Introducing The Board Room
02.25.10 We are pleased to announce The Board Room, our newest link on ChessMaine.net. The Board Room will provide a forum for members of the Maine Chess Association's Board of Directors and Policy Board to communicate with the ChessMaine.net community. We encourage statements and announcements from both boards and look forward to reader comments. Our first entry in The Board Room is from MECA President Andy Bryan's blog.
Welcome to my new blog as president of the Maine Chess Association. I'm excited to help promote chess in an official capacity over the next two years.
The new year has already seen successful events in different parts of the state, success from Maine players across the border at the Portsmouth Open, and the announcement of a Grand Prix event to be held in Freeport. The events in Bangor and Old Town had decent turnouts despite weather playing a part in their schedules. Different players captured top honors and there were a number of upsets which made for good theatre as well as fun chess. I'm looking forward to similar reports in February from the scheduled events.
On another note, I'm looking for a tournament director or two who might be interested in running a tournament in southern Maine. I would be willing to assist if someone is looking for help. It would be nice if there was a rated tournament before the Freeport Open in April. It may be difficult at this juncture with the State Scholastics in March to pull it off, but, if anyone is willing to give it a shot, please let me know.
Right now I feel that a regular schedule of events would help tournament chess players set their schedules. I would like to have the State Closed Championship to return to its old cycle and occur in April, but that won't happen this year with the Freeport Open happening then and last year's happening so late.
I hope to meet with the executive board within the next month to discuss the direction of MECA. I am pleased to be taking leadership at a time when Maine affiliates rank among the top in the nation in the small state category and our website has been cited as one of the best in the country. I look forward to strengthening local clubs and having tournaments in new venues and different areas of the state during my term. Please contact me with any ideas that you think will help promote chess in Maine.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve Maine chess in official capacity.
Andy
Comments
After talking with Andy and His daughter, and Lee at the Colby College tourney on July 10, Im convinced that they have Maine Chess going places in the future. I came across in my last two comments as a jerk somewhat, I apologize. Im just a small peon in the chess world, but love the game, and just want to play as much as I can and hope to improve. Very well put together tourney Dan, thx for your knowledge of the game and your passion for the game.
Posted by: John Ellison | July 12, 2010 10:12 AM
Once again Andy has dropped the ball, No one can make plans to play in a tournament when they keep getting moved. Is there a way to impeach Him. I vote for Roger to take the BULL BY THE HORNS. Lets stop making a shambles of Maine Chess.
Posted by: John Ellison | July 5, 2010 1:55 PM
I thought we were trying to give chess in Maine a kick in the butt? Why then can't we get some Bangor area players going to the tournaments to the north? If I can do it on my limited $ I'm sure some of you can. So please Andy try and get this going? I mean this is why you are here? Right?
Posted by: John Ellison | April 12, 2010 10:14 AM
Hi, The write-up for this new link sounds like the Policy board is exclusive of the four elected officers. According to the MECA constitution the Policy Board is made up of the four elected Policy Board Directors, and the four elected MECA Officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer). Therefore the Policy board are these 8 individuals. Other than that, this is a good idea and look forward to seeing communications on a regular basis.
Phil, Thanks for the clarification. Yes, the elected officers are members of the Policy Board.
--Dan
Posted by: Phil St.Jean | February 25, 2010 9:02 PM
I went to the 2nd East Millinocket Open this year and was surprised at the low turnout. Roger Morin has informed me that there will be NO MORE Chess there, that I think is a shame. Nice Country up there.
Posted by: John Ellison | February 25, 2010 2:53 PM
Hi,
Does anybody know whether the Maine team championships will be held this year, and when? (not the scholastic tournament)
Posted by: Matthew | February 25, 2010 1:21 PM