Exactly - hopefully someone will bring this up at next month's ECF Finance MeetingArkell's golden result is a wake-up call to the English Chess Federation to rethink its international priorities and give proper backing to senior chess. Currently the ECF seriously backs only adult players in the men's Olympiad and European teams where England in the past decade have often finished as an underachieving also-ran.
European Individual Seniors (50+) Championship
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Re: European Individual Seniors (50+) Championship
Any postings on here represent my personal views
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Re: European Individual Seniors (50+) Championship
Great article by Leonard Barden.
Also it was very sporting of Keith to allow a local Portuguese player to win the blitz; always good for the host to get some reward.
Also it was very sporting of Keith to allow a local Portuguese player to win the blitz; always good for the host to get some reward.
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Re: European Individual Seniors (50+) Championship
Yes, another great article by Leonard. Set me thinking about other age-related competitions where we have achieved pioneering wins; Conquest first World U16 champion; Kumaran first champion of the World U12; Mestel first World Cadets champ (U18). Not to mention Elaine Saunders and that early version of the World Girls.
It does seem we make a habit of leading the way. All we need now is the secret of repeating the success!
It does seem we make a habit of leading the way. All we need now is the secret of repeating the success!
Re: European Individual Seniors (50+) Championship
See below for how Keith avoided Russian territory with 8... d4N!?Keith Arkell wrote:3 mins (+ 2 seconds increment) goes in no time when you're exhausted! Played a strong field and beat the 2 highest rated GMs, Sturua and Glek in nice games, but blew 2nd = by one bad move in a won position v Kalegin in the last round. I don't know if the games are up, but any normal move instead of the horrible ...f6 was surely winning. O well.
28... f6 may not be as bad as Keith thought after the game - it could be that until 31... Kh7 he was still better.
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Re: European Individual Seniors (50+) Championship
Talking of playing when exhausted it does seem rather cruel that subsequent to these heroic efforts Keith had to come straight back and play in the 4NCL this Sunday!
Re: European Individual Seniors (50+) Championship
How'd he do-dee?
Martin, no need to answer that on my account - unless you have more news to impart - I'll go and have a look for myself.
Martin, no need to answer that on my account - unless you have more news to impart - I'll go and have a look for myself.
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Re: European Individual Seniors (50+) Championship
I had a decent conversation with Phil Ehr at 4NCL this weekend about a variety of ECF- related issues, and Keith's result has definitely inspired more movement with regards funding for senior chess. I'm hopeful that will be reflected in the budgets at the Finance Council meeting. I also suggested the ECF should do something to recognise Keith's result (beyond the mention on the website). Wasn't able to think of anything specific at the time, but its not often that England has a European Chess Champion
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Re: European Individual Seniors (50+) Championship
Did we ever get the story behind the mass forfeits of top players in the second round of the >65?
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