The Object of the Club: "To foster friendship between members" 

Natcor News

 The Reg Gilman Continuous Tournament - New Controller Needed!

Known affectionately as the 'CT', this flagship tournament is the largest single event within the Club with over 70 players competing regularly. And it is in need of a new controller. If you are interested and would like to know more, please contact…This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Essentially you should have some computer literacy  and knowledge of spreadsheets and Excel. Any handover can be staged to suit you, and full support will be available . 

Proposed Rule Change On The Use of Chess Engines

Prompted by a query from a club member your committee has been discussing the issue of the use of chess engines in correspondence games. Currently we have this rule: 

8.    Players must decide moves for themselves. Seeking advice from another person or elsewhere (a computer chess-engine for example) is strictly forbidden. Printed or electronic works of reference may be consulted.

Straight away there is a contradiction between the first sentence and the second. How can you consult a book and decide the moves for yourself? Do we have Schrödinger's pawn living amongst us? Also, pretty much most if not all chess reference works are written using engines to some degree. If you use a book, you are pretty much breaking rule 8.  We also are aware that in ICCF rated events we are bound by ICCF rules which allow the use of engines. 
So, what do we do?

Your committee proposes to remove rule 8 completely as it is:

1.    A nonsense as written with two contradictory sentences.

2.    Contrary to ICCF rules on the use of engines.

3.    Unenforceable.

We recognise that we, as the elected committee, have the power to make this change without reference to you, the members. However, that is not how we like to do things. We believe all members have the right to a say in things, especially those as fundamental as this.  

Therefore, we propose the make this change UNLESS we receive a request for a postal ballot expressing a desire that we do not change the rules. The proposal must be submitted in accordance with the Club’s constitution, clause 11. Policy Motions. The Deadline for submitting a proposal in opposition to the Committee’s plan must be in the hands of the CLUB SECRETARY by 1^st November 2024

Individual players will always be able to make a “gentlemen’s agreement” not to use engines etc. in pairings as they so choose.

• 15 Sep - APA 123 update.
• 23 Sep - Chris Smith wins APA 119.
• 20 Sep - Tom Morris League Championship Final Tables
• 16 Sep - Latest RGCT table, results and pairings.
• 08 Sep - NBKO 175 semi-finals scheduled.
• 'The Life and Games of Smyslov' and many other books - reviewed by Adam Spencer.