Carolinas Chess Festival Not Without Its Problems... "special thanks to Frank Johnson??"
By Jason "1st Amendment" Mytrysak

The following is a post from ChessBase:
"The Friday evening saw the arrival of the entrants of the North Carolina Open and along with it, some chaos. Several participants of the U.S. Masters came down to the original playing hall to find it empty and were a tad confused. We had been moved to the main ballroom; a bigger, brighter, but warmer function room. However, there was a lack of communication for this move, which led a few chess players astray. No one missed time off their clock, however, as the game was delayed significantly. I had a bad feeling that the tournament was going to go downhill, like in my previous experience. It was getting on for 7.30pm and I could foresee a 1am finish for my game. I discovered that the delay was not only due to approximately 300 extra people arriving, but also complaints about the pairing and demands for them to be changed. I could not imagine what the organizers were going through at this time! We were thankful to finally get on the way with our games, and needless to say, I finished around 1am! Typical! Thankfully, I won my game against an IM, so was at least tired but happy!" Sabrina Chevannes

So, a certain amount of chaos was experienced in the Master section due to  moving from room to room. And, using the wrong rating supplement for the NC Open caused further confusion when both groups played in the same area?! The event was clearly "not without its problems."

I'm sorta' new to organized chess. And, I seem to have caught the chess bug - really bad! I'm generally one of the first players to arrive at the Charlotte Chess Club on Wednesday evenings and probably the last one to leave! (Jason took his first 1500 scalp last Wednesday! LF) After the tournament game, players hang around and analyze on the demo board and play speed chess... gives me the opportunity to learn something from stronger players!!

I really had intended to participate in the NC Open. Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances didn't allow me to go. But, after speaking to a number of CCC members who did play, I'm sorta' glad I didn't. From what I understand, most of the attention by the Directors and Organizers was given to the Masters Section. Anyway, how could they promote two major tournaments at the same time and give equal consideration to both? NMLF's reference to a "3 ringed circus" makes me think that the organizers may have bitten off more than they could chew?! I don't want to step on any toes here but from what I heard, they lost money on the event(s)?! However, I have not seen any accounting posted anywhere? Nor did they even list the amount of prize money each champion won? Why are these guys so secret?

Obviously, it takes many support people to conduct a major event. So, why did they double up and include the NC Open? From what I was told, there were not enough Directors on either floor. Also, from what I have read, there were people listed as "Directors" who either did not qualify for their position or didn't really do anything? Why was it necessary to bring people up from Georgia to be Directors in North Carolina? Don't we have enough qualified Directors in this state? Regardless, the official USCF printout shows Local TD Frank Johnson playing in 6 games of the Under 2000 Section yet he is listed as the Chief Tournament Director for the U1700 Section? How could he perform the duties of a Chief Tournament Director and participate as a player at the same time?? Besides, his final round opponent reported that "he didn't see any name tag on him." So, why would he deserve special thanks??

It was also reported that they gave all kinds of freebies to the GM's and IM's like free entry, free hotel room, free beer! and pay for lectures, etc. What did they give to the top players in the NC Open? There is no question that the Open was upstaged by the Masters section. In my opinion, it should have been two different tournaments on two different weekends. That way, our own North Carolina players could be recognized for their skills.

Respectfully,
Jason "1st Amendment" Mytrysak