Master Class 2004
In 2004 a few members of Bangor Chess Club organised a series of lectures to be held during the summer at the Rudolf Steiner School in Holywood. The goal was to provide a venue for coaching by senior players from the club and possibly others from within the Union. The coaching sessions would be styled as Master Classes.
The format of the event was
- Provide a review of the previous session so that some continuity could be developed along a single theme for the duration of the series
- Provide a Question & Answer session to relax the presenters
- The formal presentation on a topic chosen by the Master
- Break for lunch
- The afternoon session an informal time to include workshops to elaborate on the morning's subject and possibly a mini-tournament to give players an opportunity to put theory into practice.
The venue in Holwood was secured and a variety of equipment offered to leaders including a computer with projector to illustrate games and a regular static board.
Due to time contraints, only three sessions were held :
- Arlo White: Middle-game, opposite coloured Bishops
- Steve Scannell: Opening Pawn structures; positional theory
- Eddie Whiteside; (details lost)
The quality of presentations was very good, the presenters enjoyed the event and the content was very well received. In general the sessions were well supported considering the limited promotion of the event. The majority of attendees were Bangor members.
It was expected that with better preparation, more students would attend so a series was planned for 2005