Chess Arbiters' Association

14th August - Congratulations go to Graham Mill-Wilson who passed the Arbiters' Exam at Torquay.

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1st July - The new Laws of Chess come into force today. Comments about the Laws are available elsewhere on this website.

There are now standardised pairing rules in use across Britain.  See the page on Swiss pairing regulations for more details.

A course for trainee arbiters is planned to take place during the British Championships in Torquay.

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13th May -  FIDE issue slight ammendments to the Laws which come into force in July.  There are no changes just a tidying of English and corrections in Article numbering.

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2nd May - Training Arbiters: The ECF has appointed its first Training Arbiters.  The following are experienced and have the necessary skills to run a weekend training course for arbiters in conjunction with the Chief Arbiter and Manager of Arbiters. They are now designated as Training Arbiters.
David Welch, Lara Barnes & Alex McFarlane, Geoff Jones, Adrian Elwin & John Shaw, Peter Purland.

If anyone else wishes to be considered for this list, could they please contact Cyril Johnston (ECF Home Director). The ECF would expect successful candidates to have at least 8 years experience as an arbiter.
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12th March -  New Laws of Chess which come into force from 1st July 2009 are now available for downloading.

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9th March 2009 - Peter Devenny has passed the Chess Scotland Arbiters' exam and now requires satisfactory reports before being fully qualified.

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17th December -  Bob Wade's funeral took place yesterday.  It was well attended, a tribute to his contribution to the chess world.

Donations to the Bob Wade Memorial Fund can be made through HSBC Bank plc, 122 Finchley Road, London NW3 5JD, 40-03-02 Acc # 71555863
This will in the first instance be used for the Funeral and Memorial Service and at the request of the family any remaining funds will be donated to a Junior Chess Charity to be determined.

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5th December - Bob Wade's Funeral
The funeral will be on Tuesday December 16th at 10.15am at
Eltham Crematorium,
Crown Woods Way,
Eltham
London SE9 2AZ
It will be followed by a reception to be announced and in due course there will be a Memorial Service in central London.

All will be most welcome at all of these.

No flowers please.

Donations to the Bob Wade Memorial Fund care of the Executors of Robert Wade.
The full details will be announced in the next few days (hopefully during the week starting December 8th).

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30th November - 

It is with great regret that we inform members of the CAA of the death of International Arbiter Robert Graham Wade.

Bob, who died in London on Saturday 29^th November following a short period in hospital, was aged 87.   In a career that lasted seven decades he was not only a professional player but also a prolific writer, editor and researcher as well an administrator, arbiter and coach.

Born on April 10 1921 in Dunedin, New Zealand where he was taught the game by his father at the age of 8 it was there that his real interest in chess developed in his late teens.

He eventually settled in England, and soon became one of the country's most active players. In 1950 he was awarded the title of International Master.

His interest in chess was not restricted to just playing and he became an important presence in FIDE and was a member of the committee that drew up the first official laws of the game in 1949.  He achieved the International Arbiter title in 1958.

In 1979 he was awarded the OBE for his services to chess and was also made an Honorary Member of FIDE.

Amongst his arbiting achievements were Olympiads, the 1993 (unofficial) World Championship match and the Staunton Memorial events where he continued as an arbiter until 2007.

The chess world has lost a fine servant.

Many fuller obituaries are available.

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22nd November - The Arbiters' course at Hartlepool on 15th and 16th of November was a success for all 5 ECF exam takers!  3 trainees passed the full exam and another 2 passed the laws section making them all eligible for the new ECF title of Referee. Chris Wardle, formerly of Whitley Bay, but now residing in Edinburgh has had his pass recognised by both the ECF and Chess Scotland, enabling him to qualify as an Arbiter in both countries.  Peter Devenny, only 13, of Glasgow also took the course and an oral exam is being arranged for him in Scotland. 

Congratulations to: Mike Evans, Bernie Price, Norman Stephenson, Chris Wardle and Bill Wilson.  Thanks to Graham Marshall, The Hillcarter Hotel in Hartlepool and the Atheneum Chess Club for providing the venues.

Trainee Arbiters, Norman Stephenson, Mike Evans  and Bernie Price listening to Alex McFarlane	Mike and Chris Wardle taking the exam	Alex demonstrating a law