How come there’s no link from the story about the World Amateur Tournament on the front page to comment on that story?
Anyhow, I like the idea of this tournament, and the fact that it’s being held within 3 miles of my sister’s house. But the timing sucks. US players from outside the Chicago area aren’t likely to be able to afford 6 week days off from work to travel into Chicago for the tourney. Having the games in the evening only on week nights does help the locals, though. Anyhow, I’m curious, but I doubt I’ll be able to get the time off necessary to fly in from Florida to attend.
But I do have some questions about the specifics. The tourney’s web site says that national ratings will be converted to approximate FIDE ratings for players (most US players) who don’t have a FIDE rating. What’s the formula? Since the max FIDE rating to play in this is 2000, it would be useful to know the max USCF rating that equates to that, if it’ll be enforced that way.
Also, the web site mentions prizes based on ratings. Is this a single section tournament with the best performers by rating getting the prizes for that rating group, or is it broken into sections so you only play others in your rating group like most big US tourneys?
Thanks for your questions Fromper. The posting on the main site is a press release article and not in CLO which is why you can’t do a posting on it.
The timing is as the timing is. There were multiple variable that went into it. I didn’t want to compress the event further down in terms of days and could not compress it lower than 9 rounds (this tournament is supposed to be 11 rounds but I received the ok for 9 rounds). There are similarities with the US Open here except that there are no fast schedules.
This is a single section event. The prizes you see listed are rating category prizes. You will play everyone in a single section, similar to the US Open.
First and foremost you have to understand that the conversions are used to help with more appropriate pairings. If you are FIDE unrated and 2100 USCF, you’re not going to be barred from playing because you are still FIDE unrated. This is a FIDE event, not a USCF event, so FIDE ratings and rules, trumps all.
I’ll have a better answer on the final formula on Monday after I speak with Walter Brown and my Chief Arbiter Stewart Reuben. This though should NOT be something that prevents someone from playing (unless they are rated over 2000 FIDE). Now on a case by case basis, we still maintain the right to bar a player if there is something odd. There is directors / arbiters and organizers’ discretion to preserve the event.
However also keep in mind here that the entire prize fund goes towards the U2000 crowd, unlike other large events where a large portion (around 35-40%) goes to the above 2000 crowd. Unlike other large events, this event does offer titles as prizes as well. And unlike other large events, this event is offering 2 TTU scholarships.
If you have any questions please feel free to email me.