CJ resigns?

[John Swain]

Steve Giddins has just tweeted that CJ has resigned (unconfirmed) and also refers to this on his blog.

[David Pardoe]

If so, the timing is interesting...coming after the closing deadline for ECF candidate nominations...
Might there have been others who would have considered standing if they had known this...?
Certainly no shortage of `members` wanting to see him `go`, it would appear...and very few alternatives suggested to take his place....
But lets wait for an official statement...
Maybe a budding candidate CEO might now come forward...at some point, perhaps
Does anyone have any `names` to put into the frame....

[JustinHorton]

If so, the timing is interesting...coming after the closing deadline for ECF candidate nominations...

Also coming after the ECF had shelled out for a jolly, of course.

[John Swain]

Apologies to Ben Edgell who was faster off the mark than I was (see Director elections thread). I wasn't trying to steal his thunder!

[A Goodall]

I wonder what "job in the chess world" he has been offered? Assistant arbiter, Kasparov stunt double or Turkish equality & diversity director perhaps?

[benedgell]

Apologies to Ben Edgell who was faster off the mark than I was (see Director elections thread). I wasn't trying to steal his thunder!

No worries

[Gerard Killoran]

He can't have resigned. According to his latest tweet he's still fighting for English chess and our arbiters.

CJ de Mooi ‏@cjdemooi
Got 4 hours in the gym and 2 half hour steam room sessions booked for my last evening in Istanbul. Does it compare to your plans?

How does he do it? That ECF token was invested wisely.

[Lara Barnes]

CJ has spent a couple of hours at the General Assembly yesterday morning then no sign of him at the important issues such as the Arbiters ban or the Arbiters' licenses today.

Nigel Short has been speaking very eloquently about various issues, making good points and supporting our interests.

[Alex McFarlane]

I concur with Lara. Nigel has been good. De Mooi has been absent!

[Gerard Killoran]

Tried looking in the steam room?

Actually I wouldn't if I were you.

[Andrew Camp]

I guess some people like Turkish baths.

Get over it.

[Jonathan Rogers]

@cjdemooi CJ can you comment on reports you have resigned from the #ECF?

@pscooksey I have indeed (got a better offer I'm afraid)

I guess we've all noticed that CJ actually bullshits like RDK. "A better offer" indeed, as if the ECF were besieging him with some kind of offer to make him stay!

It seems to me quite likely that he must have gone to Turkey with some sort of opportunity in mind. Not, incidentally, that that would be such an unusual thing, even if the ECF were materially contributing to his expenses. I can think of numerous academics who went on sabbaticals (paid for by their employers) at other Universities, which they subsequently joined after the sabbatical was over.

Assuming CJ does not start to behave in the way threatened in his election "statement", I have no intention of mentioning him anymore. After today. Everything off my chest first.

[Carl Hibbard]

I presume lack of support for the election left little choice but a graceful exit?

[Roger de Coverly]

I presume lack of support for the election left little choice but a graceful exit?

Speculation is that Agon have made him an offer. That would enable him to promote chess without "ungrateful" Council members and bloggers complaining about not following expected reporting standards when handling ECF funds and initiatives.

(edit) Agon have been recruiting
http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news ... -director/
http://www.chessdom.com/gm-robert-fonta ... w-paulson/
(/edit)

[AustinElliott]

I presume lack of support for the election left little choice but a graceful exit?

Speculation is that Agon have made him an offer. That would enable him to promote chess without "ungrateful" Council members and bloggers complaining about not following expected reporting standards when handling ECF funds and initiatives.

(edit) Agon have been recruiting
http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news ... -director/
http://www.chessdom.com/gm-robert-fonta ... w-paulson/
(/edit)

I wondered if it was them.

Any thoughts as to a likely role? I'm thinking host of the online (and perhaps broadcast?) commentary box or in-tournament show / bulletins, in tandem with a GM or two. Or maybe also fronting an intermittent magazine show?

You'd imagine it would be some kind of front-of-camera job, given CJ's acting/TV background. And Agon's stated business model would seem to require a concerted effort to ramp up coverage of chess events via broadcast and online media.