22-12-2011, 11:29 AM
Derek,
I would not list names simply because that is not fair but I would not exclude Jonny from the list certainly on his first tournie, when he really struggled: which was a mixture of inexperience and not being strong enough to compete.
I simply look at the grading list and do not see where the players are who have benefited from the existing policy. Andy claims there are some players but has produced no evidence. I am actually sure that there will be some players who are better players for the experience but that really is not the point. Have a look sown the lists of past participants and you will find quite a number for whom it was one of their last events and/or who have not significantly improved in strength since.
My experience of these events has been that yes a lot of chess is played but the training and practice was somewhat relaxed and ad hoc.
To me its about whether you are serious about it or not. Do you want players to just have an experience, or to be as good as they can be at chess?
I would not list names simply because that is not fair but I would not exclude Jonny from the list certainly on his first tournie, when he really struggled: which was a mixture of inexperience and not being strong enough to compete.
I simply look at the grading list and do not see where the players are who have benefited from the existing policy. Andy claims there are some players but has produced no evidence. I am actually sure that there will be some players who are better players for the experience but that really is not the point. Have a look sown the lists of past participants and you will find quite a number for whom it was one of their last events and/or who have not significantly improved in strength since.
My experience of these events has been that yes a lot of chess is played but the training and practice was somewhat relaxed and ad hoc.
To me its about whether you are serious about it or not. Do you want players to just have an experience, or to be as good as they can be at chess?