English chess is moribund

[NickFaulks]

But they used to choose English players regularly, it wasn't even that long ago. Why not now?

Brexit, probably.

[Chris Goodall]

I'd rather live in an irrelevant backwater than see even more money taxed out of the grassroots to bribe the elite into playing more chess. If they simply have better things to do between Christmas and New Year, it is, dare I say, parochial and insular to shove them on a plane for the sake of flying the English flag.

[IM Jack Rudd]

It wouldn't even be the best use of such money on its own terms; if we were hiring our elite players to play an event over the Christmas/New Year period, Hastings would deliver rather more benefits to our membership than the World Rapid/Blitz would.

[Clive Wismayer]

You guys haven’t a clue about the best use of money. Your penny-pinching attitude is widespread among the paupers who make up the chess playing English population. No one thinks big. Everyone is jealous that someone else might be favoured. These attitudes keep the game small & parochial, which is just what you want. The worst thing that could possibly happen would be the rise of an elite, charismatic, newsworthy player. Lucky for you, there’s little chance of that. Hastings is a joke.

ETA and I typed the last bit before looking at the pitiful lineup & the pathetic prize fund. Dear God, I thought I was supposed to be the troll around here. The world will not be agog to find out who wins this meaningless Swiss.

[Paul Cooksey]

You guys haven’t a clue about the best use of money.

Us guys Clive, us guys.

[Clive Wismayer]

Don’t include me, Paul. I’d tear the whole thing up & start again. You will keep trotting along to the ECF to say your piece on some mind-numbing irrelevance believing you’re making a difference. Or not caring whether you are or not. Pond life in a fetid backwater.

[Paul Cooksey]

The ECF regards this forum as a collection of people moaning. I'm not sure how you are differentiating from the rest of us Clive.

[Clive Wismayer]

The ECF regards this forum as a collection of people moaning. I'm not sure how you are differentiating from the rest of us Clive.

The ECF has no business forming such a view (assuming you represent them accurately). And trust me, I’m not one of you.

[Paul Cooksey]

And trust me, I’m not one of you.

with apologies for pointing out the obvious catch-22, you are posting here.

[Clive Wismayer]

And trust me, I’m not one of you.

with apologies for pointing out the obvious catch-22, you are posting here.

That’s not the gotcha you think it is.

[Paul Cooksey]

why not?

[Clive Wismayer]

Check the thread title.

[Paul Cooksey]

If the point is you started a thread intended to provoke other people, thinking that was innovative, I have rather bad news

[Clive Wismayer]

I’m devastated Paul. Thanks for putting me straight.

Why isn’t Shreyas Royale in New York? 15 & already a 2500 GM. The ECF should have found him a sponsor or paid for his trip itself. Great experience which would fire his enthusiasm & accelerate his development. If he were Dutch he would probably be playing in the Challengers at Wijk.

[Paul Cooksey]

No problem Clive.

I assume you are repeating my previous posts for emphasis.