Greater Toronto Chess League     2007.05.04

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Saturday, April 21, 2007 - 10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: in the Library of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto, GOMT, 86 Overlea Blvd.
MINUTES FROM 2007 AGM:

President -  Michael Barron   E-mail: barron045@yahoo.com

Vice-President - Ilia Bluvshtein  E-mail: ibluvsht@duke-energy.com

Secretary - Erik Malmsten   E-mail: jerik@idirect.com

Treasurer - Nicholas J. Varmazis, P Eng   E-mail: varmazisn@hotmail.com - click here for latest FINANCIAL STATEMENT

League and Club Coordinator  -  Yuri Lebedev (416)398-2886  E-mail:  lebedev@post.com

Director of Communications - Mark S. Dutton   E-mail: mdutton@idirect.com

3 Officers at Large:  Lindsey Dickie <lindsey_cma@yahoo.ca>; Corinna Wan <corinna.wan@utoronto.ca>; Fred Kormendi <wcclub29@yahoo.com>


Outgoing Executive Present:

  • Michael Barron, President
  • Ilia Bluvshtein, Vice-President
  • Mark S. Dutton, Director of Communications
  • Nicholas J. Varmazis, Treasurer
  • Erik Malmsten, Secretary

Other organizers present:

  • Larry Bevand, Chess'n Math
  • Vladimir Dobrich, Bayview Games Club
  • Yevhen Molchanov
  • Nava Starr
  • Mike Sutton, City of Toronto
  • Barry Thorvardson, OCA
  • Oleg Tseluiko, Willowdale Chess Club
  • Ted Winick, Chess Institute of Canada

Proxies:
Michael has proxy for Iuri Lebedev, Team Coordinator
Erik has proxy for Maurice Smith, Scarborough Chess Club

Outgoing Chair: Michael Barron, Minutes: Erik Malmsten, Coffee and cookies: Nicholas Varmazis

Agenda

  1. Announcements
  2. Executive Reports:
    a. Director of Communications — Mark S. Dutton
    b. Team Coordinator — Iuri Lebedev
    c. Secretary — Erik Malmsten
    d. Treasurer — Nicholas J. Varmazis
    e. Vice-President — Ilia Bluvshtein
    f. Outgoing President — Michael Barron
  3. Election of 2007-8 GTCL Executive and up to three Officers at Large
  4. Nomination of OCA/ CFC Governors
  5. 2007-8 Budget
  6. New items
  7. New Constitution

Discussion

1. Announcements

a. Vlad distributed flyers for the Toronto Active Championship, Igor Ivanov Memorial, May 13, 3 pm, game 30 minutes.

b. Mike showed billboard from the simult of Mark Bluvshtein last October to raise money for United Way and the Olympiad teams. Not enough lead time to get school board participation, but Mark made a good impression on a city councillor. The mayor is in support of cultural activities. Mike wants to try again for 2008.

c. Larry offered to forward to Mike video of event in Ottawa. These kinds of events attract the general public, not established tournament players. Could get donated prizes for participants. Could have tables with representatives and flyers for local chess organizations. A weekend may get more people than a weekday.

d. Nava wanted to know about women's events. There is a proposal before the CFC for a Canadian Women's Championship over the Simcoe Day weekend in the beginning of August. The Toronto Women's Closed is proposed to run on Sundays Sept to November, 6 to 8 player round robin. Vlad has found that players prefer one rather than two rounds a week, with rescheduling allowed. If Nava plays, that would be an attraction for others to play. Nava likes the one round a day, but Sundays are bad for her. Many new younger players rising up the ranks, one defeated Barry last month. Maybe work with Corinna Wan and have the winner of girls' tournaments seeded into the Toronto Women's Closed. Sophia Polgar is in town for another year and a half and teaches chess twice a week, and may be available to promote women's chess, but will not play.

Proposal for Toronto Women's Championship voted on and approved.

The GTCL backup offer to run the Canadian Women's Championship on Thanksgiving weekend is deferred until after the OCA Annual Meeting in May.

Vlad proposed a means of increasing the prize funds of the Toronto Closed/ Toronto Junior/ Toronto Women's Championships is to take an additional 5% off of featured tournaments that presently collect 5% for the Grand Prix. That money would be used to guaranteed first prize in the Grand Prix events, with the excess going to the TC/TJ/TW. This will create more interest by the strongest players for both the Grand Prix and championship events. Once a strong player is confirmed, other top players will enter. But concern was expressed by players in the past about the loss of immediate prize money when money was taken away for the Lotto Bonus/ Grand Prix.

e. Notice passed out of chess at a community Environment Day, May 6 at Wychwood Barns, organized by Ted. Hans Jung will do a simult. This is advertised to all residents in the ward. Working with local counsellors is a way to promote chess.

f. Ted passed out information on his chess camp that will have GM Sofia Polgar. It is held at the same time as music camp at Camp Wahanowin on Lake Couchiching, Aug 19 to Aug 25, $699. He is working on getting sponsors for scholarships for inner-city youth. Chess teachers and clubs instrumental in getting participants can get a referral fee.

g. The York Region Open in May 5-6 is at the Curling Club, Elgin Mills Rd and Yonge. The school location didn't work out because of noisy basketballs, etc. An active tournament will be held there on July 21 and August 18. Barry will also have a barbeque party/ active tournament for players over 50 in August.

 

2. Executive Reports:

a. Director of Communications — Mark S. Dutton

Vlad expressed thanks and commendation. Michael led a vote of thanks and hoped Mark will continue for "life."

Mark would like more content contributed to the GTCL website. Mark would like to just be the coordinator and not have to type in results. Content can be submitted in Word or text or html. Tournament Directors should provide a link to the results of their tournaments listed.

Could have link on GTCL and chesstalk to Chess 5 site where many local players have been posting their games.

b. Team Coordinator — Michael Barron reported for Iuri Lebedev

Three teams in the top section, Eight teams from six clubs in the under 2000.

Iuri has emailed the team captains a list of players who CFC membership expires before June 1. Not everyone has been receiving email from Iuri, emails with no title goes to spam filter. If players aren't CFC members their games are forfeited. Nobody wants the chore of being a collection agency. In previous years clubs paid $7 per player, so maybe $10 per player up front (to cover CFC tournament rating fee) will get a better commitment, the money refunded at the end of the season.

Iuri has revised the rules and proposed the use of clocks with increments, game in 60 plus 30 seconds a move instead of game in 90 with frequent time trouble.

c. Secretary — Erik Malmsten

Erik had distributed an activity report, list of winners and grand prix stats by email. Last year there were 100 CFC rated events with 3,135 players who played 7,847 games. The number of games is nine per cent lower than 2005, but higher than 2004 and 2003. Roman Pelts FT, Chess Academy of Canada, once again had the highest number of games 3,471. The total number of games in non-junior events is only two per cent lower than 2005. The nine weekend tournaments saw an increase in number of games played of 20 per cent to equal the total in 2004. There has been increased activity in York, Scarborough and Burlington.

Erik distributed and read out the report from the Scarborough Chess Club. Their success has been because of:

  1. Advertising on the Internet
  2. Database of members' games with Fritz analysis
  3. Regular newsletter
  4. Friendly atmosphere
  5. Dedicated executive of Bryan Lamb, Maurice Smith, Andrew Philip and Steve Karpik.


 

A couple of other clubs have had a decrease in membership and have asked for help. The Mississauga Chess Club has found its website brings in new members. A club could align themselves with a nearby school, members offering to teach. And kids need a place to play on weekends. The Brampton Chess Club does a simult in shopping centres and at City Hall events. Need flyers to hand out. Brampton is just starting to get involved with the school board.

Last week at O.I.S.E. Ted gave a presentation to 35 student teachers on teaching chess to kids. Ted has teachers in 25 schools. Chess'n Math would have more schools if they had more teachers.

Last year had seven Grand Prix events and $1,250 was given out, 20% more players participated. There was a slight decrease in the percent of players who only played in one event, but still over 50% of the players. This year's Grand Prix will be smaller, $210 collected from the first two events.

Bryan Lamb may do another Labour Day and it may again be a Grand Prix event. Macedonian or Tartu are too expensive, better rent would be $1,000 for the three days. Ted may be able to find better sites for Labour Day and Thanksgiving. Last Sunday he found a free site for the 185 kids in the Toronto Chess Challenge in a Loblaws at Bayview and Sheppard. He also has a Sunday group in a Loblaws at St. Clair and Bathurst, in a room where there are cooking classes.

 

d. Treasurer — Nicholas J. Varmazis

Nicholas had distributed his report by email. Total income was $2,754, total expenses $2,132, and profit was $622. The balance at the end of the fiscal year $1,540.

b. Vice-president —Ilia Bluvshtein

Participated in voting and some lively discussions on email, worked on the constitution, The President thanked him for giving valuable advice.

f. Outgoing President — Michael Barron

Michael had distributed his report by email. Club membership is the most important thing; we are a federation of chess clubs. The Bayview Games Club has been the most active, hosting many championships. We can host the Ontario Junior and the Canadian Junior again.

We need to provide different kinds of tournaments for different players. Some like weekend tournaments, some like weeknights, some like fast, some like slow.

 

3. Election of 2007-8 GTCL Executive and up to three Officers at Large

Nicholas Varmazis chairs meeting for presidential vote.

a. President

Ilia Bluvshtein nominated Michael Barron, accepted, acclaimed.

Michael Barron resumes being chair.

b. Vice-president

Barry Thorvardson nominated Ilia Bluvshtein, accepted, acclaimed.

c. Secretary

Michael Barron nominated Erik Malmsten, accepted, acclaimed.

d. Treasurer

Michael Barron nominated Nicholas J. Varmazis, accepted, acclaimed.

e. Director of Communications

Barry Thorvardson nominated Mark S. Dutton, accepted, acclaimed.

f. Team Coordinator

Michael Barron nominated Iuri Lebedev, acclaimed. Ilia offered to help Iuri.

g. Officers at Large

This is for people not representing clubs, for example someone at City Hall. Mike Sutton? A politician can be useful. Ted will ask Sophia Polgar. Executive can fill these posts. The Directors At Large are informed by email but do not have voting rights.

Barry says emails on the website can be protected from spam robots.

 

4. Nomination of OCA/ CFC Governors

Jim Ferrier wants to be removed from the lists. As we will have fewer Governors this year the inactive Shivaharan Thurairasah was also removed. Oleg Tseluiko will replace Fred Kormendi as a rep from the Willowdale Chess Club.

OCA Governors
1. Mark S. Dutton
2. Caesar Posylek
3. Michael Barron
4. Nicholas Varmazis
5. Eddie Urquhart
6. Lindsey Dickie
7. Barry Thorvardson
8. Ilia Bluvshtein
9. Oleg Tseluiko
10. Iuri Lebedev
 

 

CFC Governors
1. Mark S. Dutton
2. Nava Starr
3. Ilia Bluvshtein
4. Michael Barron
5. Nicholas J. Varmazis
6. Caesar Posylek
7. Barry Thorvardson
8. Larry Luiting
9. Iuri Lebedev
10. Yevhen Molchanov

Barry will be taken off of the OCA and CFC lists if re-elected as OCA President, when he automatically becomes a Governor.

The following are automatic Governors:

Michael Barron, GTCL President

Martin Jaeger, life
Maurice Smith, life
Phil Haley, life
Eddie Urquhart, Master's Rep

 

5. 2007-8 Budget

Nicholas had distributed his report by email. Since we have money in the bank, Michael suggested having a loss for 2007-8. Proposed budget adjusted from +90 to -210, accepted.

Last year the OCA lost money on the Richmond Hill Open and Bryan Lamb lost money on Labour Day.

How to motivate on a limited budget? We only have $300 to stimulate activity in clubs. Might have an annual volunteer banquet. Have pizza and drinks at an event. Older people may prefer recognition rather than money. How to use budget to encourage players to play? Vlad would like a strong first prize. Chess'n Math has been helpful in providing trophies.

What's required to hold an elite tournament? A 9-round Swiss is not as good as a round-robin/ Schveningen where one knows what number of points is required to get an IM norm. Need a $10,000 budget and three foreign players. Some money is available from Chess'n Math. Some players living in Toronto are still listed as foreign. Holding an event in August may get some of the GMs who are here for the Canadian and Quebec events.

 

6. New Items

a. Larry proposed to have a non-CFC rated adult tournament in August. Many players are unhappy with the CFC costing too much and taking too long to rate tournaments. Chess'n Math can rate them quickly for $1. It doesn't matter to Larry.

There is a new computerized CFC rating system in the works. Better to wait to see if it's approved at the CFC Annual Meeting in July.

The last CFC annual meeting did approve a CFC rating of $50 a year for clubs to rate all events without prizes. Erik will send out a survey of local clubs to see if any are interested.

b. Grand Prix Guaranteed Minimum prize Fund approved:

$300, $200, $100, $50, only one winner per class.

c. Discussion on the inter-club teams. Only two or three teams are not enough.

One system used in Montreal is a capped team where the four players combined rating equals something like 7400 (average 1850) which still allows one master to play on the team.

Ten dollars a team is a commitment, but organizers often struggle to find players to travel. May be easier to get teams to commit to a one-day active team tournament. Ilia will ask Ted about a location for September-October and Michael, Yuri, and Ilia will work on proposal.

d. Mike's project of chess week for 2008 won't be the CFC's chess week around Thanksgiving; too early for schools. Politicians will be interested if they see many participate. Could be tied in with 2008 Canadian Closed if Toronto has it, Quebec still has to submit proposal.

For this year Erik will see what can be done at City Hall in conjunction with Larry's Superfest Aug 10-12.

e. To advertise tournaments, a tournament flyer can be emailed to club contacts to print and post for their club members.

 

7. New Constitution

The new Constitution as developed by Ilia Bluvshtein and Nicholas Varmazis and displayed on the GTCL website accepted.

 

Greater Toronto Chess League Annual General Meeting

Saturday April 21, 2007, 10 am - 2 pm
in the Library, first floor,
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (GOMT),
86 Overlea Blvd., between Don Mills and Thorncliffe,
turn North at William Morgan Drive, turn East and through gates.
It’s two doors East of the Macedonian Community Centre,
where the annual Labour Day Open has been held for the last dozen years.

Our host, Nicholas Varmazis, would like people to RSVP so that he knows how much coffee and cookies to provide.

Please review the revised constitution which will require a two-thirds vote to adopt.  
Also presented will be the President's and Treasurer's Reports and an Activity report on CFC rated games in Toronto.

What can the GTCL do to help your club? How can the GTCL better promote chess in Toronto? Please let us know if you or somebody you know would like to be on the GTCL Executive and/or be a CFC Governor.

 CURRENT GTCL constitution HERE    Download GTCL constitution HERE  Please DOWNLOAD the new version of the GTCL constitution HERE

Saturday, April 21, 2007 - 10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: in the Library of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto, GOMT, 86 Overlea Blvd.
AGENDA FOR 2007 AGM:
 Agenda

1. Announcements
2. GTCL Awards
3. OCA Awards Submissions
4. New Constitution
5. Executive Reports:
            a. Club/Team Coordinator
            b. Director of Communications
            c. Secretary
            d. Treasurer
            e. Vice-President
            f. Outgoing President
6. Nominations for 2007-2008 GTCL Executive and 3 Directors at Large
7. Nominations for CFC/ OCA Governors
8. 2007-2008 Budget
9. 2007-8 GTCL Tournaments
10. New Items

 

GTCL Executive

President - Michael Barron                                 E-mail:  barron045@yahoo.com
Vice-President - Ilia Bluvshtein                         E-mail: <ibluvsht@duke-energy.com>
Secretary - Erik Malmsten                                  E-mail: jerik@idirect.com
Treasurer - Nicholas J. Varmazis, P Eng           E-mail: varmazisn@hotmail.com
League and Club Coordinator - Iuri Lebedev    E-mail: lebedev@post.com
Director of Communications - Mark S. Dutton  E-mail: mdutton@idirect.com

 
 GTCL Directors and Governors

 

           OCA Directors      CFC Governors

           1. Mark S. Dutton                       1. Mark S. Dutton

           2. Caesar Posylek                       2. Nava Starr

           3. Shivaharan Thurairasah       3. Ilia Bluvshtein

           4. Nicholas Varmazis                   4. Michael Barron

           5. Jim Ferrier                               5. Shivaharan Thurairasah

           6. Eddie Urquhart                        6. Nicholas J. Varmazis

           7. Lindsey Dickie                         7. Caesar Posylek

           8. Barry Thorvardson                  8. Jim Ferrier

           9. Ilia Bluvshtein                          9. Barry Thorvardson              

         10. Fred Kormendi                      10. Larry Luiting          

         11. Iuri Lebedev                          11. Iuri Lebedev    

Greater Toronto Chess League

Minutes From Last Year (2006 AGM)

Friday, April 14, 2006
Location: in the Library of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto, GOMT, 86 Overlea Blvd.

Outgoing Executive Present:

  • President: Michael Barron
  • Director of Communications: Mark S. Dutton, I.A.
  • Treasurer: Nicholas J. Varmazis
  • Secretary: Erik Malmsten

Other organizers present:

  • Barry Thorvardson, OCA
  • Ilia Bluvshtein
  • David Cohen, non-voting
  • Fred Kormendi
  • Iuri Lebedev
  • Omar Shah, nonvoting
  • Shivaharan Thurairasah

Outgoing Chair: Michael Barron, Minutes: Erik Malmsten, Coffee and cookies: Nicholas Varmazis

           

Agenda

  1. Announcements
  2. New Constitution
  3. Bid for Toronto Blitz Championship
  4. Executive Reports:
    a. Outgoing President — Michael Barron
    b. Vice-President — Brian Lamb
    c. Secretary — Erik Malmsten
    d. Treasurer — Nicholas J. Varmazis
    e. Director of Communications — Mark S. Dutton, I.A.
    f. Team Coordinator — Caesar Posylek
  5. GTCL Awards
  6. Election of 2006-7 GTCL Executive and up to three Officers at Large
  7. Nomination of OCA/ CFC Governors
  8. 2006-7 Budget
  9. New items

Discussion

1. Announcements

Nicholas distributed flyers for the North York Senior Games and North York Seniors (over 55) Chess Tournament on May 28.

2. New Constitution

The new Constitution had only minor changes but the proper method is to have old beside new to show the changes. A vote to accept the new constitution requires two-thirds vote, 6 votes.

Accept changes, but in future show old and new with highlighted changes. Shivaharan Thurairasah moved, Ilia Bluvshtein seconded. 4 for, 2 against. Defeated.

Postpone vote to next annual meeting and present the old and new constitution with changes highlighted. Another change should include that executive votes by email are acceptable. Nicholas Varmazis moved, Mark Dutton seconded. 4 for, 1 against. Accepted.

Publicly asking for input on what changes/additions to the constitution is a way to get more people involved.

3. Bid for Toronto Blitz Championship

Bayview Games Club provided bid for Bryon Nickoloff Memorial Toronto Blitz Championship on Saturday June 17, 1:30 PM, 9 double-round Swiss, non-members pay $7 visitor's fee. Vote to accept by Michael Barron, seconded Ilia Bluvshtein. 8 for, 0 against.

4. Executive Reports:

a. Outgoing President — Michael Barron
Michael had distributed his report by email. He mentioned the need to develop system of annual competitions to encourage activity of chess clubs and improvement of chess players. Last year had increased participation in the team matches, the Toronto Closed, and the weekend Grand Prix opens and had championships for blitz, juniors, seniors and women. We also sent a strong team to the Four Cities Match. There is better understanding and cooperation with the Ontario Chess Association and Chess 'n Math Association. 2nd by Nicholas Varmazis 8 for, accepted.

b. Vice-President — Brian Lamb
Mark Dutton read Brian's email that said he wasn't interested in chess politics but will continue to run tournaments. He thinks we should adapt to the gap in growth between adults and juniors. Moved by Michael Barron, 2nd by Nicholas Varmazis. 8 for, accepted.

c. Secretary — Erik Malmsten
Haven't been successful at getting chess included in the wider cultural community. Made contact with the Word on the Street Festival but didn't succeed in getting a table for chess, as they are mainly interested in getting paying exhibitors. But if we brought our own table and no advertising we're welcomed to play in Queen's Park.

Attendance at weekend tournaments at Tartu and Labour Day were up, but most clubs had a slight decrease. The increase in overall CFC rated games from 6,468 to 8,650 is due mainly to Roman Pelts' weekly junior tournaments.

To increase participation in weekend tournaments we need to invite back those who are playing and to get ex-players to return. Not everyone reads Chesstalk, En Passant or the Saturday chess columns, but they are good sources of advertising. The easiest thing we can do is to have a line on entry forms for an email address and compile an email list to sent flyers of upcoming tournaments. Back in the 1970s we used to receive entries forms in the mail. I believe Mark Dutton has an email list from his club days, but we need one of currently active players. A possibility is emailing the crosstables results to all participants, after sending the report to the CFC.

Another action that I would like to see is a couple of annual chess scholarships for juniors who have won tournaments, taught other youth, volunteered at senior centres, and made school reports on chess. The scholarships could be something like a free CFC membership and a year of free entries into all CFC-rated tournaments.

Michael Barron moves, Barry Thorvardson 2nd. 8 for. Accepted.

Michael Barron thinks hierarchy is GTCL to clubs, and that clubs should contact players.

Iuri had compared the ratings of 600 CMA to 500 CFC juniors.

d. Treasurer — Nicholas J. Varmazis
Nicholas had distributed his report by email. Total income was $2,324, total expenses $2,630, and actual lost for the fiscal year was $186. The balance at the end of the Fiscal year $918. Approx. $140 is to be collected from the March Open for the 2006 Grand Prix fund.

The GTCL thanks Barry Thorvardson for the donation of the website.

Report accepted 6 for.

The OCA has been giving 33% of the CFC fees to the OCA Leagues. The fixed amount of $1,000 given on Oct. 1 is more than per-member rebates and will help the GTCL in planning.

e. Director of Communications  — Mark S. Dutton, I.A.
Mark has been maintaining the website almost daily, minimum weekly. The new calendar of upcoming events is now being used by the CFC and organizers across Ontario to schedule non-conflicting events. It also has hot links to tournament flyers and reports. There is also detailed coverage of the team matches including team photos.

As Mark has his phone number on the website he continues to take phone calls. He was informed that Nick Zimninski died and posted the news on chesstalk. Mark regularly posted GTCL announcements on Chesstalk and by email. This is Mark's twelfth year as Director of Communications!

Michael Barron moves, Barry Thorvardson 2nd. 9 for, accepted.

Mark thanked Erik for help in starting up the successful upcoming events table, which was an idea originally on David Cohen's website. Not known about was the recent death of the Lembit Joselin, organizer of the Estonian Chess Club. Barry will forward the web traffic stats to Mark.

f. Team Coordinator — Caesar Posylek
Caesar Posylek resigned in mid-season, passing on the job to the inactive Vice-president No report.

5. GTCL Awards

For his extraordinary efforts resulting in saving about $100 of GTCL funds in bank charges annually the GTCL awards Nicholas Varzamis a one-year CFC membership.

Michael Barron moves, Ilia Bluvshtein seconds. 8 for, accepted.

The GTCL will make an award, Best Tournament Director, based on the director of the most CFC rated games per calendar year. In 2004 it was Vlad Dobrich, 1,275 games, in 2005 Roman Pelts, 3,651 games. Erik will make up the certificates. Michael Barron moves, Erik Malmsten seconds. 7 for, accepted.

The OCA will present their volunteer awards at their annual meeting. The OCA commends the GTCL on their continued good tournament activity, website, bringing in players beyond our borders, having youth on chess teams and good competitive rivalry in the under 2000 team matches.

6. Election of 2006-7 GTCL Executive and up to three Officers at Large

Mark Dutton chairs meeting for Presidential vote.

a. President
Barry Thorvardson nominated Michael Barron, accepted.
Michael Barron acclaimed

Michael Barron resumes being chair.

b. Vice-president
Michael Barron nominated Ilia Bluvshtein, accepted, acclaimed.

c. Secretary
Nicholas Varmazis nominated Erik Malmsten, reluctantly accepted, acclaimed.

d. Treasurer
Barry Thorvardson nominated Nicholas J. Varmazis, accepted, acclaimed.

e. Director of Communications
Ilia Bluvshtein nominated Mark S. Dutton, accepted, acclaimed.

f. Team Coordinator
Fred Kormendi nominated but declined, too busy at club. One Executive can't hold two positions. Mark Dutton agreed to complete this year's event and make the rating report to the CFC.  Shivaharan Thurairasah nominated and conditionally accepted — he will let us know of his workload in September whether he could do it for next year.

Shivaharan Thurairasah acclaimed.

g. Officers at Large
This is for people not representing organizations, and can involve people outside of the GTCL area. Barry recalls that Martin Jaeger had calculated the area, something like Port Hope to Barrie to Oakville. There is no longer a Georgian Bay League. Erik believes that we should keep in touch with Lindsey Dickie, Regional Coordinator of Chess 'n Math Association.

Officers at Large:

  • Lindsey Dickie
  • Fred Kormendi
  • Corinna Wan

7. Nomination of OCA Directors / CFC Governors

Michael Dougherty has been inactive as he has been travelling, Yevhen Molchanov has been too busy and Wilf Ferner has resigned. The OCA has only one annual meeting and the OCA Governor's had a low number of issues to vote on this past year.

OCA Directors
1. Mark S. Dutton, I.A.
2. Caesar Posylek
3. Shivaharan Thurairasah
4. Nicholas Varmazis
5. Jim Ferrier
6. Eddie Urquhart
7. Lindsey Dickie
8. Barry Thorvardson
9. Ilia Bluvshtein
10. Larry Luiting
11. Iuri Lebedev

 

CFC Governors
1. Mark S. Dutton, I.A.
2. Nava Starr
3. Ilia Bluvshtein
4. Michael Barron
5. Shivaharan Thurairasah
6. Nicholas J. Varmazis
7. Caesar Posylek
8. Jim Ferrier
9. Barry Thorvardson
10. Larry Luiting
11. Iuri Lebedev

Barry will be taken off of the OCA and CFC lists if re-elected as OCA President, when he automatically becomes a Governor.

The following are automatic Governors:

Michael Barron, GTCL President

Martin Jaeger, life
Maurice Smith, life
Phil Haley, life
Eddie Urquhart, Master's Rep

The OCA has requested that these nominations be forwarded in a letter.

Michael Barron asked nominated OCA Governors to support Barry Thorvardson in the OCA President elections and asked nominated CFC Governors to support Chris Mallon in the CFC President elections.

8. 2005-6 Budget

The projected budget has an $500 entry for Sponsorships and $500 entry for Invitational Events Expenses, they're linked.

The GTCL initially put $1,000 in to kick-start the Lotto Bonus. There is still $500 available in the lottery bonus for a perfect score in an Under 2000 section. Need to tell the TDs it is still there.

If it is still not won by Jan. 1, 2007 it will be added to the general funds of the GTCL. Nicholas Varmazis moved, carried 4-3.

In January the executive can decide what to do with it. Because it carried, Michael Barron's alternate motion to move funds to the Grand Prix fund is irrelevant. Last year had five Grand Prix prizes for five categories, this year will just be one table.

Motion to accept Draft Budget moved by Nicholas Varmazis, 2nd Michael Barron. Carried 8-0.

9. New Items

Discussion on the Team League
The League winning club receives for a year a permanent engraved plaque and the Cup winning club receives for a year a permanent engraved Cup and each winning receives up to six trophies for the team members. Chess Academy of Canada has the plaque; Willowdale Chess Club has the Cup. No entry fees, hence no money prizes. Should there be money prizes?

The Under 2000 section opened up the league to clubs that haven't participated before, but took people away from the Open section. But it has to be made interesting for everybody: some 1800s will say no to getting munched by masters, some masters will say no to travelling across town to play 1800s. Instead of every player under 2000, could look at having a team rating cap of 8000. What would be a good cap? Most clubs' active members are rated 1600 to 1800. Brampton's match on the Internet had a 7600 cap (1900 average). Could have 7000 cap (1750) for a lower section. Need 12 players on a team to always have enough players available.

Cup could be in a different format like active, which was voted against last year. Could be all-play-all Scheveningen, 16 games in one match (4x4). Could have a one-day individual tournament with the winning team being the top four individual scores of club members.

OCA Update
Barry Thorvardson reports that the York pilot project Trillium grant covers nine cities. Mayors will attend their city school championships, with 268 schools participating.

A two-page brochure will go out to promote York's summer chess camps. Roman Pelts will head the team of 100 chess instructors. Training course for the instructors on May 27. Info at www.chessontario.com.

Richmond Hill will bid for the 2007 Canadian Championship.

Seniors
Martin Jaeger wrote that he doesn't want to see competing senior events. Willowdale Chess Club wants to organize the Toronto Seniors' Championship. A weekend event is better for travellers than one game a week, one game a week is better for local players.

 

GTCL 2007 CHESS EVENTS-
COMBINED CALENDAR OF Upcoming Events - COMPLETE CALENDAR 

2007
May 5 & 6 2007 York Region MAY OPEN Chess Championships Richmond Hill Curling Club -  121 Elgin Mills  Richmond Hill
May 5 & 6  26th Annual Arnprior R. N. Webb Memorial An EOCA Grand Prix Nick Smith Centre , 77 James St, Arnprior Arnprior
May 11, 12 & 13 Ontario High School Chess Championship 40th Annual Tournament - Trent University Peterborough
May 13  2007 Toronto ACTIVE Championship - Igor Ivanov Memorial Bayview Games  - NEW - ACTIVE RATINGS Toronto
May 19  London Spring Open Wortley Baptist Church  London
May 19, 20 & 21  Ontario Open Chess Championship - 2nd Tony Miles Memorial  Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel & Suites  Thunder Bay
May 26 & 27 Guelph Spring Pro-Am                    A SWOCL Grand Prix event Guelph University Centre Guelph
June 9 & 10 Eastern Ontario Open                      An EOCA Grand Prix Event  Carleton University, Residence Commons  Ottawa
June 16  2007 Toronto BLITZ Championship - Bryon Nickoloff Memorial Bayview Games Club  Toronto
June 30 & July 1 & 2  2007 Canada Day Open Toronto A GTCL 2007 Grand Prix Event Bayview Games Club  Toronto
July 3-6  CYCC - Canadian Youth Chess Championships 

Fairmont Château Laurier, 1 Rideau Street

 Ottawa
July 7-15 The 2007 Canadian OPEN Chess Championship 

Ottawa Marriott Hotel, 100 Kent Street

 Ottawa
July 9 to July 13 London Summer Activity Chess Camp Wortley Baptist Church  London
July 21 2007 York Region JULY ACTIVE OPEN Chess Championships Middlefield High School  Markham
July 20-28 

Championnat ouvert d'échecs du Québec 2007

à l'hôtel Hilton Doubletree 505 Sherbrooke E

 Détails
July 29  Championnat Semi-rapides du Québec (Semi-rapides)  Fédération québécoise des échecs Détails à venir!
August 3, 4, 5 & 6  2007 Annual Kitchener Chess Festival Pro-AM International Kitchener, Ontario location TBA  Kitchener
August 18 2007 York Region AUGUST ACTIVE OPEN Chess Championships Middlefield High School  Markham
September 1, 2 & 3  The 2007 Annual Toronto Labour Day Open  Bryan Lamb, Organizer - details TBA  Toronto
Sept. 16 to Nov. 4  The 2007 Toronto Junior & Bantam Chess Championship TO BE ANNOUNCED - see bid here Toronto
Sept. 16 to Nov. 4  The 2007 Toronto Women's Chess Championship Bayview Games Club Toronto
October 6, 7 & 8 2007 Toronto Thanksgiving Open A GTCL 2007 Grand Prix Event TO BE ANNOUNCED Toronto
Oct. 16 to Nov. 27 2007 Toronto SENIOR Chess Championship TO BE ANNOUNCED - see bid here  Toronto
November 16, 17 & 18 2007 The Ontario JUNIOR Chess Championship TO BE ANNOUNCED - see bid here Toronto
December 26 to 30  Holidays Open 2007                     A GTCL 2007 Grand Prix Event TO BE ANNOUNCED   Toronto
January - June   cont'd Toronto Clubs Team Championships 2006-2007 Season
LEAGUE RESULTS: Premier & Under 2000 Results from 2006 		Greater Toronto Chess Clubs Toronto
January 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 2008 Canadian JUNIOR Chess Championship  TO BE ANNOUNCED - see bid here Toronto
       

GTCL Grand Prix 2006
 series will include the following tournaments:

 1) March Open - March 17-19, 5 rounds - COMPLETED FINAL CFC RATED CROSSTABLE
2) Toronto Open - April 15-17, 6 rounds - COMPLETED FINAL CFC RATED CROSSTABLE
3) Ontario Open - May 20-22, 6 rounds   - COMPLETED FINAL CFC RATED CROSSTABLES
4) York Region Open - June 24-25, 5 rounds - COMPLETED FINAL CFC RATED CROSSTABLES
5) Labour Day Open - September 2-4, 6 rounds - COMPLETED FINAL CFC RATED CROSSTABLES
6) Thanksgiving Open - October 7-9, 6 rounds - COMPLETED FINAL CFC RATED CROSSTABLES
 7) Holidays Open - December 26-30, 6 rounds - COMPLETED FINAL CFC RATED CROSSTABLE

 Click here for GTCL Grand Prix 2006 Information and Standings -  Erik Malmsten - GTCL Grand Prix Coordinator

 Final standings of the GTCL Grand Prix 2006 competition:
1) Noritsyn, Nikolay      2431     29.5   -  $400
2) Chidley-Hill, John     1751     26.0   -  $300
3) Martchenko, Alexander  1978     21.0   -  $200
4) Southam, David         2101     20.5   -  $100
5) Laporte, Richard        unr     20.0   -  $ 50
6) Ramenaden, Matthew     1784     19.5   -  $ 50
7) Henry, Liam            2123     19.0   -  $ 50
8) Chan, Alex             1463     18.0   -  $ 50
9) Sapozhnikov, Roman     1738     17.0   -  $ 25
9) Ferreira, Alex         1912     17.0   -  $ 25

Congratulations to all prize winners!   Happy New Year!

GTCL invites all chess players to play in the coming Toronto Closed and 2007 Grand Prix tournaments!

GTCL Grand Prix 2007
Greater Toronto Chess League is pleased to announce Grand Prix 2007 series! 
 GTCL invites all chess clubs and organizers submit their bids for the Grand Prix 2007 tournaments!

GTCL Grand Prix 2007 series will include the following 5 tournaments: 

1)  March Open – March 16-18, 5 rounds

2)  Toronto Open – April 6-8, 6 rounds

3)  Canada Day Open – June 30-July 1 & 2 - 5 rounds

4)  Thanksgiving Open – October 6-8, 6 rounds - TBA

5)  Holidays Open – December 26-30, 6 rounds - TBA

Grand Prix prizes will be awarded to players who get the most points accumulated for all 5 tournaments in the following 5 categories:

1)   Open,

2)   Under 2200,

3)   Under 2000,

4)   Under 1800,

5)   Under 1600.

5% from each tournament’s prize fund will be set aside for Grand Prix fund.

CFC Membership is required. 

GTCL invites all chess clubs and organizers submit their bids
for the Grand Prix 2007 tournaments!