Just some ideas.

[MFulkerson]

Just starting back into the game after a 6 year break it looks to me like checkers is headed in the wrong direction. I haven't read every post on this forum,but the ones that seemed to be of any importance would eventually turn into a long conversation of bickering and demeaning comments. We all know two things,there is a small pool of checkers players and not much money to take the game where we would like. I propose baby steps, professionalism between players, and more promotional type tournaments such as the one Neil Wenberg is having this weekend. Not every tournament has to be at a hotel with costs of renting a playing room. Perhaps players of the same state can put on exhibitions at resturaunts where people can see the game is far more complex,and interesting than they have always thought.Also, maybe tournaments with combined play styles? More people might attend if they have an option to play 3-move or GAYP, etc. instead of a restriction. Just my two cents if you will.

[Palomino]

Mike wrote:

Not every tournament has to be at a hotel with costs of renting a playing room ...Also, maybe tournaments with combined play styles?

If some players would/could step up and implement your ideas I think that would be great. The only thing I would add is (and I think this is along the same lines of what you are purposing) ... Not every tournament has to be 2 or 3 days with the cost of staying overnight at a motel, there are some 1 day tournaments now but not many.

My first tournament was a 1 day tournament organized by the late Bobby Smith in the side room of the Pocahontas Restaurant, Pocahontas, Illinois with no cost for the room. Bobby just asked that we please order our lunch from the nice owner that was letting us use the room. My wife and I got there early (3+ hour drive) and ate breakfast, they brought us so much food that we couldn't eat it all and had the leftovers for lunch and each meal was less than $5. I met and made friends with several players and still today keep in touch with them.

I also attended a 1 day tournament in LaGrange, Indiana organized by Roger Blaine. It was held in a cafe at no cost for the use of and I met and made friends of several nice Amish players that day who I still keep in touch.

Two day tournaments are great but I just can't often get away for 2 days. Small 1 day tournaments requires less of a commitment of time and money and I believe could be a way of getting players who have never attended a checker tournament to take that first step towards becoming involved in tournament play.

We must keep in mind that only a few players organize all of the tournaments and they are doing more than their fair share and I appreciate their dedication to the game. So, for the most part it will be up to players like me and you and others who have never organized a tournament to put your plan into action.

Kudos to all of the players that have organized a tournament and have kept our game alive.

[Palomino]

John wrote:

...as long as the participants are ACF members and the tournament follows standard rules.

John, by participants do you mean the organizers or do you mean all who attend and play?

I believe making everyone that comes and plays purchase an ACF membership is just another roadblock placed in front of players who are already reluctant about taking that first step towards getting involved.

[Palomino]

John, you say

Anyone is welcome to organize an unofficial tournament

on that point I think everyone has to agree, there's just no reason to argue with that.

You also say that in your opinion

all ACF-rated events must require ACF membership.

I don't disagree with you but I'm not sure I know exactly what an ACF-rated event is, would that be an event where the results are sent to Joe Moore for ratings calculations? My understanding is that at this time all participants in nearly all tournaments held here in the U.S. receive an ACF Rating but only ACF members have their rating published. I don't believe Illinois or Tennessee and some other state tournaments require that all participants have ACF membership, are they not ACF-rated events?

Anyway I think that what Mike is purposing is the ACF should encourage and promote more tournaments like the one Neil Wenberg organized and was held today in Western Pennsylvania. Mike wrote above...

I propose baby steps, professionalism between players, and more promotional type tournaments such as the one Neil Wenberg is having this weekend.

Neil promoted this tournament as

No entry fee or ACF membership requirement as the design will be to attract new players,

I don't know if ratings for Neil's tournament will be calculated or not and I don't know that it matters. I don't want to put words into Mike's mouth but believe he is saying that if the ACF would sanction, promote and encourage or whatever more tournaments like the one Neil held today it would get more players involved and that would in turn grow the ACF.

[MFulkerson]

I liked Neil's idea as a way to attract players to the game,which is my primary concern. I am currently trying to think of a way to set up a demonstration event to sort of open people up to checkers as more than a child's game,as most of the general public sees it. Ideally I would like to set various problems up on boards in a public setting, and ask people to find various shots,they usually move to the side and say "if I move here they can't jump this piece",but are amazed when they see it played out so you jump every piece. I've played out Wyllie's Switcher Stroke and a few others for people before and they said they didn't realize how complex checkers could be.Most people would say chess is a game of skill, checkers is a child's way to spend indoor recess,free entry tournaments in public areas may show more people there is more to it and hopefully bring more people to the ACF.

[john reade]

We have a one day tournament in Manchester next Saturday (24 November) All welcome! The more the merrier!

[tommyc]

I think what PAL meant was PROMOTE checkers first....THEN that in itself PROMOTES the ACF.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Mike Sokolovsky, winner of event (17 out of 20 points) just called me and informed briefly about event. He was excited with opportunity to meet new friends and play more checkers games. Atmosphere was friendly and less official.

Hope we'll see soon more reports about this event from other attendants.

Mike also was happy to get a chance to buy Kears Encyclopedia for $15 only. He is eager now start study it.

Regards,

Alex