Interview with ECF President CJ de Mooi

[Matthew Turner]

I think the main thing we learnt from this interview is that CJ will not merely stand for re-election but will 'fight' for re-election. There was clearly an aim to refocus on what (I believe) CJ is good at
1. Talking about his passion for chess
2. Engaging with the grassroots (with vague talk about events outside of London)

However, there was also a very thinly veiled threat, support me and get support for the British in Torquay, Don't support me and don't. Roger Edwards is now challenging CJ in the election and it is difficult to tell how CJ's relaunch will play out with Council, but I suspect the election will be close.

[Andrew Zigmond]

I think the main thing we learnt from this interview is that CJ will not merely stand for re-election but will 'fight' for re-election. There was clearly an aim to refocus on what (I believe) CJ is good at
1. Talking about his passion for chess
2. Engaging with the grassroots (with vague talk about events outside of London)

However, there was also a very thinly veiled threat, support me and get support for the British in Torquay, Don't support me and don't. Roger Edwards is now challenging CJ in the election and it is difficult to tell how CJ's relaunch will play out with Council, but I suspect the election will be close.

Obviously it's good that CJ is `refocusing on what he's good at` but he needs to show a willingness to confront the controversies of the past year namely a) the unanswered questions following T shirt-gate and rebuilding a working relationship with those affected, b) the financial questions following Sheffield and c) the apparent secrecy over the CAS arbitration and the fallout from its failure. With a certain amount of diplomacy it's still not impossible to draw a line under these issues and move on but so far he has shown no interest in doing this.

[Angus French]

However, there was also a very thinly veiled threat, support me and get support for the British in Torquay, Don't support me and don't.

Here is some of what CJ said (from 29:20 onwards in the recording): "I’ve circulated details to the board members but I can’t say anything definite publicly yet but I do have some big intentions for the British Championships in 2013 ... that will be the centenary ... there are couple of dangers if I’m not re-elected ... my own money may be not wanted – so that’s something to discuss for the future because I possibly will have committed some of own funds ..."

[Geoff Chandler]

Hi Andrew Bak.

My erm...erm was a wee joke. It was obvious answer to the transcript request.

I've been in the live interview game, it's not easy my first efforts were awful.
(the rats made up a video of my howlers.)

The erm's will go. There are loads at the start when you are most likely
looking to see the if the equiptment is working, nervous, perhaps slightly in awe.
As it goes on you relax and there are not so many.

As a trail blazer it's good other sites will follow.

Don't try to be a Paxman or anyone you are not. Be you.
You have a brilliant broadcastable voice.
This lot wanted you to probe into the darkest corners of CJ's mind
but it was good of him to come forward and he did all the talking.
You did not have to pull answers of him.

I don't know if CJ told you not to ask any particuliar questions.
It was often an order I was given by the subject off air thus
throwing all my questions into the scrap heap. (erm...erm...erm...)

When you do other 'chess celebs' perhaps make them shorter.
45 minutes was too long (I never it heard it all) and to be perfectly honest
none, bar a very few, are that interesting to warrent 45 minutes.

[Ernie Lazenby]

There is something about the CJ interview that just does not seem quite right when compared to what he writes in his blog;

In his blog he says he is unemployed and cannot get an acting job.

He says he relies on friends buying him a meal.(his words) Has dificulty paying the monthly bills.(His words)
Wont do any favours unless he gets paid.(His words)
He has used up his meagre savings.(apparently)

Okay let me say that I have much sympathy for anyone in his current predicament, one that affects many people today, and one hopes he finds employment soon.

The problem is that someone in his position can hardly be expected to offer any financial help to the 2013 British Championship, indeed why would someone in such a dire state even think about trying to do so.

I am sorry but the interview given by CJ is a blatant plug to get re-elected and the one thing that stands out is the comment which can only be taken to mean; unless I get re-elected theres no money from me and maybe non from anywhere else. That is typical politician speak offering jam tomorrow to get elected. I said months ago it could happen and it has.

Now some folk will buy into this but one must hope Council does not. There is an alternative candidate, one who does not have the baggage that CJ De-Mooi has attracted in the last 12 months. He may turn up at the AGM and say sorry
for what has happened in the last 12 months but its way too late.

One must question why he is so keen to be involved in the 2013 British Championships as President?

BTW for the record I have read all of his blog and have much sympathy for what happened to him as a young man, should not happen to anyone and makes sad reading but thats another matter not one that concerns us.

[Ernie Lazenby]

BTW Genuine supporters of Chess dont feel the need to have a title to offer sponsorship, I and many like me do it because we want to help.

If Mr De-Mooi does indeed have the love of the game he says he has, and is able to russle up some pennies, then he ought to be willing to make the donation he says he is willing to do even if hes not re-elected.

I dont like 'elect me or get nothing' comments in whatever guise they come.

[Peter D Williams]

BTW Genuine supporters of Chess dont feel the need to have a title to offer sponsorship, I and many like me do it because we want to help.

If Mr De-Mooi does indeed have the love of the game he says he has, and is able to russle up some pennies, then he ought to be willing to make the donation he says he is willing to do even if hes not re-elected.

I dont like 'elect me or get nothing' comments in whatever guise they come.

I agree with Ernie who has giving a donation to junior chess and not boasted about it or wanted something in exchange for it.

[Ernie Lazenby]

Indeed, thanks Peter. I have sponsored several local events recently/previously and will be doing so in the coming months as well as giving substantial sponsorship(has been accepted) for a congress in 2013. I do it because I can, and because chess has been good to me during some black times I like to give something back while I am able. I ask nothing for it nor expect anything. Most players at these events have no idea I have backed the event financially and thats the way I like it.

Mr De-Mooi has been very keen as President to talk about the money he has put into chess out of his own pocket but talk is easy and its all a bit of a grey area. Why does he keep mentioning it- quite simple, because hes running out of support. Hes a typical image above substance individual.

[Jonathan Bryant]

There was clearly an aim to refocus on what (I believe) CJ is good at
1. Talking about his passion for chess
2. Engaging with the grassroots (with vague talk about events outside of London)

It seems to me that The President is considerably less good at number two when the grassroots start engaging with him.

[Andrew Bak]

Thanks all for the comments, both positive and negative!

Is a transcript of the interview available?

Sorry, no transcript available - I simply don't have the time. If anybody can else can bear listening to me in detail, I will happily publish it!

Hi Andrew Bak.

My erm...erm was a wee joke. It was obvious answer to the transcript request.

I've been in the live interview game, it's not easy my first efforts were awful.
(the rats made up a video of my howlers.)

The erm's will go. There are loads at the start when you are most likely
looking to see the if the equiptment is working, nervous, perhaps slightly in awe.
As it goes on you relax and there are not so many.

As a trail blazer it's good other sites will follow.

Don't try to be a Paxman or anyone you are not. Be you.
You have a brilliant broadcastable voice.
This lot wanted you to probe into the darkest corners of CJ's mind
but it was good of him to come forward and he did all the talking.
You did not have to pull answers of him.

I don't know if CJ told you not to ask any particuliar questions.
It was often an order I was given by the subject off air thus
throwing all my questions into the scrap heap. (erm...erm...erm...)

When you do other 'chess celebs' perhaps make them shorter.
45 minutes was too long (I never it heard it all) and to be perfectly honest
none, bar a very few, are that interesting to warrent 45 minutes.

Thanks for the advice. You say 45 minutes was too long - a few on here wanted it to be even longer . What I am happy with about the interview was that it was CJ talking for most of the 45 minutes, not the interviewer like you hear sometimes.

For the record the purpose of the interview was neither self-loving propaganda nor a Paxman-style grilling, I just thought it might be a good idea if the public could hear CJ's views on certain topics in English chess - which I hope I achieved.

I saw a list of people standing for election in October on this forum a little while ago - have any other changes been made to it apart from Roger's challenging CJ for the presidency?

[Jonathan Rogers]

Unless I missed something, all we saw a couple of weeks ago was the list of Board members wishing to run again. I don't think we know how many other non-Board members are standing.

[Ernie Lazenby]

Andrew I admire you for doing it and thus have not made any comment about the process.

one question I have, does the fact the interview was done indicate that your association fully supports CJ for re-election? Or is it simply you acting as an individual?
Thanks.

[Jonathan Rogers]

What I am happy with about the interview was that it was CJ talking for most of the 45 minutes, not the interviewer like you hear sometimes.

I can agree with that. Andrew, you should definitely do so more - I think that apart from anything else, you just picked the most difficult interviewee of all as your first assignment!

Incidentally did YCA approach CJ, or vice versa?

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Is a transcript of the interview available?

Sorry, no transcript available - I simply don't have the time. If anybody can else can bear listening to me in detail, I will happily publish it!

I hadn't realised it was 45 minutes. Edited highlights would be nice, but I've got the general gist already.

[Andrew Bak]

Unless I missed something, all we saw a couple of weeks ago was the list of Board members wishing to run again. I don't think we know how many other non-Board members are standing.

Yes, you're right - my bad.

What I am happy with about the interview was that it was CJ talking for most of the 45 minutes, not the interviewer like you hear sometimes.

I can agree with that. Andrew, you should definitely do so more - I think that apart from anything else, you just picked the most difficult interviewee of all as your first assignment!

Incidentally did YCA approach CJ, or vice versa?

Nothing like starting in the deep end! I asked CJ if he'd like to do an interview and he agreed