English Chess Forum

The British Chess Problem Society have issued the following statement:

Statement by the Committee on the Ukraine Crisis

"After the bulk of the March issue had been prepared for publication, U.K. problemists watched the Russian invasion of Ukraine with the same shock, horror and revulsion as countless others in the chess problem community. In consequence, the British Chess Problem Society, and the editorial team of The Problemist, will henceforth not publish problems or other contributions submitted by Russians. This policy will continue for the foreseeable future. These actions do not imply any criticism of individual Russian problemists."

As there have been varying responses to this on another thread, I thought that a poll might be in order.

I see no point in a poll in this place unless the view of the forum has any weight with the committee of the BCPS. However isn't the BCPS the body with the pic***y problem? If that hasn't been resolved it might be a more relevant matter to consider than a misplaced venture into geopolitics.

J T Melsom wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 09, 2022 4:58 pm

I see no point in a poll in this place unless the view of the forum has any weight with the committee of the BCPS. However isn't the BCPS the body with the pic***y problem? If that hasn't been resolved it might be a more relevant matter to consider than a misplaced venture into geopolitics.

As a member of the BCPS, I could potentially mention either or both matters at the next BCPS AGM. However, when I sought to clarify the earlier issue on here, I was subjected to unpleasant personal attacks as to my motives.

I hope that that won't happen regarding Ukraine, but time will tell.

David
You will do as you see fit on either issue, I doubt that others will sway you one way or the other. The BCPS stance on the Ukraine seems to serve no real purpose, but a poll in this place about that stance seems to afford the BCPS more prominence than they merit.

J T Melsom wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 09, 2022 6:02 pm

You will do as you see fit on either issue, I doubt that others will sway you one way or the other. The BCPS stance on the Ukraine seems to serve no real purpose, but a poll in this place about that stance seems to afford the BCPS more prominence than they merit.

I had hoped that criticism of the BCPS on this Forum would be sensible and responsible, and that I could usefully alert BCPS members to it.

I rather feared that I would be disillusioned, but I hadn't expected it to happen quite so quickly.

Nevertheless, I urge Forum members to respond to the poll. Contrary to what Jonathan Melsom believes, the magnitude and nature of the responses may well influence what further action I take, if any.

J T Melsom wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 09, 2022 6:02 pm

the BCPS more prominence than they merit.

Just how much prominence does the BCPS merit?

Are you able to quantify the correct level?

David Sedgwick wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 09, 2022 3:30 pm

... I thought that a poll might be in order.

David, if you want to post a poll on this or any subject you should do so.

I've not taken part though. I saw the statement on twitter yesterday or the day before (I forget - time is moving so fast these days) and realised I didn't know enough about the BCPS to form an opinion about what they said.

E.g. "... the British Chess Problem Society, and the editorial team of The Problemist, will henceforth not publish problems or other contributions submitted by Russians ...."

I didn't even know if the BCPS only publishes new material or whether the statement meant that they'd henceforth not be publishing historic material in the manner of that university in Italy that decided it wouldn't be teaching Dostoevsky for a bit*

So not knowing enough about the BCPS meant I didn't feel qualified to vote. It's not lack of interest though.




* although they subsequently changed their minds, I gather.

John - I'll reply to you substantively when you answer questions that I put to you in my posts.

David - your latest post says that the poll and comments 'may well influence further action if any'. That doesn't read like a commitment to do anything. You could simply commit to report the views and outcome of the poll.

I think three posts about an organisation of which I am not a member is probably enough for this time.

J T Melsom wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 09, 2022 6:38 pm

John - I'll reply to you when you answer questions that I put to you in my posts.

You just did so thanks.

John Upham wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 09, 2022 6:41 pm

J T Melsom wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 09, 2022 6:38 pm

John - I'll reply to you when you answer questions that I put to you in my posts.

You just did so thanks.

I've added the word 'substantively' to my original post after 'reply' for clarity.

Jonathan Bryant wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 09, 2022 6:37 pm

I've not taken part though. I saw the statement on twitter yesterday or the day before (I forget - time is moving so fast these days) and realised I didn't know enough about the BCPS to form an opinion about what they said.

E.g. "... the British Chess Problem Society, and the editorial team of The Problemist, will henceforth not publish problems or other contributions submitted by Russians ...."

I didn't even know if the BCPS only publishes new material or whether the statement meant that they'd henceforth not be publishing historic material in the manner of that university in Italy that decided it wouldn't be teaching Dostoevsky for a bit*

I think that the word "submitted" implies that the ban relates to new material.

'David, if you want to post a poll on this or any subject you should do so.'

I don't disagree - we do still live in a broadly liberal democracy. But then other posts are allowed to question the purpose behind the poll. And I'm still scratching my head at the idea that the outcome of a poll in this place would have much impact on an AGM of the BCPS, or in fairness too many other AGMs.

Back on topic I would be moderately interested as to whether the BCPS has stopped all transactions with Russians for example providing the magazine of the society to libraries and/or subscribers, or just limited action to receipt of new material.

David Sedgwick wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 09, 2022 3:30 pm

Statement by the Committee on the Ukraine Crisis

Do we know who they are?

The Officers as per the organisation website, although Brian Stephenson has already said he didn't have a vote, which suggests other officers may also not be on the committee.

President C. J. A. Jones
Past Presidents B. P. Barnes, N. Dennis, J. G. Grevatt, C. J. A. Jones, M. Lipton, C. C. Lytton, J. M. Rice, B. D. Stephenson, C. P. Sydenham
Vice-President I. R. Watson
Secretary C. J. A. Jones
Treasurer G. K. Hicks
Assistant Treasurer D. Friedgood
General Editor of The Problemist G. Foster
Solving Co-ordinator N. Dennis
Magazine Curator B. D. Stephenson
Webmaster B. D. Stephenson

I did my teaching stint at an international primary school this afternoon. They have as you might expect children of many nationalities, including some with Russian backgrounds.

I spoke at length to one teacher who comes from Belarus and has relatives in Ukraine. Everyone is of course all very troubled, but the good news is that at the school they have so far avoided any friction between the children.

I very much hope that, despite efforts by the likes of the BCPS to whip up ill feeling against loosely defined "Russians", the school will be successful in maintaining this vital collegiality. They understand that otherwise, everything they believe in is lost.