Annual General Meeting 2018
Held on June 12 at Battersea Labour Club

Apologies:
Tony Ashby, Joel Morales, Tim Allen, Vic Rumsey, Steve Barry.
Present:
Leon Watson, Alan Palmer, Midhun Unnikrishnan, Ben Franklin, Aldo Camilleri, Chris Beckett, Adrian Somerfield, Tim Wells, Emil Todorow, Howard Groves, Paul Stokes, Tim Valentine, Bill Drennan, Arnold Hunt, Malcolm Dancy
Minutes:
Minutes from last year approved and seconded with no changes.
Chairman's Report:
The chairman noted that we are perhaps "in a better state now in terms of finances than we have been for many years". Membership is up, we have received sponsorship from Bishop's Move and there have been other achievements over the board too. The first team had its best performance in the London League division 1 since we won the division in the 1938/9 season. Our CLL2 team led by Emil managed to enlist the services of a couple of Grandmasters and an IM and managed to avoid relegation. The Minor team finished second. We reached the final of Eastman Plate losing only to Athenaeum on board count. We fielded perhaps more teams than we have ever done, which meant plenty of matchplay for our new members. A number of our members have also had individual successes. Among them, Adam Taylor got an IM norm, Viktor Stoyanov was joint winner of the Frome Congress, Jacques Tivillier won u1850 section at the 4NCL Spring Bank Holiday Congress, Ali Hill had his usual string of successes including beating a 15-time Portuguese champion, Gregg Hutchence won u135 rating prize at the Hampstead Congress. Successes at all levels. The chairman gave thanks to committee members and also to our auditor Tony Ashby. Tony has been associated with the club for more than 60 years is planning to move out of London but he will still keep in touch. Chairman noted that there are vacancies that need filling when it comes to running the club and asked for some newer members to step forward.
Treasurer's Report:
Adrian noted that the outlook is now very positive and we have dealt with last year's rent increase and have a financial buffer. We have 57 members of all categories. Alan notes that as sports go, chess is one of the cheapest and we get excellent value for money for our memberships. The SCCA subscription is discussed, pointed out that we have been in the Surrey League but are no longer due to travel constraints, that our grades are submitted through the SCCA and that some members play for county teams and the Surrey Individual tournaments.
Accounts are proposed and seconded. They are formally adopted.
Captain's Reports:
First team and Eastman Cup: Chris Beckett
Chris said the season had been really enjoyable and thanked everyone who took part. In the end our record was played 11, won 6. He said due to a result the previous night we were overtaken for third spot but fourth was still a very impressive final position. Alan noted that a measure of the competition is that the division has been won for the last 15 years by Wood Green who "notoriously wheel in a string of Grandmasters".
Second team: Malcolm Dancy
"Err, yeah," said Malcolm, to laughter. He noted that the team had finished mid table winning 6 and losing 6.
Third team: Tim Wells
Tim said the team had finished second from bottom after being out graded for most matches. It was a difficult season but he paid tribute to the backbone of his team and said he had suffered due to call-ups to the second team.
Major team: Arnold Hunt
"I'm afraid it was not our best season," said Arnold, but he couldn't explain why. He said it will have to remain "one of the great mysteries of chess". Arnold did note every match was played in the best of spirits.
Minor team: Leon Watson
Leon noted his team "only" came second, which was a bit of a disappointment as the team were champions last year. "It was only because of a freak season by Morley College who are normally the whipping boys had a Leicester City-style season," he said. However, the team does receive a £25 prize.
CLL1: Paul Stokes
Paul said the team had played 13, won 7 "which is about standard for us in this league". Paul noted that Ali Hill scored 9.5/11 and Midhun Unnikrishnan got 7.5/9. Alan noted that "the complication" was that we had a second team in in the division this year with abaron cross-over of players.
CLL2 team: Emil Todorow
Emil said it was tough going but eventually the team narrowly managed to stay in the division by drafting in some "big guns", notably GMs David Howell and Simon Williams and IM Gavin Wall. He thanked Aldo for making that possible. Emil was asked what was on his mind when he wrote "porn" in his match report. Emil insisted he was referring to "pawns".
CLL3 team: Howard Groves
Howard reported better than expected results to finish second. He said the team was set up to blood new players and it did that, but that he was very surprised to see at Christmas the team was top of the league having won 5 matches and drawn 1. The team then had to endeavour not to get promoted, and Howard said his results played a key part in that. Howard added that Joe Skielnik had been his standout player.
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BREAK TO RECHARGE GLASSES
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Proposals for next year’s subscriptions:
Adrian proposed not to encourage the paying of subs via PayPal and cheques and embrace electronic transfers instead. PayPal involved fees and cheques are a hassle. Adrian proposed dropping the £10 early payment discount for those using PayPal. Emil asked whether we would be receiving sponsorship money again from Bishop's Move. Leon said he didn't know. Alan suggested we tack the name onto one of our teams or a trophy. Leon said he would investigate further, but was in favour of doing anything for the support because we need it. Leon mentions that we now have a Swag Store on the website where members can buy branded goods. Howard asked to clarify the first team scheme and Adrian said it was working. Alan said this was a double first: the shortest debate about subs he had known in 30 years at the club and "the first time Emil had nothing to say about them".
League entries/teams for next season:
In introducing this item, Alan said balancing the costs of team entries, the availability of players and the viability of venues for members was necessary. He asked if anyone feels we should re-enter the Surrey League and said we have had an approach from the Croydon League. 
The Croydon League:
The invitiation, Alan said, started saying "we are a friendly league". Chris wondered if it was a cult. Alan said there are no charges, no club affiliation fee and the entry fee for each team is only £10. Leon said the teams are fairly near, or not as far as you find in the Surrey League. Alan said it depends on people's appitite for chess, but we need a captain. The matter was left open until other captaincy decisions were made.
The Eastman Cup:
Alan said clubs can only enter a single team. It was agreed by a show of hands to continue.
Blitz Tournament
The dates for the traditional Blitz Tournament are set, the 3rd, 10th and 31st of July, but a volunteer to run the competition was needed. "I'll do it," said Arnold. "And maybe I'll get Charles [Cronin] to help me."
Election of club officers and team captains:
"This is the challenging one," Alan noted, saying he thinks it is good if people move around and share jobs so we avaoid the situation where people get stuck with the job for years because they become difficult to replace.
Chairman
Malcolm nominated Alan. Proposed, seconded, the vote was carried.
Secretary
Alan nominated Leon. Proposed, seconded, the vote was carried.
Treasurer
Alan nominated Adrian. Proposed, seconded, the vote was carried.
Membership Officer
Tends to be the secretary, said Arnold. Ignore that one then, said Alan.
Tournament Secretary
Ben expressed a desire to stand down. Alan offered up the post saying we have a number of tournaments in the club that have run for many years and it would be a shame if they die. Arnold said it has always been a challenge to complete the games and they have been behind for a number of years. Aldo said he has ideas but if he did it he would want to update the rapidplay and "break the format". No volunteers were found and the position remains open.
Website Manager
Bill Drennan noted that the role has been split between himself and the secretary and he would like to step down formally but is happy to continue contriibuting. It is agreed that the responsiblily will mainly become Leon's.
Equipment Maintanence Manager
Arnold presented his inventory of club equipment: 19 boards and sets, 14 digital clocks, 6 analogue clocks (although one is a 5-minute clock). He said we recently bought 6 digital clocks at a reduced price, but they are now £50 each. Arnold said we could possible do with another 5 digi clocks and another 5 boards and sets. Arnold said he is happy to continue.
LL1 Captain
Chris is keen to "quit while you're winning", said Alan. Chris endorsed Midhun. Motion carried.
Eastman Cup
Ali retained.
LL2 Captain
Malcolm also "very happy" to step down. Tim Wells volunteered. Motion carried.
LL3 Captain
Tim Valentine appointed captain.
Major Captain
Arnold said he is stepping down and "rather hopes that Bill Drennan will return to the fold". Bill agreed and the motion was carried.
Minor Captain
Leon said he wants to stand down but unfortunately no-one has stepped forward to take over, apart from Joel Morales offering to share the role.
UPDATE: Since the AGM Chris Rebbeck has stepped forward and will take on the role.
CLL1 Captain
Paul stepped down but Chris agreed to take the reins.
CLL2 Captain
Emil said he was happy to continue unless someone wanted to step in. No-one did.
CLL3 Captain
Howard was happy to continue "only because I won't get a game in any other team".
Honorary Auditor
Alan said Tony Ashby is stepping down as he is moving out of London. The role needs filling for the sake of good governance. Arnold nominated Tim Valentine. Tim agreed.
Annual Awards
Player of the Year
Clear winner with +9 in the LL and CLL for the year was Ali Hill
Captain of the Year
Chris Beckett was clear winner for his wonderful 1st team season.
Game of the Year
Chris announced Malcolm's "fine positional scrap" in a committee member Vs committee member match against Alan to be the winner.
Any Other Business
Aldo reported on the Summer Chess League arrangements and the various tournaments he has run at the club over the past year.