressed confidence in me to represent their views to the ECF. Whether you voted for me or not, I confirm that I will represent your views and ...

They have more than 40 players registered on their list in that season. I also want to make it clear that the situation with Barbara had a serious impact on my mental health. On 15 June 2024 I reached a point where I had to contact a friend for support. That experience was real, and I have no reaso...

True. But lower rated players can play 'up' in most circumstances that I am aware of, including in the MCF. It only works the other way, i.e. stronger players are limited in how far (if at all) they can play ''down'. The impression I had was that Eccles were trying to run three teams with pool of p...

Hi all i saw this just above: If elected as an ECF Gold Representative, I want to champion grassroots chess across the country. I want to encourage more volunteers, support more community chess initiatives, promote more dedicated chess venues, and help create more playing opportunities so that Gold...

Hi all i saw this just above: If elected as an ECF Gold Representative, I want to champion grassroots chess across the country. I want to encourage more volunteers, support more community chess initiatives, promote more dedicated chess venues, and help create more playing opportunities so that Gold...

Hello Chess People, Tomorrow is the final day of the elections, and as one of the candidates I would like to tell those who don't already know me a little about who I am, what I have achieved, and why I hope to earn your vote. My name is Barbara Farrar, and I run and host what I believe is the only ...

Hi George, having read your address I found it very forward thinking. If we are successful' I look forward to working with you in the future. Good Luck Barbara.