Search found 1906 matches

by Roger Lancaster
Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:47 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: The going rate
Replies: 2
Views: 422

Re: The going rate

Probably worthwhile adding that, to some extent, you get what you pay for. An event with decent prizes and a good (ample space, adequate lighting and heating, analysis room, etc) and easily accessible venue is likely to charge more than an event with lesser prizes and a sub-par but cheaper venue. Si...
by Roger Lancaster
Sun Mar 17, 2024 7:57 pm
Forum: Chess History
Topic: Bletchley Park female codebreakers
Replies: 11
Views: 693

Re: Bletchley Park female codebreakers

Passing over Bletchley Park for a moment, another Linkedin posting reads "When I was a Director of the British Chess Federation, the extent of date rape drugs for sex by English arbiters was heavily covered up". Anyone care to elucidate?
by Roger Lancaster
Sun Mar 17, 2024 2:32 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Clock Bangers
Replies: 45
Views: 3143

Re: Clock Bangers

I could be wrong, and if so I'm sure one of our expert arbiters will correct me, Recently I have been informed by the ECF that they wish to elevate my arbiter status to Level 2. I'm not sure if that constitutes being one of Michael Gove's experts (of which there are too many according to the Levell...
by Roger Lancaster
Sun Mar 17, 2024 6:59 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Clock Bangers
Replies: 45
Views: 3143

Re: Clock Bangers

I could be wrong, ..., but I don't think that "pressing the timer without making an actual move" constitutes an illegal move. You are! It is an illegal move. See 7.5.3 and 7.5.5 in the Laws of Chess Can you tell I've just done the first FIDE IA Seminar? I stand corrected. Am I right in believing th...
by Roger Lancaster
Sun Mar 17, 2024 12:21 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Clock Bangers
Replies: 45
Views: 3143

Re: Clock Bangers

I was in a tournament once, where the player opposite me punched his clock before moving his piece. I mentioned the incident to the captain, only to be told, get on with the game and stop moaning. You would be well within your rights to claim an illegal move penalty since pressing the timer without...
by Roger Lancaster
Sun Mar 17, 2024 12:15 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Counties and clubs
Replies: 55
Views: 3560

Re: Counties and clubs

John Upham wrote:
Tue Mar 12, 2024 10:57 pm
Roger Lancaster wrote:
Tue Mar 12, 2024 3:40 pm
don't even talk to me about Bishop's Stortford!
I'm curious to know your thoughts regarding Bishop's Stortford Roger.
It's very convenient if flying, John, being close to Stansted Airport.
by Roger Lancaster
Tue Mar 12, 2024 3:40 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Counties and clubs
Replies: 55
Views: 3560

Re: Counties and clubs

Watford has long played in the Hertfordshire League despite being in the south-west corner of the county, making cross-county journeys anything up to 40 miles, frequently (think rush-hour M25!) in busy traffic. With a 7.45 start, that typically works out at a 10.30 finish or thereabouts. On occasio...
by Roger Lancaster
Tue Mar 12, 2024 10:10 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Counties and clubs
Replies: 55
Views: 3560

Re: Counties and clubs

Watford has long played in the Hertfordshire League despite being in the south-west corner of the county, making cross-county journeys anything up to 40 miles, frequently (think rush-hour M25!) in busy traffic. With a 7.45 start, that typically works out at a 10.30 finish or thereabouts. On occasion...
by Roger Lancaster
Fri Mar 08, 2024 9:01 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Cheating in chess
Replies: 3034
Views: 344347

Re: Cheating in chess

The point has been made before, so I'll keep the post brief. If someone is a sophisticated online cheat (meaning that they get outside assistance only, say, two or three times in a game) then it's virtually impossible to determine this with anything approaching near-certainty because there's the alt...
by Roger Lancaster
Thu Mar 07, 2024 11:38 am
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: ECF Membership Reform
Replies: 150
Views: 13808

Re: ECF Membership Reform

Polite note to Roger Lancaster: David Lettington used the word "bargain". In reply to his contribution, you said: "Entirely agree". I searched my comments for the use of the word "bargain" attributed to me and didn't find it. While I accept the point made here by Mr Townsend, I continued by observi...
by Roger Lancaster
Wed Mar 06, 2024 5:51 pm
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: ECF Membership Reform
Replies: 150
Views: 13808

Re: ECF Membership Reform

Mr Valentine, The "diversion" arose because Messrs. Lettington and Lancaster spoke above about the £18 being a "bargain", and it is normal on the forum for views expressed to be challenged, if need be. What I said, as Mr Townsend knows or should know if he cared to read my comment, was that £18 mig...
by Roger Lancaster
Tue Mar 05, 2024 10:08 pm
Forum: Congress Diary
Topic: British Rapidplay 2024
Replies: 28
Views: 3717

Re: British Rapidplay 2024

I noticed that young players, quite often, still play on until they are mated. This really is rather tedious when they are playing in a serious event or indeed against me when it's hardly a serious event. Perhaps their coaches might explain this point to them. I'm one such coach. In principle, I ag...
by Roger Lancaster
Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:58 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: FIDE Centenary in the UK
Replies: 4
Views: 401

Re: FIDE Centenary in the UK

I would expect the FIDE NGB for England (the ECF) to take a lead in this anniversary celebration. I imagine that the ECF FIDE delegate is busy behind the scenes planning stuff. If everyone has the same expectation then no clubs are using this opportunity. Certainly none that has a member of this fo...
by Roger Lancaster
Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:47 pm
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: ECF Membership Reform
Replies: 150
Views: 13808

Re: ECF Membership Reform

Paul Cooksey wrote: "I don't think grading can be done much cheaper than around a pound a member. But I do think value for money is important in some other areas." I don't follow Paul's argument here. If all that league players get for their £18 is grading, then aren't they, in effect, paying about...
by Roger Lancaster
Tue Mar 05, 2024 2:54 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: accepting gambits
Replies: 35
Views: 2473

Re: accepting gambits

Case-by-case basis.