25-03-2015, 12:40 AM
There are a lot of other competitions where clubs field smaller teams. It's nice having the Richardson over 8. Admittedly, my stance is probably influenced by the fact that I play for one of the teams that doesn't have a problem fielding 8 people - I wouldn't get many Richardson games if matches were over 6 boards, though I doubt I'd give up chess.
That said, there are a good few clubs which can at least usually still put together 8-board teams comfortably. How many more teams would actually enter the Richardson if that requirement was reduced? As Keith points out, it's not as if clubs are queuing up for the Spens.
(I like the quote marks around 'central', Hamish. Does that mean you're worried that we'd end up holding it on an oil rig or something?)
That said, there are a good few clubs which can at least usually still put together 8-board teams comfortably. How many more teams would actually enter the Richardson if that requirement was reduced? As Keith points out, it's not as if clubs are queuing up for the Spens.
(I like the quote marks around 'central', Hamish. Does that mean you're worried that we'd end up holding it on an oil rig or something?)