Discuss anything you like about chess related matters in this forum.
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Sarah Longson
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2016 8:51 am
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by Sarah Longson » Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:46 am
Over the summer I was saddened to hear that the future of the UK Schools Chess Challenge, the world's largest chess competition, was in doubt. The UK Schools Chess Challenge is very close to my heart . Indeed, way back in 1996 it was the first major tournament that I won. This opened some incredible doors, playing chess on Blue Peter and meeting the world champion, Garry Kasparov. I subsequently went on to win the UK Schools chess challenge eight times. My early involvement in schools chess was certainly the catalyst to going on and winning the British Ladies title 2013 and representing the English ladies team at the world chess Olympiads. Today I am a lawyer. However, since last year I have been 'full time' on chess teaching and playing in various competitions home and abroad.
I am delighted that my bid to take over the UK Schools Chess Challenge has been accepted. I am supported by my husband Alex Longson, a strong chess player and also a chartered accountant. We hope our professional backgrounds will add credence as the competition enters a new phase. I hope the UK Schools Chess Challenge continues to inspire and opens up new horizons. I also hope it continues to vaunt the belief that 'mental challenge and competition' is the 'equal of the sports field'. We met with Mike Basman and Pat Armstrong last weekend to discuss plans and they are happy to work with us to make this tournament a success.
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Adam Raoof
- Posts: 2720
- Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2008 4:16 pm
- Location: NW4 4UY
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by Adam Raoof » Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:51 am
"like"
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Andrew Zigmond
- Posts: 2074
- Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2011 9:23 pm
- Location: Harrogate
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by Andrew Zigmond » Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:51 am
Sarah, may I be the first to wish you and Alex every success.
Controller - Yorkshire League
Chairman - Harrogate Chess Club
All views expressed entirely my own
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Mike Truran
- Posts: 2393
- Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:44 pm
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by Mike Truran » Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:52 am
Andrew
You were (at best) the second.
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Christopher Kreuzer
- Posts: 8820
- Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2010 2:34 am
- Location: London
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by Christopher Kreuzer » Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:57 am
Bonus points for using the word "vaunt".
Seriously, congratulations on winning the bid and best of luck with taking UKCC forward into a new era.
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Mark Jordan
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Fri Jan 29, 2016 3:34 am
- Location: Forest Hill
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by Mark Jordan » Wed Oct 26, 2016 12:24 pm
Well done Sarah and Alex!
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Paul Dargan
- Posts: 526
- Joined: Sun May 13, 2007 11:23 pm
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by Paul Dargan » Wed Oct 26, 2016 12:37 pm
Good news for all our young chess players
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Michael Flatt
- Posts: 1235
- Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2013 7:36 am
- Location: Hertfordshire
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by Michael Flatt » Wed Oct 26, 2016 1:43 pm
Congratulations. This is really good news.
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Alan Kennedy
- Posts: 194
- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 6:33 am
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by Alan Kennedy » Wed Oct 26, 2016 2:36 pm
well done hope it goes well.
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Michael Farthing
- Posts: 2069
- Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 1:28 pm
- Location: Morecambe, Europe
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by Michael Farthing » Wed Oct 26, 2016 4:42 pm
Great news. Good luck!
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Peter Turner
- Posts: 393
- Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:57 pm
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by Peter Turner » Wed Oct 26, 2016 5:44 pm
A very welcome surprise, great news. All the best.
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Kevin Thurlow
- Posts: 5833
- Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:28 pm
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by Kevin Thurlow » Thu Oct 27, 2016 4:35 pm
Very good news - Good luck. Apart from the chess expertise, an accountant and lawyer seem an ideal team.
I am delighted that Mike will still be involved.
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Steven DuCharme
- Posts: 275
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2014 11:51 pm
- Location: West Bend,WI USA
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by Steven DuCharme » Sat Oct 29, 2016 1:53 am
On behalf of all chess lovers outside the UK I say hip hip hooray!
I float like a pawn island and sting like an ignored knight
