English chess is moribund

[Chris Fegan]

I cannot remember the last time that I posted on this Forum but I have made an “exception to my own rule” to do so as I wish to endorse the earlier post by Richard Bates

[Paul Cooksey]

I cannot remember the last time that I posted on this Forum but I have made an “exception to my own rule” to do so as I wish to endorse the earlier post by Richard Bates

Everyone knows that drive-by foruming annoys me. Certainly more than trolling. So I'd just like to take the opportunity to condemn Chris' post.

Clive, as everyone knows, is trying to make outrageous points. The idea that mild criticism of a strong junior player on a chess forum crosses a moral line is silly. If Shreyas is on this forum he should ignore it and an authority figure should tell him to go and prepare for tomorrow.

[John Upham]

Unfortunately it is toxic threads such as this one that enable ECF officials to castigate this place.

In turn this justifies keeping the ECF D-notice in place. David Welch would be saying "I told you so" many times.

The reality is that this place, on the whole, provides benefits to the English chess and wider communities that outweigh the poisonous nonsense that I have largely ignored.

[Clive Wismayer]

Why do the opinions of ECF officials matter? I mean, who cares? ‘Poisonous’ is a bit strong imho. Verging on hysterical, actually.

[Chris Fegan]

I cannot remember the last time that I posted on this Forum but I have made an “exception to my own rule” to do so as I wish to endorse the earlier post by Richard Bates

Everyone knows that drive-by foruming annoys me. Certainly more than trolling. So I'd just like to take the opportunity to condemn Chris' post.

Clive, as everyone knows, is trying to make outrageous points. The idea that mild criticism of a strong junior player on a chess forum crosses a moral line is silly. If Shreyas is on this forum he should ignore it and an authority figure should tell him to go and prepare for tomorrow.

Well Paul that should keep me away for another 2/3 years-better than garlic.

[Paul Cooksey]

Happy New Year now for 2025 and 2026 in that case Chris.

Happy New Year to John too. But naïve John, naïve.

[Kevin Thurlow]

"Unfortunately it is toxic threads such as this one that enable ECF officials to castigate this place."

But they study it closely. Why else would they frequently publish quotes from this place in "ChessMoves"? They always acknowledge the source, which is good.

[Joey Stewart]

"Unfortunately it is toxic threads such as this one that enable ECF officials to castigate this place."

But they study it closely. Why else would they frequently publish quotes from this place in "ChessMoves"? They always acknowledge the source, which is good.

There are not really any other ways to gauge the thoughts of the English chess community then this forum, even though it tends to be driven by a niche set of individuals the alternative is the apathetic silence of the majority of players or a few random posts from individuals on social media.

[John Upham]

I cannot remember the last time that I posted on this Forum but I have made an “exception to my own rule” to do so as I wish to endorse the earlier post by Richard Bates

Welcome back Chris.

Your last post (wait for it, wait for it) was

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=12113&p=272907#p272907

from October 2nd 2021.

[Roger Lancaster]

I cannot remember the last time that I posted on this Forum but I have made an “exception to my own rule” to do so as I wish to endorse the earlier post by Richard Bates

Everyone knows that drive-by foruming annoys me. Certainly more than trolling. So I'd just like to take the opportunity to condemn Chris' post.

Clive, as everyone knows, is trying to make outrageous points. The idea that mild criticism of a strong junior player on a chess forum crosses a moral line is silly. If Shreyas is on this forum he should ignore it and an authority figure should tell him to go and prepare for tomorrow.

The problem with Clive making his "outrageous points" is that any casual chess player, stumbling across this forum, might consider those points are valid. Just the heading, "English chess is moribund", might reasonably be interpreted as a statement of fact rather than the opinions of one individual (I'll be charitable and assume these are genuinely-held opinions and not straightforward mischief-making) with a somewhat tenuous connection to English chess. As to Clive telling Shreyas what he should do, it's really none of his business, any more than my telling Clive what I think he should do.

[Stephen Westmoreland]

It reminds me of some of the posts by a certain Mark H. A lighter version.

[Chris Goodall]

The Netherlands can offer elite competition to its promising players

No, it can offer the Wijk Masters, but it chooses not to. The Wijk Challengers is just another GM tournament. The Wijk Masters doesn't hand out wildcards to promising Netherlanders, or to anyone. Warmerdam last year was the first Dutch invitee other than Giri and van Foreest for seven years, and was someone the organisers knew they could kick into the Challengers if Carlsen changed his mind about participating.

For someone who thinks meaningful, non-fetid chess starts at 2700, you don't know very much about it.

[Paul Cooksey]

The problem with Clive making his "outrageous points" is that any casual chess player, stumbling across this forum, might consider those points are valid. Just the heading, "English chess is moribund", might reasonably be interpreted as a statement of fact rather than the opinions of one individual (I'll be charitable and assume these are genuinely-held opinions and not straightforward mischief-making) with a somewhat tenuous connection to English chess. As to Clive telling Shreyas what he should do, it's really none of his business, any more than my telling Clive what I think he should do.

In fairness to Clive, it was me who told Shreyas what he should do. Shreyas should treat my opinions on his chess every bit as seriously as Pep Guardiola should treat my opinions on how to sort out Man City's midfield.

I'm a bit unconvinced someone could stubble across this forum without some basic knowledge about information on the internet.

[AustinElliott]

[duplicate post deleted]

[AustinElliott]

I'm a bit unconvinced someone could stubble across this forum without some basic knowledge about information on the internet.

Talking of which... If I search 'English Chess Forum' using Bing I get this:

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