State Titles

[Alex_Moiseyev]

John, states are very much independent from ACF, and each state has or doesn't have their own rule. Some states even don't require ACF membership, other - require.

[Pedro Saavedra]

John, states are very much independent from ACF, and each state has or doesn't have their own rule. Some states even don't require ACF membership, other - require.

What happens when there is no state organization, as in Maryland? I still have not been able to contact any other ACF member currently residing in Maryland. I was given an address some years ago and I wrote and got no answer.

I do not believe I am the strongest player in Maryland, because Maryland has some very fine Pool Checkers players and I am convinced some could beat me at our game. Plus it has been over 30 years since I played crossboard and I was not that good back then.

So I will pose two questions: 1) What does it take to form a state organization? 2) Is there a mechanism for a State Championship to be claimed when there is none?

I have no idea if I could make it, but a reasonable approach would be to announce that the top resident of Maryland in the regional tournament (I do not know the last time a Maryland resident attended -- I never have) would be declared state champion (or even contingent on two participating).

Here is, however, one opportunity for innovation. If a call were posted at Gold Token for residents of a given state to compete in a GAYP (the style that would attract the most players) turned-based tournament and there were no state association, would ACF recognize the title as the state turned-based GAYP title and list the winner as a state champion (even with the requirement that he be a member of or join the ACF)? This could attract new members, could lead checker players from the same state to eventually meet crossboard, and would not step on the toes of any existing association. I do think a committee should discuss it if it is considered and come up with a protocol.

Pedro

[Pedro Saavedra]

Sounds like a good plan to me, Pedro-- would Goldtoken have the ability to set an accelerated turn-based timer (say, an hour a move) so the resulting competition would be closer to the dynamics of a crossboard tournament? That might help in establishing the legitimacy of a turn-based state title.

Gold Token could do it head to head if it chose, but I would not be interested in it. I like to take my time and to do it over days. I would rather emulate the dynamic of mail checkers. Remember what I told Alex. I think of him as the Mac Banks of crossboard play.

Some of us work and do like to come home and make a move in each of two dozen games. That is the checkers I love. I will also admit that I like browsing over a number of sources to see what others have discerned about a position. That too takes time. So I do not want to emulate crossboard. I want our mode of play recognized in its own right.

Pedro