World Youth Championships

[Roger de Coverly]

Tim Spanton's blog continues to attract comments.

https://beauchess.blogspot.com/2019/10/blitzed.html

I thought the Telford case in 2018 established that FIDE aren't interested in what goes on in English domestic events, regarding that as the responsibility of the ECF.

[Matt Mackenzie]

How many sock puppets does "Natasha" have, I wonder......

[JustinHorton]

She wears a lot of hats

[Richard Bates]

How many sock puppets does "Natasha" have, I wonder......

She seems to be setting him up to get a lot worse (in results terms) quite quickly, once his opponents discover his weaknesses and become better at exploiting them.

[Leonard Barden]

The interesting question is: will the ECF take any action when the January grading list emerges in the next few days with Declan Lovelock at or near the top of the U17 or U16 list? Other leading players in that age group and their parents may also want answers.

I know that Alex previously wrote on this thread that it didn't affect junior selection because that was based on Fide ratings for older ages, but that answer really sidestepped the issue and I think there is an important general principle involved.

Up till now DL has only had a local 195 rating from Dorset, but now it will be a national grading number with the prima facie implication that the ECF accepts it as valid.

Is the intention to wait until the Dorset rapidplay in mid-March, six weeks away, when, with a £200 first prize, one or more opponents might well request a search or even refuse to play at all if the organisers themselves do not initiate any action?

Or does the ECF have a contingency plan for earlier action such as the previous suggestion here by respected GMs Arkell and Gormally of an expert investigation including a meeting with the player?

If the matter becomes high profile, it could mean negative publicity for the ECF and chess as well as any effect on the player himself and his future career.

I am not asking for any plans to be spelt out now on this forum, just asking if the junior director and others who could be involved realise that when an official published ECF grade appears the situation changes, becomes more urgent and will invite some action.

[Nick Grey]

There's me thinking whether an issue with the young person's GCSE's as well.
it will be interesting how the ECF handles this. Thanks Leonard

[LawrenceCooper]

The interesting question is: will the ECF take any action when the January grading list emerges in the next few days with Declan Lovelock at or near the top of the U17 or U16 list? Other leading players in that age group and their parents may also want answers.

I know that Alex previously wrote on this thread that it didn't affect junior selection because that was based on Fide ratings for older ages, but that answer really sidestepped the issue and I think there is an important general principle involved.

Up till now DL has only had a local 195 rating from Dorset, but now it will be a national grading number with the prima facie implication that the ECF accepts it as valid.

Is the intention to wait until the Dorset rapidplay in mid-March, six weeks away, when, with a £200 first prize, one or more opponents might well request a search or even refuse to play at all if the organisers themselves do not initiate any action?

Or does the ECF have a contingency plan for earlier action such as the previous suggestion here by respected GMs Arkell and Gormally of an expert investigation including a meeting with the player?

If the matter becomes high profile, it could mean negative publicity for the ECF and chess as well as any effect on the player himself and his future career.

I am not asking for any plans to be spelt out now on this forum, just asking if the junior director and others who could be involved realise that when an official published ECF grade appears the situation changes, becomes more urgent and will invite some action.

He is now registered to play in the 4NCL: http://www.4nclresults.co.uk/2019-20/me ... t.html#wes

Wessex
Number Player Title Jnr. Nat. DM cat DM num ECF FIDE Grade Other Current 4NCL Restrict
1 Lovelock, Declan ENG JS ME021505 327319C 491691 2200

[Leonard Barden]

He is now registered to play in the 4NCL: http://www.4nclresults.co.uk/2019-20/me ... t.html#wes

Wessex
Number Player Title Jnr. Nat. DM cat DM num ECF FIDE Grade Other Current 4NCL Restrict
1 Lovelock, Declan ENG JS ME021505 327319C 491691 2200

That registration was already present before the last series of 4NCL matches, including the yellow highlighting which signifies an ECF membership query (although the Dorset players list has him as a silver member). I recall looking at the Wessex results that weekend to see if he had put in an appearance, which would have been interesting.
Meanwhile, the comments on Tim Spanton's blog have become increasingly bizarre.

[Roger de Coverly]

That registration was already present before the last series of 4NCL matches, including the yellow highlighting which signifies an ECF membership query (although the Dorset players list has him as a silver member).

The 4NCL rules as required by the ECF demand that ENG players be Gold members.

[LawrenceCooper]

That registration was already present before the last series of 4NCL matches, including the yellow highlighting which signifies an ECF membership query (although the Dorset players list has him as a silver member).

The 4NCL rules as required by the ECF demand that ENG players be Gold members.

Yes, I'm aware of that.

I wasn't aware that the registration was an old one though.

[Nick Burrows]

Meanwhile, the comments on Tim Spanton's blog have become increasingly bizarre.

It is very obviously teenage boys behind the comments.

Now how many teenage boys (other than the subject and his friends) would a) know how to find a comments section on an obscure (sorry Tim!) chess blog. b) would have any interest at all in doing so.

[John Upham]

Meanwhile, the comments on Tim Spanton's blog have become increasingly bizarre.

It is very obviously teenage boys behind the comments.

Now how many teenage boys (other than the subject and his friends) would a) know how to find a comments section on an obscure (sorry Tim!) chess blog. b) would have any interest at all in doing so.

Reading the semi-literate comments from "Natasha" and friends seems to suggest this I would agree.

I hope to attend the Dorset event in person.

[Kevin Thurlow]

"Meanwhile, the comments on Tim Spanton's blog have become increasingly bizarre."

Yes - all those posters having similar writing "styles" as well.

I recall an American forum where many "different" posters were applauding Paul Truong ( a much-loved and respected character in USA), and some humorist posted, "Why are you talking to yourself, Paul?" This was followed by an insane flurry of loads of different posters praising Paul.

[Nick Burrows]

If he wins, i make that a hat-trick of wins in Dorset.

[John Moore]

I rather wondered why Natasha, the FIDE insider, would be posting all of this nonsense on Tim's blog when Declan has yet to play a FIDE rated game. So why would FIDE be interested?