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Unofficial Report on Executive Meeting 2009

Introduction

The meeting was held Wednesday 19 August 2009 at Claines Church Institute, Worcester. Peter Kitson, President was in the Chair. Fourteen members attended, but unfortunately there was no member from Halesowen because of a competing event. This report is unofficial and Maurice Bissell, the honorary General Secretary, keeps the formal record of the business of the meeting.

Reports from Officers

The President referred to the success of the Worcestershire Open Tournament and thanked Andy Moore and Andrew Farthing for their organisation of it. Andy Moore announced that he would run a second tournament next year. The honorary treasurer said there was no material change in the financial situation from that reported at the AGM.

Reports from Delegates

English Chess Federation. Ray Collett reported little change since the AGM
Midland Counties Chess Union. Andrew Farthing presented a written report following the AGM of the Union.The fee due from counties will receive a large rebate this year and the grading limits for the inter-county team competitions will fall into line with the recent changes at the ECF national stages. Julie Johnson (Leics) will control the inter-counties competitions; Andrew Farthing remains a Non-executive Director and is joined by a new face John Pakenham (Warks); Ray Collett remains Publicity Director and will also become webmaster.
Worcester & District League. Maurice reported that it was hoped to be able to hold the AGM and fixtures meeting on the third Wednesday in September subject to availability of the venue.

Correspondence Team Results

Jim Keene reported that Worcestershire had scored NN points coming XX in the Sinclair and Brown Pond competition. In the MCCU correspondence competition, Captain Tony West said Worcestershire had done slightly better. For results please click here. For next season three new players were required.

Junior Chess

Andy Moore reported. A Worcestershire Girls Team had competed for the first time. Although finishing behind established teams, Elizabeth Robinson had done well on board 1 and other players had gained experience. Worcester Junior Chess Academy would require some experienced players to help parents when he is unable to attend and he will have to withdraw from running the club in 2012. One possibility being considered is that a professional coach should be invited to run the club on some dates. Ray Collett presented a report on the Worcestershire Megafinal and simultaneous exhibition, which had made a small surplus.

County Teams

It was decided to enter three over-the-board county teams in the MCCU stages: the First team in the Minor Counties; a U-140 team (Captain, Giles Stanton); and 12 board U-120 side (Captain, Richard Turner). Ray Collett agreed to captain the First team now that Maurice Bissell has stepped down and Andy Moore offered to help out.

Worcestershire League

The AGM decision to continue to allow a second playing session if a game has not been completed after at least 3 hours play was confirmed as was the request that the League Controller should enforce the provision that incomplete games should be completed within 14 days of the first session if players are unable to agree a result or go to adjudication.

Hagley announced they did not wish to take promotion to Division 1. The composition of the two divisions was agreed:
Division 1: Halesowen 1, Kidderminster 1, Malvern, and Worcester City with teams playing home and away.
Division 2: Droitwich, Greenlands, Hagley, Halesowen 2, Headless Cross, Redditch, and Kidderminster 2 with teams playing one match only and last year's home fixtures being exchanged for away ones and teams tossing for colour at the start of a match.

Wheatley Knock-Out Cup

Laurence Wheatley presented the Trophy to Andy Moore, captain of the winning finalists of 2008-9 season Hagley. He reported that some sides had been slow to arrange fixtures and was hoping to refine the handicap rules so that there could not be a draw. Various suggestions on haw this might be achieved were offered and Laurence agreed to prepare revised rules and arrange to have them circulated to participating clubs so that players would be clear what score was required to win at the start of each match.

Fixtures Meeting

At the conclusion of other business, captains and secretaries arranged dates for League matches.