The minds behind gingergm.com thought that it was worth applying for the title of  ‘ECF website of the year’ award. http://www.englishchess.org.uk/?p=5588 but in the end it went to another site.

We had a quick discussion about this last night and came to the conclusion that if we ever won the award then we really should hold our heads in shame. (we not jealous, really we are not…)

Why don’t we want such a worthy title you may ask? Well for a start it means that we are not being edgy enough and I also suppose that we kind of enjoy being a bit outside of the norm here at gingergm.

In honour of this attitude the  ‘bottom board man’ sent me today’s lesson, which can be seen below…

Now before we move onto the lesson I just want to mention that at some point in the future we are going to start a discussion about the state of chess in England and about it’s sad, gradual, decline.

20 years or so ago, chess was booming in England, with top tournaments, top players and top prizes. The sad fact is that chess has only gone one way since then, downhill. Now who or what is to blame for this?

Maybe the ECF or some of the minds behind the ECF? (I know that some individuals have done a brilliant job but the federation have been in charge of English chess for the last 20 years).

The breakup of the USSR?

The ‘geeky’ reputation that chess holds to the general public?

What is the reason?

Anyway, more about this at another time. Let’s now move onto the ‘ Bottom board mans’ lesson of the day….

LESSON FOR TODAY 

Sometimes, we try  too hard to get to the greener grass.
In the process, we end up in  trouble…….. 
And when you find yourself in trouble and you’re stuck in a  situation that you can’t get out of, there is one thing you should 
always remember…….

Not everyone who shows  up……. 
Is there to help you!!!!