Dear Richard,
sorry, that you will get first to-day an answer in respect to your proposal of 18th August - chest game. I sent your letter to our President Heinz Kuckertz to discuss it at the meeting of our Club Council at the beginning of September. On the following meeting the President read your letter in public and asked the numerous members if there were members who could play chess because the RC of Ocean Grove in Australia would be very keen to strengthen the bridge of friendship by an international game outlining the basic points of such an intercontinental game course. I myself was only an onlooker for a short time. But I had no rest and time for an average length of that game. I was surprised when nobody in our club plays chest. Only some play SKAT a typical German card game. Skiffle and tennis are the hobbies which are carried through by some members.
Sigrid and me we experienced the Australian enthusiasm for many sports and games. The Australian results at the Olympic Games in Athens were impressing.
Germans are interested in football, the European version, mostly as onlookers on the TV screen. So, your good idea cannot find a response because of lack of chest players. Nevertheless, the idea shows that Ocean Grove is very active!
I'll send you in future our magazine but not as e-mail with annex. It would be too expensive by numerous photos which, furthermore, would not show the quality.
Please, send me your postal address to put it on our mail list.
Many greetings, yours in Rotary - Heinz
Original proposal...
18 August 2004
Mr. Heinz Tonn
Rotary Club Salzgitter-Wolfenbuttel-Vorharz
Dear Heinz,
Greetings from the Rotary Club of Ocean Grove.
Recently at our club, we spoke of ways to develop our connection and friendship with you, our sister club. I proposed the following idea.
We would like to invite your club to participate in a friendly international Chess game.
The requirements would be as follows:
An agreement between clubs to participate.
Someone to donate/loan a chessboard that can be kept at each meeting venue.
A Chess Captain to supervise the decision to make a move each week and record the move.
Approval to conduct the competition, and a resolve to have the move made, before a pre-determined time.
An internet player to make the same move on the internet, and report the sister club’s move to the Chess Captain each week.
A link on our web site to allow members from both teams to observe the game.
Discussion on the possibility of a prize/trophy – I suggest a bottle of local wine from the losing team, to be shared at the Chess Captain’s table.
An attitude of international good will, chess education, fair play, inclusive participation and fun.
In summary, I propose that each club have a chessboard, that one move is made each week under the supervision of a chess captain. Members would be encouraged to be involved and a prize to be agreed upon before the competition begins.
I have made some investigations into the internet facility for chess online and it looks quite easy to manage.
I am very keen to know what you think of this idea and look forward to your reply.
Warm regards from Australia
Richard Grimmett
Rotary Club of Ocean Grove
