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Spectacle Falls on Deaf Ears, and Blind Eyes So, Where Is Their Tournament Report? by NM Leland Fuerstman Last Saturday, April 19, one of the many local scholastic chess associations, the CCCSA, decided, at the last minute of course, to provide live "real time" commentation of some of the games of their 3 round event. For a week or so, they advertised that NM Peter Giannatos and NM Matthew Noble would be the co-hosts. But, when the distinctive accent of my old friend LM Neal Harris from "Edneyville, NC" came over the line, I realized that some last minute changes had been made. I am very familiar with these live presentations. In fact, after I linked the 2013 world championship match to the Charlotte Chess Club website whereupon observers could watch the real time action with annotations and comments from of some of the strongest Grandmasters in the world, I was disappointed to learn how few of our players actually paid any attention to it?! But, a handful of us (chess geeks, weirdos, shut-ins, retirees and the unemployed!? LOL) thought it was pretty cool! First of all, I believe that their novel attempt to broadcast those games was a bold and progressive effort on their part! However, it certainly doesn't make up for 4 or 5 years of neglect for their NOT having posted any games or tournament reports on their website(s). Nor has any report of this well touted event been made available to the chess public? A slick, modernly designed website is one thing; content is another... So, last Saturday morning, I went to their website and tried to access the blow by blow action! Curiously, there were no instruction explaining how to do so. So, I began clicking on anything I could see. Finally, it directed me to my "Facebook" account from which I believe I was able to access the page?! That took about 10 minutes... When it finally did come up, I could plainly hear the voices of the 2 commentators (and a few kids in the background), but the diagrams were way too small for me to see. Nor could I read the names of the players? Finally, they mentioned their names and began analyzing. I was not surprised at all by the technical knowledge of both of the "celebrities" and, being a Master myself, appreciated all of their comments as being accurate, precise and informative! However, it may have been a bit heady for the other 8 viewers... who may not have been able to keep up with their technical explanations... I actually observed for quite some time. In between technical glitches and too many forced advertisements (that's part of the deal), once things began to heat up in one game, they promptly switched to another? Nor did their system have the feature which would allow you to review the entire game up to that point. I'm sure that the game of an 1800 player has some merit, but they might have considered just sticking to the top board... Finally, a few times, during the hour or so that I was watching in between advertisements, the system froze up and took 5 or so minutes to restore? Unable to access their live broadcast after noon, I had to wonder whether it was my computer, or did their equipment fail? Or, maybe they just decided not to proceed with it... who knows, since the only thing published on their website only gives the names of the two winners and has a link to the USCF printout? Look people, chess tournament organizers generate a profit. (some greater than others: Asheboro CC pays back 95%, CCC 75%, CCCSA appx. 66%) Part of the responsibility of conducting a rated event is to promptly publish a complete report. Neglecting that is cheating people out of their money!? In my opinion, that is one of the major responsibilities for which they are being paid. It certainly isn't the energy required to act as a Tournament Director? Since Chief TD Giannatos was commentating, and his inexperienced assistant TD played all 3 rounds of the event, exactly who was minding the store? According to another pundit, "what would have happened if a situation had occurred requiring the Directors attention?...besides, according the rules, a Tournament Director should be available on the playing floor at all times..." He goes on to question if the players, themselves, "had any say so in whether their games could be broadcast;" considering the necessary use of equipment they have never seen or even the idea that everyone is watching - "which may even affect their style of play?!" That further begs the question as to how they will control the use of electronic devices, such as a common smart phone, which can broadcast analysis of their own games in real time? Apparently, there are still a number of problems which need to be addressed. In a nutshell, if they actually intend to repeat their "broadcast," a number of technical issues should be resolved, first. Since it was, as usual, a hastily planned idea, considering the amount of time and energy which was expended on this curiosity, and considering the paucity of "viewers," some question the value of repeating it? One member commented that, "it was like they are trying to go from crawling, to running a 100 yard dash over night...?!" Another said, "I watched for a few minutes... but, frankly, I found it to be incredibly boring?!" Still, their website has since NOT included any formal report of their "spectacular" event, whatsoever? This entire affair raises an important question. Since Giannatos so proudly displays his credentials which include Vice President of Scholastics of the NCCA, why has he not shared some of his knowledge and expertise with their so called "webmaster" in order to improve the quality of the website? Because, the NCCA Website is a joke?! Unless, of course, you are still interested in seeing the results of the "2013" North Carolina Championship or the notable success of 3rd grader Triyakshari Venkataraja who finished 24th on the Magnet School list?? Who is responsible for updating their information? Would someone please send a telegram to the Dictator and ask him to do his job? Flash!!: It has now been brought to my attention, that a couple of those games from last week were actually "published on ChaCha's website?!" Well, that's nice... So why has that not been mentioned on the CCCSA website? But worse, why haven't they already been published on the NCCA website, since (I am told) ChaCha is being paid $150 per month to be the webmaster? (for doing what?) Can anyone say "conflict of interest?!" The current NCCA administration is completely out of control... As for the CCCSA, my suggestion that they trade links with the CCC fell on deaf ears. Since the CCC has been around for almost 40 years, it would be naturally respectful not to conflict with Wednesday evenings. In effect, we only request 1/7th of the evenings out of a week and allow them 6/7th. But, apparently, that was not good enough for Giannatos who, instead of using the evening for a scholastic event, decided to conduct rated G29 tournaments? Yet, curiously, though the schedule is clearly advertised on his website, there is no evidence that any such event has actually ever taken place on the official USCF list of rated events?! Some see this as a "disservice to local players who might drive long distances to their location only to realize that no one else showed up?!" Instead of trying to act like such a big shot and promise the world, maybe a bit less "deception" and more "accurate" reporting of their events would be in order. Another curious member asked, "I wonder how their Parents Night Out 'baby-sitting' service worked out?!..." As for the Charlotte Chess Club, our turnouts at the Skyland Family Restaurant have never been better! Adult chess players from 2 states enjoy dining, socializing with other adults and playing one rated game of chess each Wednesday evening at 7:45pm sharp! And, it's a great place to gain rating points. Debs Pedigo went 5-0 in our last event and gained 212 points!! I'll see you at the Charlotte Chess Club! I remain, NM Leland Fuerstman Charlotte Chess Club Knights Templar IX May 3, at the Dowd "Y". |