2011 AGM: October 15th

[Adam Raoof]

I'll wait for his election address before making a decision, particularly about his chess playing activity and why he wants to do the MD job but, as it stands, I would vote against his appointment - even if that meant another victory for 'none of the above."

I see your point, however I wouldn't care too much if the candidate played competitive chess at all, if I thought he could do the job!

[Sean Hewitt]

I see your point, however I wouldn't care too much if the candidate played competitive chess at all, if I thought he could do the job!

And normally neither would I. For example, I don't care that CJ does not play competitive chess.

However, when someone from a rival organisation pops along and offers to be the marketing director (the job that's supposed to raise a load of dosh for the ECF), and he doesn't play the game himself it makes the sceptic in me ask "Why is he doing that then?"

Of course, his election address may well answer that question perfectly satisfactorily and if it does I would vote for him. But the answer will need to be convincing.

[E Michael White]

According to wiki, chessboxing is a registered charity. So Mr Woolgar might bring much needed charitable sporting expertise or contacts to the ECF board.

[Adam Raoof]

I see your point, however I wouldn't care too much if the candidate played competitive chess at all, if I thought he could do the job!

And normally neither would I. For example, I don't care that CJ does not play competitive chess.

However, when someone from a rival organisation pops along and offers to be the marketing director (the job that's supposed to raise a load of dosh for the ECF), and he doesn't play the game himself it makes the sceptic in me ask "Why is he doing that then?"

Of course, his election address may well answer that question perfectly satisfactorily and if it does I would vote for him. But the answer will need to be convincing.

Yes, agreed.

CJ has been England's most prolific tournament competitor and though he doesn't play now, he did take part in last year's British Rapidplay Championships, though withdrew when it looked like he might have to award a prize to himself if he continued!

http://grading.bcfservices.org.uk/getre ... ef=170213A

[Alex Holowczak]

I see your point, however I wouldn't care too much if the candidate played competitive chess at all, if I thought he could do the job!

And normally neither would I. For example, I don't care that CJ does not play competitive chess.

However, when someone from a rival organisation pops along and offers to be the marketing director (the job that's supposed to raise a load of dosh for the ECF), and he doesn't play the game himself it makes the sceptic in me ask "Why is he doing that then?"

Of course, his election address may well answer that question perfectly satisfactorily and if it does I would vote for him. But the answer will need to be convincing.

Yes, agreed.

CJ has been England's most prolific tournament competitor and though he doesn't play now, he did take part in last year's British Rapidplay Championships, though withdrew when it looked like he might have to award a prize to himself if he continued!

http://grading.bcfservices.org.uk/getre ... ef=170213A

He has played some other graded chess recently, with much success.

[Roger de Coverly]

I'll wait for his election address before making a decision, particularly about his chess playing activity and why he wants to do the MD job but, as it stands, I would vote against his appointment - even if that meant another victory for 'none of the above."

I imagine we've all checked that he doesn't have any appearances in the grading list. He does however have the minor celebrity of an annotated game on ChessBase.

http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=6234

ChessBase are suggesting a strength of around 1600 which makes him 120 ish. Historically that's above the minimum playing standard for a place on the BCF or ECF board. They also infer that he started out as an adult beginner within the last couple of years.

[Mick Norris]

No, because as has been established before, there is no connection between playing strength, or number of games played, and competence for a particular position

[Roger de Coverly]

Not that one should pay any real attention to the opinions of the Streatham blog, but these are their thoughts of around a year and a bit ago.

http://streathambrixtonchess.blogspot.c ... upper.html

[Christopher Kreuzer]

I've just realised this AGM clashes with the 4NCL Rapidplay event (which I may be playing in). I imagine it is difficult to find a weekend that doesn't clash with something, but was this clash foreseen?

[Mike Truran]

It was foreseen, and it was difficult to find a weekend that didn't clash with something and, more importantly, had a suitable available venue. Given the punch-up and generally poor all-round behaviour that is likely to ensue, however, those who prefer a quieter and less entertaining time of it may want to attend the AGM.

[Mick Norris]

Mike

The MCF have invested £51 in a train ticket for me to attend the AGM

I suspect dinner afterwards with 2 friends from university will be a relief

Not sure getting home at midnight, if the train connection works, will be

[Alex Holowczak]

Mike

The MCF have invested £51 in a train ticket for me to attend the AGM

I suspect dinner afterwards with 2 friends from university will be a relief

Not sure getting home at midnight, if the train connection works, will be

I came to the same conclusion: It'd be awkward to get back on the Saturday night. So, my plan is to travel to London on Saturday morning. (I have to be there at 11am, unlike you slackers on Council who arrive at 1:30pm. ) On the return leg, I'm using Harben House as a pitstop, playing in the Rapidplay the day after, and then going home on the Sunday evening.

[John Philpott]

The list of the candidates for the elections has now appeared on the ECF website at http://www.englishchess.org.uk/wp-conte ... 11-AGM.pdf. Tim Woolgar is the sole candidate for Marketing Director, but there are two candidates for Junior Director: Phil Ehr and Sabrina Chevannes. The other eight incumbent Directors are standing for re-election unopposed, but there is no candidate for the post of Chairman of the Finance Committee which has been vacant since last year's AGM.

[Phil Neatherway]

How does the Finance Committee finction without a Chairman?

[Roger de Coverly]

, but there are two candidates for Junior Director: Phil Ehr and Sabrina Chevannes.

Sabrina is well known both as a player and coach.
The other candidate is unfamiliar.