5.C Developments and Directions In Canadian Chess

[Vladimir Drkulec]

This is a thread to discuss some new developments and directions in Canadian Chess.

Currently we seem to have entered into a period of growth in the size of the chess community. We are beneficiaries of a number of favourable trends including a good economy and an influx of Canadians who are interested in chess for their children and in some cases for themselves. We also have some new organizers who are making a big splash and organizing new and popular tournaments.

There are some worrisome trends with runaway government spending which will impact us somewhat peripherally but will likely impact us. I worry a bit for the provincial affiliates that depend on government grants which could dry up as budgets need to be squeezed. For the most part we are able to stand on our own without the help of governments but the situation in provinces with generous governments could turn if we don't engage with politicians and tell our story and the good that we are doing for our participants (children and adults).

We have to not only market what we do to potential players and their parents but also to the governments and opposition politicians who might one day become governments.