Exciting news from Athenaeum Chess Club
From: Club SecretarySubject: AGM etc.,
Date: 1 April 2005 11:00:00 BST
To: …
Would everyone please note that the club’s AGM will take place on Monday, 9th May 2005 at 7.00 p.m.at the club’s venue. This e-mail is not itself formal notice of the meeting, which I will send out in a couple of weeks, but knowledge of the date gives everyone time to inform me of any business they wish to discuss for possible inclusion in the agenda.
Membership enquiry
My practice hitherto, as club secretary, when receiving applications for membership, has been to circulate the applicant’s details to the club’s officers, make a recommendation, sound their opinion and then admit or refuse membership according to circumstance. I have however now received an enquiry of a nature which dictates that I must consult everyone, for reasons which will be apparent. Therefore, once you have read what follows would you please let me have your feedback within the next day or two.
The applicant is a married mother who has had some formal chess coaching from a British IM but who has never played over the board with clocks etc., She says she has read a little about chess (with the emphasis very much on “little”, such was my impression). If admitted, she would be likely to occupy one of the lower boards in the London league 3rd team. I am not at liberty to disclose her identity but I can say that she is an American, in her 40s, who has made London her home in recent years. She is also famous throughout the world in the field of popular music. Therein lies the catch.
Her celebrity is such that it will simply not be possible for her to play any games at our venue, because the attendant publicity and attention from fans, once word got round, would compromise her security. Therefore, if admitted as a member, all matches involving her would be played at her home in Holland Park. I am satisfied that she has the requisite facilities for this purpose, having seen them myself, and also that the London league secretary would make no objection, since the venue is sufficiently central. There would be some security issues which would need to be addressed even with this arrangement, but not such as to make the idea unworkable. Advance particulars of all those attending to play would be required and they would have to undergo some fairly low-level vetting, as well as signing confidentiality undertakings and so forth, but certainly nothing too onerous or objectionable. I can supply details of what might be entailed to anyone who wishes to know.
The reason I recommend acceptance of this applicant is that there is a distinct possibility of generous associated sponsorship. Again, I have been asked not to mention figures at this stage, but suffice it to say that the sums discussed would amply allow for, say, one or two GMs to turn out for us in London league division one on a professional basis, a competitive 4NCL team, more than capable of holding its place in the top division a decent, home-based and professional web-site and, finally, a move to more spacious and prestigious centrally located premises.
Obviously, this represents an unusual opportunity for the club to which I am sure you will wish to give serious consideration. As I have been asked for a prompt response, time is not on our side, much as I would like to have discussed this at the AGM. Please therefore let me have your comments as soon as possible.
Wade biography
As most of you will be aware, Paul is currently writing a biography of Bob. His notice on the web-site seeking information, contributions etc., has elicited this recent e-mail, which is worthy of wider circulation:
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Fischer [mailto:robertfischer947@hotmail.com]
Sent: 29 March 2005 19:18
To: paulmckeown_dpk@hotmail.com
Subject: RG Wade
Mr McKeown,
As you may know I am now a free citizen. When in detention I decided to (if released) contact the very few people I respect in the world. When searching for Robert Graham Wade on the net I came across your name as his biographer. If he is alive (I am not sure) will you send me his details so I can contact him!
Having looked at some of your games on the website I see it as an utter disgrace that someone with such a poor understanding of the game will write this brilliant chessplayers biography.
RJ Fischer
Clive
Club Secretary