| N.C. Class Poorly
Designed; NCCA Asleep at the Wheel, Again?! by
NM Leland Fuerstman 10-28-11 Over the past few weeks, I have been approached by a number of concerned North Carolina chess players who are unhappy with the design of the upcoming 2011 North Carolina Class Championships. Though the organizer is guaranteeing a 75% payback, (a minimum percentage for which I have lobbied for years), the distribution of that money has come into question? The main complaint is that there are no "lower half" class prizes? For example, a player who is rated in the "low" 1400's, 1600's, 1800's or 2000's is required to compete with players who have ratings upwards of 200 points higher? Yet, even if they upset a few of them, there are no specific cash prizes for the Under 1500, 1700, 1900, 2100 player? In effect, it neglects the rights and interests of approximately half of the participants? It would not have cost the organizer one extra cent to simply reserve the bottom two cash prizes in each section for that purpose. (And, it might not be too late!) Hence, except to pay an almost $100 entry fee to play 5 difficult games of chess, it is far more likely that only higher rated players in each class will be attracted to participate in the event. Or, you may be one of those who believes that you are going to upset everyone! In that case, this tournament would be perfect for you... Good luck! I have organized and directed hundreds of chess tournaments over the past 35 years including the North Carolina Class Championship on a number of occasions. The design of my event ALWAYS included attractive cash prizes for the "lower half" players, as well! And, a trophy was presented to each. That way, a player could announce that he was this year's 1200, 1300, 1400, etc. Champion of the state! This event completely ignores that idea. It should be understood, that though it is called the "2011 North Carolina Class Championships," this tournament is actually organized by out-of-state promoter Thad Rogers from Macon, Georgia. His company, American Chess Promotions, is the very outfit which often profits from the sales of books and equipment to NC players at most of our large events. And, according to current policy, since an official accounting is rarely, if ever published, it will be difficult to determine whether the NCCA will profit at all from this event?! (One would think they would attempt to recoup some of the losses incurred at the recent NCO?!) Whether his dubious design was intentional or simply an error of omission, it is still wrong? What concerns me is that though the NCCA has apparently approved the event, as usual, no one bothered to carefully review the tournament information ahead of time in order to insure that all North Carolina players would be accommodated. Again, someone was "asleep at the wheel." Have a nice day, NM Leland Fuerstman |