I’m researching TD/Organizer cases where the TD/Organizer has ran the same event for more than 25 years and they were held on a weekly or monthly basis.
So far, all I have is Steve Immitt’s 4 rated games tonight in NYC and Joe Ball’s monthly event in Syracuse, NY.
Any other suggestions?
All the best, Joe
Hasn’t Glenn Petersen been running his events since the Coolidge Administration?
Similarly, Ken Thomas’s events seem to have been going on forever.
I’d look for some ongoing events in MA.
The Houston, Dallas, Marshall and Mechanics Institute clubs may have long-standing events too.
Glenn’s quads were discontinued a few years ago, though it might have been the longest in history.
The Marshall and I suspect Mechanics have had various TD’s in charge of their events. Does anyone know about Houston or Dallas?
That exceptional devotion of one TD/organizer in an area is what I am looking for. It is for a possible story in CL.
All the best, Joe
Stephen Dillard has run weekly tournaments on Monday nights in Louisville, Ky for at least 12 years, (my participation) don’t know if they went before that or not. The location has changed every couple of years due to size of the tournament and businesses closing/etc…
Thank you for the lead!
Anyone: Any others?
All the best, Joe
Hi Joe,
I believe you may have a candidate for the longest organizer. Since 1988, The Land of the Sky Open, in Asheville, NC has been going on, and Wilder Wadford has been the Chief Organizer for these events, as he just completed the 23rd edition. Another 2 years then you will have 25 years. It was for a long time one of my favorite events to attend, despite the travel, and right now, it is nearly impossible for me to get back down there. I have played in Asheville at least 7 of those years, and hopefully, I will be able to return there for the 25th running of this event. Good job to Wilder, of keeping this event going. Thanks.
David A. Cole, USCF Life Member, Franklin, NJ
I am sorry, I misread that you wanted longevity cases on a weekly/monthly level. My fault on that, but maybe Wilder can get a record attendance for his 25th Annual Land of The Sky in 2012. Cheers!
David A. Cole, USCF Life Member, Franklin, NJ
Joe Lux wrote:
I have run the Nassau Chess Club Championship every year since 1976 and a few other events too (28th Nassau Class will be in June, 27th Nassau Seniors will be in July). These are annual events. I have been running tournaments at the Nassau Chess Club at our weekly Monday evening meetings since 1976 but with various formats and time controls. Does this meet your criteria?
The club did move from Hicksville to Mineola in 1993 so it hasn’t been at the same location.
Harold, you were already on my list!
All the best, Joe
I am sure there are a number of clubs that have annual club championships that have run for a number of consecutive years. Every spring [usually April, May, & sometimes June] the Park Forest Chess Club has its annual club championship. I have organized [i.e. done the club schedule & set the prize fund] since 1986. I did the TD duties from 1986 through 2006, but I was not the TD in 2007-2009.
I think your point may be that although there is recognition of “Heritage Events” [25 years or more] in Chess Life that the small tournaments may not be getting the recognition they deserve. How many players got involved in rated chess through their local chess club? These small rated events [with as little as 4 people up to 50] that occur during the week were the backbone and lifeblood of chess in the 60’s and 70’s. IMHO we need to support the small chess tournaments more. Training more TDs is a good start, but we need to get the current crop of TDs to be willing to travel around the country to bring chess tournaments to where there may not be enough tournaments currently. It should be easier for 1 or 2 people [i.e. TDs] to travel a long distance for a tournament, then for 50-100 people to travel the same or greater distance.
Larry S. Cohen
TD in Illinois
ps: I am backing this up. I am directing and organizing a tournament at the end of March in Louisville. I am willing to consider travel to other states to organize and run tournaments. If you want me to consider your area contact me at carpetbaggerchess@yahoo.com and we can do an e-mail discussion over the possibility.
Joe Ball’s events in Syracuse, NY have moved around as well, so I don’t think one location should be a criteria for the continuous longevity of a tournament. I actually played in one of the first ones in 1980 at Pine Grove Middle School. In his case, he started in 1979, and has been going ever since.
The World Open is one obvious candidate. One that just ended after 35 years are Norma Shelley’s Quads in Schenectady, NY.
The Marchand Open in Rochester is 25 years old as well, I believe. The Rochester Chess Center has been running weekly rated Swiss tournaments with the same management for over 20 years now.
With the help of Mike Nolan, there are about 28 TDs that potentially meet the criteria. Norma and Ron Lohrman are on that list!
All the best, Joe Lux
Woody Harris ran the Emporia Open for 25 years consecutively and that just ended with the one he did last fall. The VCF will probably pick it up as it would be a shame to have it reach Heritage status and disappear.