20-08-2014, 12:56 PM
Keith Ruxton Wrote:Just thinking aloud here, but perhaps one possibility to give the young guns more games against our titled players would be privately arranged matches? I'm imagining some 2200-2300 improver against some 2300+ "experienced" player (note the diplomatic description). Not sure if anyone would be willing of course but it may have advantages over trying to get the stronger players along to congresses, for example:
1. The improver will get a guaranteed number of games against a strong player. In a congress, even with a number of strong players they are only likely to get a maximum of 1 or 2 games against such opposition.
2. The match could be arranged at convenient location and times for both parties so that a precious weekend is not used up. e.g. could be played one game per week over a number of weeks. After writing this I realised I am truly "experienced" (=old) as obviously this could simply be played online...d'uh
3. From a purely chess point of view I could see this as being more attractive to the stronger player than a congress as they will also get consistent level of opposition (though they would be sacrificing the enormous riches available on the weekend circuit of course)
Just an idea. No matter how you cut and dice it, it always involves the stronger players donating their time in some way or other.
Of course if we had sponsorship then we could emulate the 'rising stars' type of team international event which would be even better...
Cheers,
Keith
If you look on Youtube at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6-uOzt2IY0&list=PLjHC37cPCtB1RpO7ahGXjNTTOggikxU9B">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6-uOzt2 ... TOggikxU9B</a><!-- m --> you will see that IM Greg Shahade regularly posts videos that he makes when participating on an US online Training Tournament (via Internet Chess Club). The games are not rated but they give up and coming players a chance to take on IMs and GMs in a semi-serious format. The cost of running such a thing is Scotland is zero with minimal admin - all it takes is some commitment by titled players to participate. Given that there is no risk to precious FIDE ratings I would have thought that most would be game for the training value to themeselves (I certainly would). Thoughts!?
Cheers,
Graham