I have asked the following question of the ECF but have yet to receive a response. Perhaps you can help? Apparently FIDE Arbiter (FA): A FIDE Arbiter is an arbiter who has earned at least 60 experience points and has been certified by FIDE. To become an International Arbiter (IA), an FA must earn at least 100 additional experience points, for a total of 160. How may one discover their accumulated total of arbiter experience points and track the value in time? Many thanks for your help. Statistics: Posted by John Upham — Wed May 01, 2024 10:12 am ..read more

https://www.amazon.co.uk/product-review ... filter-bar One review suggests that the main characters are real chessplayers, so some lucky reader might be able to identify them. One reviewer, called "Autumn Melody", says, "Same old crap repackaged. Buddy read this with a friend who loves chess. The actual games mentioned in this book have typos! The romance is ewwwwwwww." In fairness to the author, she is apparently a professional scientist, sells a lot of books, and more people loved the book than hated it. Statistics: Posted by Kevin Thurlow — Wed May 01, 2024 10:08 am ..read more

I checked the entry conditions for the Witney Rapidplay in September. https://www.witneychess.co.uk/witneyrapid24_t&cs.htm Entry appears to be a mere £ 10 until you read the small print in the "Terms and Conditions" which says There are additional pay to play fee £15.00 Open/£3.00 Junior Major for non-ECF members or Bronze-level ECF members. You can also read that in the large print which says: "Entry Fee: £10.00. Additional pay to play fee £15.00 Open/£3.00 Junior Major for non-ECF members or Bronze-level ECF members." Statistics: Posted by Ian Thompson — Wed May 01, 2024 10:01 am ..read more

but they wanted to play a local congress like manchester sumner chess congress it will now cost you £15 Extra on top of the entries fee due to play the game fee or you just upgraded your membership. some people just play the one congress, but also you have to make chess affordable I checked the entry conditions for the Witney Rapidplay in September. https://www.witneychess.co.uk/witneyrapid24_t&cs.htm Entry appears to be a mere £ 10 until you read the small print in the "Terms and Conditions" which says There are additional pay to play fee £15.00 Open/£3.00 Junior Major for non-ECF mem ..read more

There was a lively debate about the increased fees. Ultimately the votes against the proposed £2 increases for the new Gold and for Bronze did not get anywhere enough support. Council (propped-up by one to two, or three members of the Board) were however successful in reinstating one-year free Bronze Membership for juniors and £6 thereafter, with non-member game fee for juniors set at £6. That all seemed very sensible even though the vote 98-88 was close. One thing I don't think anyone has mentioned on this thread is that the articles of association were amended to allow the Board to app ..read more

There was a lively debate about the increased fees. Ultimately the votes against the proposed £2 increases for the new Gold and for Bronze did not get anywhere enough support. Council (propped-up by one to two, or three members of the Board) were however successful in reinstating one-year free Bronze Membership for juniors and £6 thereafter, with non-member game fee for juniors set at £6. That all seemed very sensible even though the vote 98-88 was close. One thing I don't think anyone has mentioned on this thread is that the articles of association were amended to allow the Board to apply ..read more

There was a lively debate about the increased fees. Ultimately the votes against the proposed £2 increases for the new Gold and for Bronze did not get anywhere enough support. Council (propped-up by one to two, or three members of the Board) were however successful in reinstating one-year free Bronze Membership for juniors and £6 thereafter, with non-member game fee for juniors set at £6. That all seemed very sensible even though the vote 98-88 was close. One thing I don't think anyone has mentioned on this thread is that the articles of association were amended to allow the Board to apply t ..read more

Arrest warrant for Kasparov issued. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-new ... s-32669346 Statistics: Posted by MJMcCready — Wed May 01, 2024 8:35 am ..read more

A particularly dumb-arsed example of using a chess analogy to be found here, concerning a particularly dumb-arsed bill currently before the NZ parliament, one of whose promoters happens to be called Bishop. (Sorry, you'll have to sit through an ad or two, then scroll to 1.53 on the item itself. But be quick; I don't know how long the link will remain live.) Statistics: Posted by John Clarke — Wed May 01, 2024 7:48 am ..read more

Report from Doncaster Congress rep Many thanks for posting the summary. In addition, I was unaware that both Southampton and Portsmouth received the £2500 grant and Havant £5000 for Chess in the Park and I don't think we have seen anything on this yet. But if anyone is aware of these in these locations..... As these don't include chess sets I am sure these can be supplied by Hampshire, Southampton or Portsmouth Chess Associations. Statistics: Posted by GrahamStuart — Wed May 01, 2024 7:13 am ..read more