Search found 148 matches

by Hok Yin Stephen Chiu
Mon Feb 26, 2024 3:41 am
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: ECF meeting reports
Replies: 93
Views: 13714

Re: ECF meeting reports

The only observation I'd wish to make here is that John Reyes (whom I'd commend on his good work in this capacity) et al are elected as members' representatives rather than their delegates. It's maybe an old-fashioned distinction but representatives - an obvious case being Members of the House of C...
by Hok Yin Stephen Chiu
Mon Feb 26, 2024 3:36 am
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: ECF Membership Reform
Replies: 150
Views: 16412

Re: ECF Membership Reform

But, if the focus is on removing barriers within chess, then ensuring there is no cost difference between league and congress chess seems to be ideal Which would only be the case if you also merge Bronze with Gold at the same time. Apologies for delayed reply. But, my natural instinct is: yes I agr...
by Hok Yin Stephen Chiu
Sat Aug 12, 2023 8:44 pm
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: ECF Membership Reform
Replies: 150
Views: 16412

Re: ECF Membership Reform

The feedback I got as a Bronze members' rep was that Bronze members aren't interested in paying more to allow them to play in non-FIDE-rated tournaments. If they were, they'd be Silver members already. I think you are right in terms of your observations, however, is it possibly not a biased sample?...
by Hok Yin Stephen Chiu
Sat Aug 12, 2023 8:37 pm
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: ECF Membership Reform
Replies: 150
Views: 16412

Re: ECF Membership Reform

Dragoljub Sudar wrote:
Tue Aug 08, 2023 4:26 pm
The most sensible thing to do is merge Bronze and Silver and charge about £23
This is just objectively sensible.
by Hok Yin Stephen Chiu
Mon Jul 17, 2023 9:29 am
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: A National Rapidplay Club (OTB) Competition?
Replies: 8
Views: 752

A National Rapidplay Club (OTB) Competition?

I am not sure whether this is one for the ECF, the 4NCL, or the County Unions. But, was wondering among the (1) U18, and (2) 18-25, and (3) 26-39 demographic, whether actually playing in a regular competition* only really makes sense for people, who's primary (often sole) hobby is chess. Of course, ...
by Hok Yin Stephen Chiu
Mon Apr 24, 2023 3:06 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Too much dishonesty in chess
Replies: 73
Views: 9474

Re: Too much dishonesty in chess

Not to rain on this parade, but does any of this matter, as long as an organiser/arbiter does the pairings consistently, and the seed order from Round 1 to the final Round doesn't change?
by Hok Yin Stephen Chiu
Tue Feb 21, 2023 12:14 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Draw Claims - Is This Arbiter's Explanation Correct?
Replies: 15
Views: 2873

Re: Draw Claims - Is This Arbiter's Explanation Correct?

The arbiter was correct to reject the draw claim because the move hadn't been written down, but that does seem pretty clear confirmation that the player did not touch a piece "with the intention of moving or capturing" it, as required by Article 4.3. I wonder what he would have done if the move had...
by Hok Yin Stephen Chiu
Sun Feb 19, 2023 7:22 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Chess Entrepreneurs in England
Replies: 3
Views: 1541

Chess Entrepreneurs in England

Looking at the public accounts on Companies House, filed by 4NCL, UKCC, Chess in Schools and Communities, Chess and Bridge, among others, is it fair to say that Malcolm Pein, is the preminent chess entrepreneur in England? Are there any other chess initiatives in England that takes in as much income...
by Hok Yin Stephen Chiu
Sat Oct 22, 2022 8:16 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arbiting Question
Replies: 44
Views: 4308

Re: Arbiting Question

The players I have encountered who reply before I have pressed the clock do so from move one not in time pressure and I think the rules should be changed and this action treated as cheating. Whilst it may be a bit unsettling when someone moves before you press the clock to 'complete' your move, it ...
by Hok Yin Stephen Chiu
Mon Oct 17, 2022 12:32 pm
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: ECF AGM 2022
Replies: 278
Views: 22164

Re: ECF AGM 2022

It looks like we're having that debate again. Perhaps, but the motivation is different this time. There are now concerns ( somewhat belated, in my view ) that 1. The membership tiers may deter FIDE rated chess in this country and 2. This is a bad thing. To make a brief post-election foray onto the ...
by Hok Yin Stephen Chiu
Sun Oct 02, 2022 7:10 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: University Chess
Replies: 16
Views: 2269

Re: University Chess

They've grown a lot since my time; they even won an ECF award recently:
https://issuu.com/warwickchess/docs/war ... rt_2021_22
by Hok Yin Stephen Chiu
Sun Sep 18, 2022 2:45 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Arbiter Question
Replies: 77
Views: 9725

Re: Arbiter Question

Hi MJM, ..this site is going down the drains man, it really is. What makes you say that? My question is perfectly valid. Can a player ask if his DGT Board (live) be switched off (dead.) Nobody appears to know in spite of the place being infested with arbiters, controllers... I've either asked the q...
by Hok Yin Stephen Chiu
Mon Apr 18, 2022 10:43 pm
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: ECF Finance Council Meeting 23 April 2022
Replies: 78
Views: 13310

Re: ECF Finance Council Meeting 23 April 2022

The Manchester League has made ECF membership compulsory from the 2022/23 season before playing, with few exceptions, but we hadn't needed previously to consider that someone's membership might lapse mid-season Agreed - rolling memberships will face into issues like these. And, seems a pain to poli...
by Hok Yin Stephen Chiu
Sat Apr 16, 2022 9:14 pm
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: ECF Finance Council Meeting 23 April 2022
Replies: 78
Views: 13310

Re: ECF Finance Council Meeting 23 April 2022

I'm inclined to agree with Andrew that it seems a bit pointless to have unnecessarily strict requirements for the Membership Reps. At the end of the day, these membership categories need people to represent them well. The ability to represent members is not particularly altered, if a Rep, who is cur...
by Hok Yin Stephen Chiu
Wed Mar 09, 2022 2:33 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: ECF Bans Russians
Replies: 137
Views: 11132

Re: ECF Bans Russians

The ban by the Nordic countries did not apply to persons resident in the country or under the age of 18. The ECF could have adopted a similar approach, but have chosen not to do so. This is a very good point, and in my view, the ECF should not be applying blanket bans onto junior chess players. As ...