| Invitational
Comes and Goes With Little Fanfare?! No Article on NCCA Website?? Rules "Bent" Before and During Event?! By NM Leland Fuerstman Now that the 2014 NC Invitational has concluded, I checked the NCCA website: www.ncchess.org to see if I could find an article about a progressive event which incorporated the use of real time game posting! But, unfortunately, other than a generic crosstable listing the participants and a link to their games, the name of the winner, FM Robin Cunningham, is not even mentioned?! Much less his image, or the image of any of the other players, nor their personal information, nor any narrative about the results? So, what's new? (Will someone please tell them that they may cut and paste my article from www.charlottechess.com) --- Now, don't get me wrong... in my estimation, a significant amount of work went into producing those games on-line, the bulk of which I monitored myself! However, some viewers complained about the fact that (1) you could not play the games through from move one in order to see how they arrived at each position; (2) there was no indication of the amount of time that each player had left, which surely adds more suspense to the contest (3) there were significant lag times between moves. (4) and when you clicked on "watch individual game" the grid was much larger than the screen? Another member complained that (5) the posting of games from a conflicting scholastic event was a distraction which caused further time delays?! But, all in all, the addition of the real time games was appreciated by chess players from all over the state! "How many" is hard to determine since that feature was also removed. After all of the glitches are repaired, and the other features added, I strongly encourage them to use an engine in future important events! However, the Selection Committee for the event left a lot to be desired. If they were really following their own rules, neither Expert Dominique Myers nor FM Robin Cunningham would have qualified to participate. Their rules state, "...must be a member of the USCF and NCCA for 6 months prior to the event." Myers expired on December 2013 and did not renew. Cunningham had not been a member for some time... The consequence is, other "qualified" players, such as Jonathon McNeill and Daniel Cremisi were not given the opportunity to participate. And, according to the printout, Rudolph Abate was the Tournament Director. If so, why did one of the "participants" have one of his student choose player numbers for the pairings? Though, it was pointed out to me that both Giannatos and Myers played with the White pieces 3 times, I can only deduce that to be pure co-incidence. However, many viewers were disappointed that the Sunday morning encounter between those same two players was cancelled? According to Abate, "Myers had a 'family emergency' whereupon "one of his relatives had to be rushed to the hospital??" (I certainly hope that his family member is recovering...) Yet, Myers was able to return to play round 5. According to the printout, both players were issued Half point Byes? It should have been a "loss forfeit" for Myers and a "win forfeit" for Giannatos. Regardless, unplayed games are not rated. The question is, since this was a Round Robin event where Half point Byes are naturally forbidden, why wasn't the game simply postponed and played on another date? Apparently, that idea was not entertained either by the players nor the Director. Yet, in the final round, Giannatos played his 3rd White out of 4 games. According to the USCF Official rulebook, P.298, even in the Round Robin system, the equalization of colors change should have been made. Hence, Sciacca should have played White and Giannatos, Black. Where was the Director when you needed him? Finally, considering the fact that the Dictator reduced the prize fund budget for this year's invitational by 40%, some question whether the expenses to transport himself to Charlotte didn't exceed the amount which was saved?! But, who knows? I seriously doubt that any specific accounting will be forthcoming. Again, the NCCA needs an entirely new set of honest officers who will act in a democratic fashion for the future good of chess in North Carolina. If you know someone who is qualified, encourage him or her to run for office. I remain, NM Leland Fuerstman Charlotte Chess Club |