11-09-2017, 10:19 AM
Andrew Greet wrote; "Today I checked again and noticed Kirkcaldy. The top section for this one is limited to players rated under 2000, which rules out the top 83 Scottish players on the latest FIDE list."
Not correct, there is a "Masters" section open to all but offering no prize money at all. The prize is a free place in a future event in Largs (saving the £45 entry fee). As I have written elsewhere, I doubt there are many (any?) who would see that as an incentive to play. When I pointed it out to the organiser, the response was "if you don't like it, don't play" Hmm...I guess he's not bothered to attract players like me, then, so I will pass.
Personally, unless I have a conflict, I would play most weekenders as long as there is at least some presence of a few 1900+ players and there is a prize to play for. Like Andrew, I object in principle to events not giving the highest prize to the winner of the top event. Even though I object, I would probably wave my objection if the prize was at least on a parity with lower sections and there was some competitive chess to be had. Personally, I have no concern about FIDE ratings and would play any time control on offer.
As a broader observation, I feel CS and tournament organisers are overly focussed on junior chess. It feels to me that anyone with a degree of talent and who puts in hard work will find ample opportunity to participate up to the age of 18 at which point the game drops off a cliff and you need to be willing to play overseas or 4NCL to progress further. The Scottish Championship is the sole exception to this but does require a 9 day commitment which many cannot give if they have family and work commitments. Personally I would love to see more events over a weekend or single day that could attract similar entrants to the Scottish. The Scottish Blitz a few year ago was fantastic in this respect and it's a shame it has not kept going. Andrew also points out, some events actually will exclude people who are likely to play. After all you do not get to 2000+ without some hard work and commitment which probably means your interested to play some chess. The idea that anyone would run events that exclude you because of you have worked hard and had some success is just perverse (but somehow quite Scottish I think).
Not correct, there is a "Masters" section open to all but offering no prize money at all. The prize is a free place in a future event in Largs (saving the £45 entry fee). As I have written elsewhere, I doubt there are many (any?) who would see that as an incentive to play. When I pointed it out to the organiser, the response was "if you don't like it, don't play" Hmm...I guess he's not bothered to attract players like me, then, so I will pass.
Personally, unless I have a conflict, I would play most weekenders as long as there is at least some presence of a few 1900+ players and there is a prize to play for. Like Andrew, I object in principle to events not giving the highest prize to the winner of the top event. Even though I object, I would probably wave my objection if the prize was at least on a parity with lower sections and there was some competitive chess to be had. Personally, I have no concern about FIDE ratings and would play any time control on offer.
As a broader observation, I feel CS and tournament organisers are overly focussed on junior chess. It feels to me that anyone with a degree of talent and who puts in hard work will find ample opportunity to participate up to the age of 18 at which point the game drops off a cliff and you need to be willing to play overseas or 4NCL to progress further. The Scottish Championship is the sole exception to this but does require a 9 day commitment which many cannot give if they have family and work commitments. Personally I would love to see more events over a weekend or single day that could attract similar entrants to the Scottish. The Scottish Blitz a few year ago was fantastic in this respect and it's a shame it has not kept going. Andrew also points out, some events actually will exclude people who are likely to play. After all you do not get to 2000+ without some hard work and commitment which probably means your interested to play some chess. The idea that anyone would run events that exclude you because of you have worked hard and had some success is just perverse (but somehow quite Scottish I think).