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The Campbell Report
Correspondence Chess
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Interviews
 


Per Söderberg

Alan Borwell

Alan Borwell (SCO), Honorary Member and Honorary President of ICCF, has served as ICCF President and ICCF Treasurer as well as in many other capacities. Following is an interview of Alan Borwell by the ICCF Swedish delegate Per Söderberg for the Swedish cc magazine Korrschack. It was published in issue 4/2004 in December 2004. Thanks to Per and Alan for their permission to reproduce this very interesting interview.

Per Söderberg (SWE) is President of the Swedish CC federation SSKK (Sveriges Schackförbunds Korrschackkommitté), edits its magazine Korrschack and is the Swedish delegate to ICCF. He is 47 years of age, father of two children and has a Masters Degree in Engineering Physics. He provided the most extensive report so for on the 2004 Mumbai Congress in India (see Chess Mail 8/2004).



Per Söderberg receives SIM title from
Alan Borwell at the Seixal ICCF Congress

Interview with Alan Borwell
by Per Söderberg
(posted 19 January 2005)

The following extensive interview of Alan Borwell by Per Söderberg done in November 2004. It was originally published in the 4/2004 issue of Korrschack, the print magazine of the Swedish CC federation SSKK (their web site URL: http://www.schack.se/SSKK/). It was conducted before the recent resignation of ICCF president Josef Mrkvicka (CZE).

Photographs of Per above and receiving his Senior International Master (SIM) certificate and medal at the 2002 ICCF Congress in Seixal, Portugal at the right were provided by Per Söderberg (photographers unknown).

PS below indicates the question by Per Söderberg
AB indicates the reply by Alan Borwell

PS

Thank you, Alan, for taking your time to be interviewed for Korrschack Magazine!. We first meet at the ICCF Congress in Perth, Scotland in 1994. You were the main organiser of that Congress and at the time you were the ICCF Treasurer. Can you please give me a summary of your excellent work performed for ICCF up to then?

AB

My first ICCF Congress was in 1981 in London, although I had been involved with Scotland's applications for ICCF membership since 1973! Until the early 1980s there had been combined representation for Great Britain under the auspices of the English-based organisation BPCF. Eventually, England, Scotland and Wales gained recognition from ICCF for the three distinct countries, which form Great Britain. The Scottish CCA organised a memorable ICCF Congress in 1985, where I was appointed Treasurer and became a member of the Presidium. As principal host for that Congress, it was particularly pleasing that we managed to produce Minutes in both English and German, which were handed to delegates at the Closing Banquet. My wife Moira typed the German version and her friend the English one - on manual typewriters! The weather, of course, was typically Scottish!

I could write a book for the period you are asking me about - the way in which ICCF operated, the people involved, the interesting venues - so many fascinating and enjoyable experiences. Many of the immense characters of those days are no longer with us, like Hans-Werner and Bertl von Massow, Henk Mostert, Paul Diaconescu, Prof Zagorovsky, Francek Brglez, John Cleeve, Josef Vandorffy, Reg Gillman and many other great CC friends. We are fortunate that some of the most capable officials from the 1980s and early 1990s are still active in ICCF, including Ragnar Wikman, Nol van 't Riet, Roald Berthelsen and Gerhard Radosztics, with nonogenarians Erik Larsson and Hermann Heemsoth still maintaining interest in ICCF and international CC. The experience and knowledge of these enthusiasts has been invaluable in creating the heritage of ICCF.

I remained as ICCF Treasurer for 12 years, although I also became involved with wider issues, including the drafting and introduction of new ICCF Statutes and organisation of ICCF, including its annual congresses in conjunction with the President. The financial position of ICCF over those years was greatly strengthened but we should never forget the very generous legacy given to ICCF by Hans-Werner von Massow, on his death.

PS

In 1996 the president of ICCF Henk Mostert decided to step down and you were the candidate to take the presidency. Was it a hard decision to take this position?

AB

The year 1996 was a sad one for ICCF and for me personally. I had been very good friends with Henk Mostert for 15 years and we worked together very closely preparing congress arrangements, completing minutes and dealing with various ICCF developments and activities. When Henk became ICCF President, following Hans-Werner's retirement, I became Henk's "right hand man" and we consulted together very regularly, almost daily.

In 1995 and the earlier part of 1996, it was apparent that Henk's health was failing although he tried valiantly to continue to carry out his responsibilities for ICCF and NBC. However, well before the 1996 Congress, he had privately revealed to me his intention to retire at the end of the year, but he did not wish to announce it until the beginning of the Congress. It made succession rather difficult and when I was asked by the other members of the Presidium to become Acting ICCF President on Henk's retiral, I was not very comfortable about doing this. However, I eventually agreed and my appointment was subsequently confirmed in Argentina the following year.

I considered it a great honour to succeed two fine Presidents, Hans-Werner von Massow and Henk J. Mostert.

PS

Yes, I remember very well that I could see in your face a cautioness in Bad Neuenahr at your appointment and its very interesting to now learn why. As you probably very well understand I didn't wish to ask then. But Presidency was for sure not only fame and honour but also a lot of hard work. Can you tell our readers more about what you managed to accomplish for ICCF during your period in office?

AB

It was always my principal aim to do things in a fair and objective way, without special favours to any group or individual. I also endeavoured to uphold the traditions and heritage of ICCF and introduce changes which were in harmony with ICCF's ways of doing things but also to move forwards in a progressive and evolutionary way.

I would like to be remembered as a "pioneering" President, who introduced some initiatives and delivered them! Amongst the developments I have been particularly pleased about were the Jubilee celebrations, with the five sponsored tournaments, including the unique World CC Champions event, the Gold book, new ICCF Statutes (x2!), Congress arrangements and allowances (not just for the President and General Secretary), the Code of Conduct Guidelines, and insisting upon ICCF developing its own dedicated webserver system and facilities.

We have been very fortunate to have some exceptional innovators and achievers in ICCF, like Nol van 't Riet, Gerhard Binder and now the young Chris Lueers, as well as many others, who have contributed enormously.

Of course, in an ever-changing and increasingly demanding world, it has been necessary for ICCF to adapt and develop but, in my opinion, this can be achieved without departing from well-established principles of honesty, openness and good manners in everything we try to do and to uphold our important motto of "amici sumus".

PS

A big advantage for you as President was that you were retired and could really give so much of your time to ICCF. The new development with the internet changed a lot the duties to be president for such a large international federation. Can you share some of it to us to make us understand how much you really did put down a day at the ICCF Office?

AB


Alan Borwell in Mumbai, 2004

Yes, I think that it is beneficial if the ICCF President is not engaged in a full-time occupation and can focus undivided attention to ICCF affairs. I retired from my professional occupation when I was aged 54 (in 1991) so I was ready to assume the responsibilities of ICCF President in 1996, based on considerable ICCF experience.

You are correct in referring to the impact of technology on the duties of ICCF officials. For example, when I was Treasurer, I prepared all accounting schedules manually, but the new Treasurer, Carlos Flores, computerised the ICCF system very capably and it is a great improvement. The impact of the Internet has been enormous.

My "day at the office" used to be dealing with postal communications at a relatively leisurely pace but in latter years they became almost exclusively by email. This dramatically created much greater pressure in dealing with the wide range of issues which are always referred to an ICCF President. For example, on return from two weeks holiday, I would find several hundreds of email messages awaiting attention and urgent response!

I always rise early, around 6.45am each day, and open my incoming email and regularly download it throughout the day. I try to respond the same day, where answers can be given quickly. Even though I am now Honorary President, many people continue to write to me for my views and advice, on a wide range of ICCF topics.

PS

Thank you for all the immense work you did for ICCF! Great achievements!

Last year was a turbulent year, you decided to step down to not accept the full period of 4 years more as president. Which thoughts went through your mind to take this decision?

AB

It was a very difficult decision and, as I explained in Ostrava, I would have preferred to continue for another year or so, to complete the important tasks which I had been very much involved in initiating, e.g. the new Executive Board and Management Committee concept, the ICCF Webserver, Code of Conduct, Arbiter Review, etc.

The timing of the elections (for a four-year period) was not really ideal but my successor had made his intention known to candidate for the Presidency. There are times in one's life when you have to make difficult decisions and last year was one of those for me. According to ICCF Statutes, I could not have continued for more than 4 years anyway, as I would have reached age 70 by the next elections in 2007. I actually initiated this particular clause in the Statutes, as I felt younger people should be encouraged to take ICCF positions in this increasingly demanding world.

PS

You are still behind the scenes I recognize giving helpful hints and support to the present EB group. What is the future for ICCF do you think?

AB

I have been involved with the current EB members quite regularly, particularly in the period prior to the Mumbai Congress and, as you know, I did have a few contributions to make during Congress meetings! Of course, I am available to advise as required by any ICCF officer and am doing this rather often "behind the scenes" although my advice is not always followed!! The future of ICCF is bright, providing that the Congress and the EB make enlightened and properly considered decisions, rather than hasty and/or expedient ones.

PS

During our chat on the flight to Mumbai we talked a lot about the national federations and their future. Especially on their importance in the future. You mean that some of it can be diminishing. Would you like to elaborate this further?

AB

The observation that national federations "might be doomed", which you attributed to me in your recent Chess Mail report on the Mumbai Congress, does not properly represent my opinion! I believe that federations must adapt to a new era of CC and the "market place" which now exists. The age of postal play, printed magazines and where players could only play national and international correspondence chess via the national federations, have passed and we must all try to adapt the 21st Century environment. We will only retain and attract new CC players (and members) if we offer the kind of services they are seeking, rather than simply "expecting them" to become members of national federations as being the only option available to enjoy competitive CC games.

For example, in Scotland, we have moved to an Internet Magazine (we provide printed copies to those without Internet access), we try to keep fees low and are adapting our internal tournaments to meet customer needs. We will join the new ICCF Direct Entry concept, as we think it is a positive step, which will help to encourage new SCCA members, rather than lose more existing members. Players should "want" to be national members, rather than feel they are being "pressured" into membership - nowadays, people have choice and seek value. In my opinion, the loss of members of member federations has not in any way been caused by ICCF policies.

PS

How do you regard the competing CC organisations?

AB

For more than 10 years, I have been involved in all those discussions which ICCF has had with competing CC organisations. On three occasions, we have come quite close to reaching agreement with other bodies but for various reasons these were not realised. The "existence" of other organisations should not be of great concern to ICCF as I do not believe that any of them can offer CC players anything to compare with ICCF's wide range of postal, email and webserver CC tournaments and unique services, e.g. the only valid official World CC titles, established international CC ratings and worldwide coverage of National CC organisations. ICCF is clearly the organisation for all serious CC players who wish to participate in top class events with international recognition.

PS

You were one of the architects behind the Webserver Project. Can you give us your views on this large project?

AB

Yes, I was one of the main architects of the ICCF Webserver concept and have been involved in all stages of its evolution and development. Initially, we had discussions with proprietors of some existing providers but these were not successful, principally because we realised that the best way forward for ICCF would be to develop and own, its dedicated webserver system. Thereafter, there was no point in entering into further discussions with other private system owners/providers for the provision of webserver facilities for ICCF and federations.

In my opinion, since early 2003, the ICCF webserver development has been progressed very well under the excellent guidance of Project Manager Iain Mackintosh, who produced the system specification and related implementation timetable and resource schedules, which were formally approved by the Ostrava Congress. Iain and I met Martin Bennedik in early October 2003, when we arranged for the programming contract and Martin along with Dr. Ambar Chatterjee and others, including the test team, have achieved the goals which had been set for the first phase of the system. It became operational well within twelve months of that meeting and my congratulations go to all those involved. Although I handed over Chairmanship of the Webserver Steering Group to my successor in Ostrava, I have agreed to resume as Chairman of the new Webserver Development Steering Committee, which will oversee the further ongoing enhancements of the ICCF webserver system.

PS

What did you expect from the Mumbai Congress?

AB


Alan Borwell with AICCF president Prasad Dalvi in Mumbai, 2004

I expected some very long meetings and some quite exciting discussions and I was not disappointed! However, I believe the 2004 Congress was very successful and many important decisions were taken, which will greatly influence the future of ICCF. It was good to have the participation of new World CC Champion Tunc Hamarat, who made some valuable contributions to the debates, as well as participating fully in the programme of events.

I will not make detailed comments here, as decisions of Congress will be covered in full in the official Minutes. Better arrangements need to be made for the early production and release of draft Congress Minutes (to try to avoid inaccurate and misleading reports appearing prematurely on websites and in commercial magazines !).

However, I would like to say that the vision which both ICCF and AICCF had several years ago to hold an ICCF Congress in India, was accomplished very successfully. First discussions about this possibility were with the late Haresh Samtani and it was a great pleasure for me to meet and have a conversation with Mrs. Samtani and their son Mahender, before the Opening Ceremony. The Congress was held in a perfect hotel and location and it was superbly organised by Dr. Ambar Chatterjee, President Prasad Dalvi and AICCF colleagues and friends.

PS

It's for the first time in Asia, which shows how the ICCF family is growing. But otherwise it seems to be hard to find organisers. What do you think needs to be improved to host a Congress?

AB

It was another milestone in ICCF's history for the Congress to be held for the first time in Asia and, since I became President, it is satisfying to me that we have now visited four continents of the world, i.e. Asia, Europe, and North and South America. In Mumbai, I was privileged to be the custodian of the proxy for Australia and in my opinion, it would be tremendous if the ICCF Congress could be held in Australasia, some time in the not too distant future. I am currently participating in one of the tournaments to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Cecil Purdy's success in the 1st CC World Championship and our CCLA friends are organising several international, including the recently started ICCF World Cup XIV. They are a very progressive national federation.

I believe that the decision taken by the Mumbai Congress regarding the financial responsibilities for hosting ICCF congresses has improved the likelihood of more countries offering to be hosts in future years. Having organised two congresses in a small country like Scotland (in 1985 and 1994), I can say that it is possible and it is a most enjoyable and rewarding experience. In years gone by, there was more contact between ICCF and FIDE and in my opinion it would be very good for both organisations if a future ICCF Congress was to be held immediately after a FIDE Olympiad/Congress and I think this concept should be actively pursued by the EB.

PS

Then I would like to ask you about your personal life and life as a chessplayer.

When did you first get in touch with chess?

AB

I was a relatively late starter in learning the play the game of chess. My cousin visited me when I think I was about 15 years of age and taught my how to play and within two years I was top board of the school team and playing for York Chess Club. Earlier this year, I attended a reunion of York Chess Club and reflected on those early days and the development of chess in the York area more than 50 years ago. It was a nice occasion!

PS

Have you continued to play in a club?

AB

Just before I moved from York to Edinburgh for business reasons in 1965, York Chess Club had achieved the notable distinction of winning the British National Club Championship, beating Oxford University in the Final. I played on board 4, with top board being Michael Haygarth versus Jonathan Penrose, both British Champions!

In my first year in Edinburgh, I won the East of Scotland area tournament and was nominated to play in the 1966 British Championship in Sunderland. After 3 rounds, I was joint leader having played Frank Parr, P.N Wallis and Dr. J.M.Aitken and then I met and lost an exciting game against Jonathan Penrose (which was published in The Times!) Thereafter, I had mixed fortunes, playing Michael Haygarth, P.S. Milner Barry, Peter Clarke and Owen Hindle, and finished with 5.5 points from 11 games. I remember being tired at the end but feeling very privileged to have played so many of the top British chess players and personalities of those times!

I played for Edinburgh Chess Club, then Bearsden in Glasgow and for Perth CC, after I moved permanently to the Perth area in 1971. I gave up regular over the board play in the 1980s, but have just started a new Chess Club in the Carse of Gowrie, principally to encourage youngsters, who I coach in three of the local schools.

PS

Good Luck to you with this! I used to coach youngsters myself during more than a decade. It's a lot of work but also enjoyable and rewarding!

Finally you changed over to CC. Anything in particular you remember? Persons and results which were important?

AB

I remember sitting next to Hermann Heemsoth at the London Congress in 1981 and playing blitz games with him during the meetings (there were interminable translations in those days !) - we started our long friendship!. Hermann invited me to play in the Kurt-Klar Memorial GM tournament, but I was rather out of my depth and although having good games, my final score was poor. One of my better earlier CC results was in the 1960s when I won the Postal Chess Club Championship (organised by Baruch Wood's Chess magazine) Of course, I remember with affection the Scottish Magazine 10th Anniversary international tournament, in which I achieved my IM title. Moira and I produced 72 editions of the SCCA Magazine over 20 years!.

My most memorable Congress game was defeating the "unbeatable" Prof. Zagorovsky in the Blitz tournament at the Peebles 1985 Congress, but I had to settle for runners up place, behind my friend Hermann Heemsoth.

PS

I would of course also like to ask you about Erik Larsson? Maybe a short story on Harry Åhman or Sture Nyman, which could be interesting to our readers.

AB

I remember all of these CC friends with great affection. Erik and Svea were at all of my early Congresses and I always wrote a poem in Svea's little book, which was a nice tradition started in the 1980s just like the postcards. When Harry Åhman came to Peebles, he bought a tammy (Scottish cap), but he lost it and was disconsolate, so his wife asked me to get another for him, which she gave him as a surprise Christmas present. The Åhmans and Nymans and their wives were inseparable and they thoroughly enjoyed their visits to ICCF Congresses.

PS

You are married and your wife Moira is an important supporter of ICCF and has also performed a lot of work for ICCF. She is a most appreciated guest to many Congresses even though she didn't come this time. Can you tell me more about your family and their chess interest?

AB

Moira is a tremendous supporter of my CC activities and has quietly performed great work herself for ICCF for more than 20 years. She has typed thousands of reports, documents, accounts and letters, meetings minutes, title certificates and has given valuable advice and opinion on many matters, especially when times were tough. She has attended 10 ICCF Congresses and only family commitments have prevented her attending many more - I hope very much she will be able to come to Argentina next year, which will be my 25th successive Congress!

My son Niall was a good chess player at Primary School and he still plays a little but Claire(15) is not interested! Both of them have been to ICCF Congresses, especially during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Hans-Werner was very fond of children and encouraged families to attend Congress. We were always made to feel welcome!

PS

Would you like to share with us a little of your professional background and work?

AB

My early training was as an Accountant, but I became a Company Secretary and then moved into Personnel Management (Human Resources as it is called nowadays!). After several years as Group Personnel Manager for the largest international company based in Scotland, I was appointed Branch Operations Manager for the UK, with responsibility for nearly 200 offices and 10'000 employees. After retiring from full time employment in 1991, I worked as part time business consultant for Scottish Enterprise, advising companies and organisations on business planning and human resource policies. I fully retired from gainful occupation in 1998, but I am now much involved with local youth cricket, the church, choral society, probus club - so I am not really very retired :-)

PS

Finally I would like to thank you again for our most pleasant chat! Is there anything you would like to tell our Swedish readers?

AB

It has been a great pleasure to provide this interview for arguably the best long running correspondence chess magazine for members and I wish you, Korrschack and the Swedish CC federation every success in the future.

I am happy that it will also be made available to other publishers, but only with our specific mutual agreement.

PS

I'm sure that this will be no problem. Many thanks for this interview and our readers will be thrilled by reading all this about such a well-known person in the ICCF, it was truly great that you could take your time for this and I wish you a lot of success in the continuing work on the Web server. I'm sure that we will see an increase of your results as cc player and my best wishes for your future work for ICCF and for your chess play!

© 2004 Korrschack magazine, SSKK, Lund, Sweden. All rights reserved. Reprinted here by permission of editor Per Söderberg

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