Search found 1295 matches

by J T Melsom
Fri Nov 03, 2023 1:32 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Chess in the community: library chess
Replies: 19
Views: 4659

Re: Chess in the community: library chess

You are obviously free to express an opinion, but personally I'd seek a proper understanding before voicing a criticism of this type. The post suggests CSC are responsible for the end of library chess in Bracknell. I find that unlikely. I have no issue with supporting the case for library chess, but...
by J T Melsom
Fri Nov 03, 2023 12:11 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Chess in the community: library chess
Replies: 19
Views: 4659

Re: Chess in the community: library chess

John I just felt that without a bit more context it was difficult to comment in an informed way. It would not be unreasonable for a sponsor organisation to review funding priorities, or to have agreed a time limited support. Your post criticises CSC even though you admit to not knowing what the arra...
by J T Melsom
Thu Nov 02, 2023 5:38 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Chess in the community: library chess
Replies: 19
Views: 4659

Re: Chess in the community: library chess

John

What does the sponsorship consist of as far as Bracknell is concerned ? I'm aware of library initiatives in Bucks, but don't think they are sponsored by CSC.
by J T Melsom
Thu Nov 02, 2023 4:55 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Media comments on chess
Replies: 5977
Views: 741538

Re: Media comments on chess

William McIlvanney: Chapter 8 Strange Loyalties I had been like a man in a real war who finds relief in playing chess. Ian McEwan's protagonist in Sweet Tooth plays chess and captains the school team. ''You must exercise some historical imagination to understand what it meant for a girl in those tim...
by J T Melsom
Thu Nov 02, 2023 4:41 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Media comments on chess
Replies: 5977
Views: 741538

Re: Media comments on chess

Past Lying by Val McDermid. Edinburgh DCI Karen Pirie of the Historic Cases Unit takes on a fiendishly difficult assignment made even harder by the exigencies of the Covid-19 lockdown. Now that Hamish Mackenzie, her coffee chain–owning boyfriend, is off in the Highlands, Karen’s settled into his hom...
by J T Melsom
Mon Sep 11, 2023 5:39 pm
Forum: Rating Debate
Topic: Data Quality
Replies: 8
Views: 817

Re: Data Quality

I play in a county where colours are not recorded Are you referring to the Chiltern League by any chance? No. I don't regularly play in the Chiltern League but the site which hosts those results does record colours. It hosts data from a number of competitions and I suspect that if the larger of tho...
by J T Melsom
Mon Sep 11, 2023 3:49 pm
Forum: Rating Debate
Topic: Data Quality
Replies: 8
Views: 817

Re: Data Quality

I play in a county where colours are not recorded, save by one team captain putting the information on his version of the match report. I'm not aware that the issue has been raised formally with the league administrator. It may not be difficult to achieve, but unless the question is put...
by J T Melsom
Sat Sep 09, 2023 1:56 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Accusation against Alejandro Ramirez
Replies: 509
Views: 46981

Re: Accusation against Alejandro Ramirez

Ian, Sabrina is writing about serious issues and profoundly unpleasant experiences. Her posts are not wildly inaccurate, and any exaggeration is understandable behaviour in the context of what she has endured. I understand that in some instances it is important to correct things, but I'm not sure th...
by J T Melsom
Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:44 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Annoying time wasting
Replies: 73
Views: 6436

Re: Annoying time wasting

I'm interested in knowing about historic figures (chess or otherwise) with an honest account of their achievements and failings. The problem with this thread is that those in the know aren't sharing information, so we have a negative image of Walter Browne being ascribed (and disputed) but an absenc...
by J T Melsom
Thu Aug 24, 2023 3:12 pm
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: ECF Membership Reform
Replies: 150
Views: 16372

Re: ECF Membership Reform

Ian, The question may be one of affordability, if the hobby is additional to existing activity and the venue charges are also rising. If the government plan to put chess tables into parks in areas eligible for levelling up funding increases visibility and interest, then that won't necessarily be fro...
by J T Melsom
Thu Aug 24, 2023 1:21 pm
Forum: ECF Matters
Topic: ECF Membership Reform
Replies: 150
Views: 16372

Re: ECF Membership Reform

It can also be difficult for a bronze member to play more chess, so the costs of annual membership of a club and the national body in combination are more akin to a match fee, than other member categories.
by J T Melsom
Thu Aug 17, 2023 7:29 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Media comments on chess
Replies: 5977
Views: 741538

Re: Media comments on chess

Ruy Lopez is a regular poster on a Wycombe football forum.
by J T Melsom
Tue Aug 15, 2023 12:38 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Accusation against Alejandro Ramirez
Replies: 509
Views: 46981

Re: Accusation against Alejandro Ramirez

Can I suggest posters resist further comment until the thread has been moderated? Recent posts are doing little more than compounding the problem and giving Carl more work. (Obviously happy for this post to be deleted as part of the process).
by J T Melsom
Wed Aug 02, 2023 8:49 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Government funding for chess
Replies: 46
Views: 4412

Re: Government funding for chess

If the government has money to spare (and for the most part it is our money) then it is good that it is spent on chess rather than say opera. Chess wins on inclusiveness.
by J T Melsom
Thu Mar 23, 2023 8:08 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: London Chess Conference 2023
Replies: 9
Views: 1431

Re: London Chess Conference 2023

John Upham suggests that Shohreh Bayat was the sole ECF representative, but includes in his list Aga Milewska who is also an ECF Director.