British Chess Problem Society Statement Regarding Ukraine

[David Sedgwick]

The Officers as per the organisation website, although Brian Stephenson has already said he didn't have a vote, which suggests other officers may also not be on the committee.

President C. J. A. Jones
Past Presidents B. P. Barnes, N. Dennis, J. G. Grevatt, C. J. A. Jones, M. Lipton, C. C. Lytton, J. M. Rice, B. D. Stephenson, C. P. Sydenham
Vice-President I. R. Watson
Secretary C. J. A. Jones
Treasurer G. K. Hicks
Assistant Treasurer D. Friedgood
General Editor of The Problemist G. Foster
Solving Co-ordinator N. Dennis
Magazine Curator B. D. Stephenson
Webmaster B. D. Stephenson

The Past Presidents are not members of the Committee, unless they also hold another position. I am not sure whether that applies to any of the others.

For the avoidance of doubt, I said that, if so minded, I would raise the matter at the AGM, at which all paid up members can vote.

[David Sedgwick]

And I'm still scratching my head at the idea that the outcome of a poll in this place would have much impact on an AGM of the BCPS, or in fairness too many other AGMs.

It is unlikely that comments made in a thread would have much impact.

However, those who respond to polls are a larger and hence potentially more representative group. Their collective opinion might carry some weight.

[Chris Rice]

Past President Brian Stephenson on British Chess News comments on what looks like a bit of a meltdown at BCPS:

"The BCPS has today confirmed its ban on publishing compositions and articles by Russian and Belorussian contributors. The vote was 6 - 3 in favour of the ban. As a result of the ban we had already lost our editor and expect to lose one of our sub-editors. International comment by problemists around the world has been adverse. I haven't heard a single voice in favour, but I suppose those in favour won't bother commenting."

[NickFaulks]

The vote was 6 - 3 in favour of the ban.

6+3=9, which suggests that at least some of the Past Presidents with no other position are on the Committee.

[David Sedgwick]

Past President Brian Stephenson on British Chess News comments on what looks like a bit of a meltdown at BCPS:

"The BCPS has today confirmed its ban on publishing compositions and articles by Russian and Belorussian contributors. The vote was 6 - 3 in favour of the ban. As a result of the ban we had already lost our editor and expect to lose one of our sub-editors. International comment by problemists around the world has been adverse. I haven't heard a single voice in favour, but I suppose those in favour won't bother commenting."

Brian Stephenson's comments are on the BCN Facebook page, not on the BCN website itself.

The link is https://www.facebook.com/groups/britishchess.

[David Sedgwick]

Bump!

A reminder that the poll closes in four days.

[Joey Stewart]

I suspect everyone who still remains on the forum has voted by now

[Chris Goodall]

Yeah, split down the middle, is what our reactions are. If it suddenly swung decisively one way at this point, you shouldn't trust it.

[David Sedgwick]

The poll has closed with 13 supporting the BCPS statement, 14 opposing, 1 other and 1 don't know.

I won't be taking any action or making any further comment.

[J T Melsom]

'I won't be taking any action or making any further comment.'

Was there any outcome which might have prompted action other than a vote which decisively confirmed your own view?

[David Sedgwick]

'I won't be taking any action or making any further comment.'

Was there any outcome which might have prompted action other than a vote which decisively confirmed your own view?

Yes.

But you are very low down the list of people to whom I would wish to reveal:

a) what my view is and how I voted in the poll;

b) what outcomes might have prompted me to take any action;

c) what such action might have been.

I have no idea what I have ever done to you which has caused you to malign me at every conceivable opportunity, however spurious your complaint. But I am past caring.

[John Upham]

I have no idea what I have ever done to you which has caused you to malign me at every conceivable opportunity, however spurious your complaint. But I am past caring.

David,

JTM is one of a very select band on my "ignore list"

His posts appear thus

J T Melsom, who is currently on your ignore list, made this post.

To achieve this relief add the person to the "Foe" list and voilà, their nonsense is averted from your gaze!

[J T Melsom]

I've criticised David's posts not his character. His contribution to chess has largely gone without comment, but impressive though that may be, it doesn't exempt him from having his views challenged just like others who have contributed less.

John Upham likes people to raise matters with him in private message. This allows him to treat posters in a way which would otherwise be in breach of community standards.

[NickFaulks]

it doesn't exempt him from having his views challenged

Except in this case you don't know what they are, because he has not said.

[J T Melsom]

In this instance I don't know David's view, but my initial contribution to this thread questioned the purpose of the poll not views. David has accused me of maligning him at every opportunity which clearly goes beyond the one thread, hence my more general reply.