English Arbiters to suffer???

[Lara Barnes]

To Nigel Short
Of course I should have said that I did not send a personal invite, you were, of course, included in the general offer of conditions that I put on this forum and on the Championship Website. Most people contacted me asking what conditions were available.

If 'prejudice' is deciding something after being told 'facts and evidence' by several usually reliable organisers then I am guilty of that. I think we all have to pre-judge at times when doing a job.
My personal feelings towards your previous statements about me do not matter. I am organising our national Championships and will treat everyone professionally and as fairly as possible. I will, as I have always done, go out of my way at every opportunity to help others, build bridges and serve chessplayers of all levels.

[Carl Hibbard]

I suggest this post is allowed to stand. There is something to be said for honesty

It is understandable for Nigel to request a certain fee and then perhaps decline, Lara could perhaps ask him directly via PM but the additional comment I felt was un-called for, perhaps that was just me?

[Ernie Lazenby]

Carl I think the comment should be left for all to read. It does convey something of the problems that infect our game at national level.

[Alex McFarlane]

Michael Adams (ranked 19th in the world) has a higher market value than Aaron Summerscale (ranked 1717th )

In Britain, unfortunately, neither has a very high market value - judge by the number of potential sponsors fighting it out following last year's event.
Indeed my experience has been that a sponsor would rather have 12 GMs of lower status than one top 20 but still not in the top 5. I'm not saying this is correct but it is a fact of economical life.

[Andrew Zigmond]

I suggest this post is allowed to stand. There is something to be said for honesty

It is understandable for Nigel to request a certain fee and then perhaps decline, Lara could perhaps ask him directly via PM but the additional comment I felt was un-called for, perhaps that was just me?

I think it was un called for too - that's why I think it should stand.

[Carl Hibbard]

I think it was un called for too - that's why I think it should stand.

Fine, the rather petty comment will remain...

[JustinHorton]

Mind you, you could probably close the thread here without too much damage.

[Peter Sowray]

I had planned to play in the British this year but having read this thread I've changed my mind. I would not enjoy the poisonous atmosphere that will surround the event.

[Andrew Zigmond]

I had planned to play in the British this year but having read this thread I've changed my mind. I would not enjoy the poisonous atmosphere that will surround the event.

I think that's what a very tiny minority seem to want. Supporting the event, even as a spectator, and drawing on the positives of a festival celebrating chess in Britain is the best thing anybody can do.

[Lara Barnes]

Peter Sowray wrote "I would not enjoy the poisonous atmosphere that will surround the event."

Peter, If I have given this impression please tell me how, you are a valued and long standing player at the event and I would be very sad if you had been put off entering by something I have said or done. I have tried all year not to get involved in anything contentious but had to reply to the accusation by Mr Short that this years' event would be poor. I thought that I had done so in a professional matter but will withdraw anything you feel untoward.

[Ernie Lazenby]

That's sad Peter. The problem does go back to last year and the aftermath of the British but I doubt those who wish to spout poison will turn up at what will be a cracking event. Lara does not do unhappy events and she's doing it notwithstanding how her partner has been treated by some of the ECF board

[Nigel Short]

Lara Barnes initially wrote that I was probably the only GM that she didn't bother to invite for the reason I was too expensive. She now admits this is not the case at all, and there were plenty of other people she hadn't invited either - although a number of (presumably far lower-rated) GMs had contacted her asking for conditions. I suggest her initial remarks were nothing more than a cheap attempt to besmirch my character and that Mr Hibbard is totally misdirecting his complaint.

[Carl Hibbard]

As usual I will be supplying the ECF hosting for live games without charge

I am afraid however that I have retired from chess and will not be attending personally

[Carl Hibbard]

I suggest her initial remarks were nothing more than a cheap attempt to besmirch my character and that Mr Hibbard is totally misdirecting his complaint.

It is Carl by the way and you appear to be digging a bigger hole with this nonsense

[Ernie Lazenby]

Peter Sowray wrote "I would not enjoy the poisonous atmosphere that will surround the event."

Peter, If I have given this impression please tell me how, you are a valued and long standing player at the event and I would be very sad if you had been put off entering by something I have said or done. I have tried all year not to get involved in anything contentious but had to reply to the accusation by Mr Short that this years' event would be poor. I thought that I had done so in a professional matter but will withdraw anything you feel untoward.

You did reply in a professional manner so why offer to withdraw anything. It was Nigel who tried to put a down on your event by saying it would be a low key affair and that must be hard to swallow given all your hard work(and having a day job as well)