English Chess Forum

Surely proxies should be allowed

Isn't the ECF vote a matter for Council members, or if Council cannot direct then a matter for the board? A good debating point for this forum, but no substitute for letting the decision makers know directly. And as an outgoing member of council I simply need to know whether there is a strategy with...

From what I can establish white is graded some twenty points lower, plays an irregular opening, is confronted by a dodgy or unbalancing move 4, and then picks the wrong response. I'm a bit weaker than white but I wouldn't choose Bb5 and certainly wouldn't castle queenside, the only side of the board...

What's wrong with simply playing 5 d x e5?

The first question must surely be to define 'social chess club' . Is it just more sociable and relaxed than a normal club? Is it a gateway for potentially getting people off the internet and into face to face chess and then proper competition. The marketing needs to be directed at the audience, and ...

'This is team chess though. It's dispiriting to play in a team which is getting crushed, particularly if it was a long journey' Does this also apply to club chess or are average rating differences regularly in excess of 40 points reasonable because its a relatively short travelling distance? Persona...

How many members of the ECF actually want the opportunity to 'endorse or otherwise' the Board's decision in this matter? There are reasons why you have a Board to make decisions, and it normally involves acting in a timely and informed manner. Permanent and perpetual consultation has to be proportio...

I also disagree with you here Roger. Just because two team captains are happy and either blissfully ignorant of a rule breach or unconcerned by it, doesn't mean that a corrective action shouldn't be applied otherwise there is little point to having rules. in a multiple team competition there are oth...

Yes - I might have been more generous of my own volition. but nobody really wants to stop a clock without proper cause, hence my asking the arbiter. In response to Roger I'd suggest a digital is actually far easier to stop, and is more likely to stay stopped than the mechanical clock, which might we...

I had in mind that it might be discretionary not mandatory, but I wasn't suggesting for one moment it was a clear cut situation. I would just rather not have a long game spoiled by the toilet needs of my opponent.

At the recent 4NCL weekend there were problems concerning the availability of toilets, and the distance from some of the playing area. My opponent in one round was in time trouble and crossed with me on my way back to the board. I had no real desire to gain time at his expense, so suggested to the a...

The British is some distance away and probably not the immediate priority of those busy volunteers charged with the arrangements for it, some of which are likely to be more pressing than the choice of commentator. Besides which this forum may be used by ECF officers, but isn't a formal route of comm...

Roger, your observations are sound, but I don't think they are appropriate to the chess standard of the original poster, or rather probably of limited relevance. He is not for the most part facing players who are well booked and is just seeking positions which are a little different to his normal se...

If your grade is below 120 the important thing may not be what you play, so much as you should play something, and try and stick to it. This is the flip side of change. Chopping and changing keeps things fresh, but doesn't lend itself to deep understanding. And too much time spent on openings may n...

I think the key here is 'imbalance' as Nick says and also not to be too hung up about grandmaster trends if you are playing in minor tournaments. Even at a slightly higher but still modest level I'm tempted by the Dutch because I want something playable and a game played a bit more on my terms. I've...