Categories
Statement

Engaging Parliamentarians

Queens Park Chess Club has formally written to our two constituency representatives, Glasgow Central MP Alison Thewliss and Glasgow Southside MSP Nicola Sturgeon, to request clarity on a recent funding announcement, and encourage investment in grassroots chess in Scotland.

In correspondence signed by all five of the Club Committee elected at this month’s AGM, we asked whether there are plans for a forthcoming £0.5m investment by the UK Government to the English Chess Federation to extend to, or be proportionally matched, in Scotland.

Chess does not currently receive any public funding in Scotland. In the early 2000s, Chess Scotland received a small annual grant from the Scottish Government. In letters to our MP and MSP, we argued that chess is a low-cost, popular and accessible activity that helps people to come together, have an enjoyable experience, and get to know other local people from all walks of life. We stated that encouraging social chess in local communities aligns with many public policy priorities, including reducing social isolation, improving mental wellbeing, and strengthening community development, and presents strong value for public money.

We look forward to developing a relationship with both of our representatives on this matter. Alison Thewliss has already engaged with the Chess Club, having visited our chess drop-in event at the June 2023 Bungo in the Back Lanes Festival, pictured above and below.

We join Chess Scotland in encouraging our Members and visitors, and other Chess Clubs in Scotland, to consider writing to their local MP and MSP on this matter. Following an emergency meeting on 6 August, Chess Scotland advise those writing to their local politicians to: use your postcode; mention the English Chess Federation grant; ask about the scope for a similar investment in Scotland; and write an individual letter, rather than a duplicate, as MPs and MSPs do not engage with standard campaign letters.

Queens Park at Bungo in the Back Lanes: 17 June 2023
Categories
Events In The Park

Outdoor Chess in Queens Park – Extended!

A Busy Summer

A big thank you to all who joined us for outdoor chess in Queens Park, Glasgow, this summer.

On Sunday mornings throughout June, July and August, we brought people together initially by the flagpole, and latterly at the boating pond, for highly enjoyable casual games.

The ‘bring your own board’ tradition was started by Queens Park Chess Club co-founder Julien Papillon back in 2019, and current President Graeme McKinnon took the lead in promoting and attending the weekly meetups this year.

We generally benefited from good weather, although this being Glasgow, battles with the elements were not uncommon. More than once, we had to recover to the nearby coffee shops Glad Café and Spill the Beans.

Come rain or shine, however, each week has seen healthy numbers taking part, with up to 16 players engaging in simultaneous games, plus some curious spectators.

It has proven to be a highly effective forum for promoting the game in Glasgow and Scotland, by not only providing a convenient meeting place for local players of all ages and abilities, but in drawing in passers-by, beginners, and people from outside Glasgow, who heard about the sessions via social media and word of mouth.

Karthik and Caitlin are among the regular participants

Back by Popular Demand

The original intention was to conclude these park sessions at the end of August. Many of the regular participants have, however, confirmed a keen interest in continuing to meet into the Autumn.

Queens Park Chess Club is delighted to support the ongoing interest.

To that end, we will aim to ensure that one of our members will be present from 10am to 1pm on Sundays in September and October, to welcome people.

Please note that we can’t completely guarantee a presence from the Club on all dates – and as the weather is likely to become more unpredictable, we may have to move more frequently from the boating pond to a nearby coffee shop.

We therefore recommend that those intending to join a future session, follow updates on our dedicated ‘Chess in the Park’ WhatsApp group.

We anticipate the outdoor sessions will conclude when the clocks go back at the end of October.

A WhatsApp group is used to advise of alternative locations in bad weather

Join the WhatsApp Group

The WhatsApp group provides a channel for regular participants to connect and check arrangements for meeting at the boating pond picnic benches on Sunday mornings, or in the event of bad weather, a cosy local Café.

If you would like to be added to the ‘Chess in the Park’ WhatsApp group, please send a note of your mobile number to Graeme at president@queensparkchessclub.com or Derek at secretary@queensparkchessclub.com.

The Strathbungo Society Newsletter highlighted the park meetups

Graeme and Derek are more than happy to answer any queries from those looking to take part in future.

Meantime, weekly indoor Queens Park Chess Club meetings will resume on Tuesday 30 August.

Categories
Events

Scottish National Online Chess League: R1, R2 Teams

Overview

Govanhill’s first foray into national competition starts this weekend with two matches in Division Four of the Scottish National Online Chess League, or SNOCL.

SNOCL was created by the Scottish Online Chess Organisation in 2021 to provide a new channel for inter-club competition while over-the-board leagues are suspended.

The second iteration of SNOCL takes place over January to March 2022, with Govanhill being one of 18 clubs around Scotland taking part. All matches will be played on chess.com at the rapid time control of 25+10.

Selection

Govanhill’s teams for rounds one and two are:

SNOCL Division Four

Round 1 – East Kilbride vs Govanhill (11am, Sun 30 Jan)

  • Board 1: Graeme McKinnon [white]
  • Board 2: Harvey Dellanzo [black]
  • Board 3: Derek Rankine (captain) [white]
  • Board 4: Niall McCamley [black]
  • Board 5: Jass McNeill [white]

Round 2 – Govanhill vs Lenzie 2 (2pm, Sun 30 Jan)

  • Board 1: Rhys McCrosson [black]
  • Board 2: Harvey Dellanzo [white]
  • Board 3: Julien Papillon (captain) [black]
  • Board 4: Jonny Stark [white]
  • Board 5: Libor Masar [black]

Results

Results and league standings will be made available on the Scottish Online Chess Organisation Website.

All individual games will also be graded and published by Chess Scotland.