I am very happy to say that I shall be visiting Luton Chess Club this summer. It’s my home club and has members I have been playing competitive chess with wince the 80s. I haven’t yet visited it in its new location, which I am told is impressive indeed. I’m also not sure how many members it has too. What has been gleaned from chat with friends is the club is growing and may well be able to re-enter the league next year. I have been asked to become the club president a few time but had to decline the offer since I am usually abroad, however, inevitably that will happen, its just a question of when.
As you might expect, lots of pics and videos to follow. I’ll try to have some of my games caught on film but only where I play well, so I should only have to film a few thousand of them!
More info to come in due course, most likely a visit to Bedford Chess Club is in order too!
Mark. J. McCready, 22.39 Wednesday April 26th,
Laski, Bangkok
McCreadyandChess 
Dear Mr Mccready
As author of Soutthern Counties Chess Union- a retrospective I must say that I an disappointed you I fail to get copyright. You have extracted huge swathes of my book pertaining to Bedfordshire Chess without my permission. On assumption you have purchased a copy of my book you will see that copyright does apply
Although I’m flattered you have used my book it is unfortunate you have taken the action you have.
I would ask that you take down the material with immediate effect.
Thank you
Anthony
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I wasn’t aware that I was making a mistake. I didn’t think it applied to website. If I were writing a book, sure I understand where you are coming from but I wasn’t aware this applied to websites too. One of the main aims of my site is to give an account of the history of bedfordshire chess, that’s why I bought your book, and apart from visit the British library in person myself I don’t know where else I could get such information. Apologies if it has offended you, that was not my intention, its just that when I have written articles before, nearly everyone in my county has read them and asked for more. I can remove the content if you so wish although I am not sure why you’d want me to do that as I thought it might inspire people to buy your book, which I can also do. I can modify things, suggesting that or I can remove all the content from your book (which admittedly I don’t really understand). Just let me know which you prefer. I do think your publication is well worth publishing and I don’t mind at all reviewing it but if you prefer that all content to it is removed then just let me know. No harm was meant, just let me know what you want me to do then I will do that.
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Hi Mark Thanks for getting back to me so quickly and thank you for the apology. Thanks also for the endorsement of my book, although not a historian by profession I do believe my book is a valuable addition to English chess history. I recognise that you did not intend to offend but unfortunately for you copyright does also apply to websites! I don’t mind if you do a review as after all it is your opinion, ‘make of it what you will’ and so long as nothing slanderous or defamatory you are entitled to opinion. By doing a review individuals are encouraged to purchase which after all is the aim of writing a book! Certainly, you using brief extracts of the formation of Bedfordshire is agreeable as may be using tables of Fleming competition as no longer under purview of SCCU, but comprehensively copying and pasting ALL references to the SCCU competitions that Bedfordshire participated in, e.g. along with the table of statistics and my analysis of said statistics is really not on and MUST be taken down. In 70years time you or your successor will be able to do what you’ve done as you did with the book Chess in Bedfordshire but not right now. I am more than happy to check any review you wish to publish and give it go ahead. You may wish to add to your thoughts to the thread of the ECF Forum The Southern Counties Chess Union – a retrospective – English Chess Forum (ecforum.org.uk)
I appreciate that you do wish to ensure there are comprehensive records for Bedfordshire made available but when the source you are using has only been recently published you really ought to seek permission first to see what you can do. Please consider my position if ALL current or former SCCU counties were to do what you did, it would undermine the purpose of the book which took me well over a decade to write. My aim is somewhat greater than yours as I aim to ensure there are comprehensive records for ALL SCCU counties not just one! In short the reason why I flag this up is that if you fail to take down the content you do open yourself to legal action as you are in breach of copyright law. Copyright applies to ALL forms of publications including websites. For someone who is a fellow chess historian I really don’t want to go down that routeway as we both have the interests of chess at heart.
Sorry that this may scupper aims of your website but I think you can appreciate I must protect my interests, certainly financially as by publishing the entirety of Bedforshire history on your site you disincentivise individuals to purchase my book as individuals have ready access to the information contained in my book! Granted they may not want all of the information but this is the risk/reward of any collective purchase. If you want to commission me to write a summary of the information in the book for your website more than happy to oblige. I have done so for one or two other counties already. I look forward to hearing from you. Regards Anthony
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Okay fair point I will remove them as requested. Just give me 10 mins or so
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Hi Mark Thanks for understanding. As stated sorry that I do undermine the aims of your website but in time the information you have posted will be made freely available. Regards Anthony
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It’s quite alright, like you said, if everyone copied me it would affect the sales of your book, and that’s not fair on you at all. I have removed everything. If anything still shows I will double check and try again but I am pretty sure its all gone. Sorry if I hurt your feelings in anyway, it certainly wasn’t intentional.
Bye
Mark
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Hi MarkThanks for confirming you have removed information. I will double check and let you know if anything missed.I know not intentional but as you observe if everyone were to do the same then I’d be snookered!Look forward to reading your review.RegardsAnthony
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Something seems to have gone slightly wrong here. I have replied but my reply isn’t showing, if you could respond, then I will know it was sent. If you didn’t recieve it let me know and I will send again.
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It’s quite alright, I am trying to edit a post where I try to explain how I very, very, very nearly lost my life, which happened only 5 days ago but its not exactly easy to write about. I am trying to edit that and remove the content related to your book at the same time. Should be done in 15 mins
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