3 move qualifying tournament

[Hugh Devlin]

Hi All, I've just seen this now as I don't visit this site with any regularity. There is a reality that is being ignored here. There was a QT held in the USA in 2007 that included a youth event. There was one single entry received for that youth event! The WCDF were criticised for not hosting a youth event at Beijing 2008. The reason there was none held is because the IMSA had informed us that we could not host a separate event for youth in Beijing. Then there was a Youth event advertised for the QT held at the IOW in 2009 and this was abandoned after receiving just one entry (who declined to travel there due to the expense and having no-one to play against!) This issue was highlighted at the GA meeting 2009 if anyone would care to check the minutes. Yet for some reason when we say there will be a youth event in 2010 if there is sufficient interest we are criticised for this. Is this criticism fair in view of the facts?
Likewise, John Acker is correct in pointing out that the prize fund is geared towards the top 10 participants and does not mention gender. Considering that there was just one female entry to the QT 2009 a month prior to it commencing, there was a question over whether there would be any separate women’s event at all. It appeared most likely that the female entrant would be playing alongside the other entries for the overall title and being recognised as women’s challenger by virtue of being the highest female finisher. As it turned out a second player entered in the closing weeks which enabled us to have a separate women’s event (and for the 1st time a match and not a tournament format). A similar situation may arise again where there could be three female entries and the question would again arise of amalgamating the genders or a separate event (and what format that separate event should take). I personally believe the female’s preference and common sense would prevail given such a circumstance occurring.

Regarding this current year, and in fairness to the IDA, they have stated that they are open to look at, and provide funding for a separate women’s and youth event given sufficient entries. I think that is reasonable given the facts as they are.

[Jay H]

Hi All, I've just seen this now as I don't visit this site with any regularity.

Hey Hugh,
Glad to see you posting on the ACF Forum......always a treat !!!
You should check in more often.....lots of interesting items posted here. Especially during the "ON" season

Regards

Jay H

[kiwinurse]

The reality that the members of the WCDF are choosing to ignore is that without a named prize amount for both the women and the youth,there will be only small attendance.The reality is that the mens qualifier has now named the prize money,which gives people an incentive to come over.But there is no such incentive for the youth or the women.This is the point im trying to make.If you dont want the latter two to die,then do as you are doing with the main qualifier and make it worthwhile for the youth and women to attend, if you still want these divisions in checkers.
Women do not have a choice in being selected to attend world qualifiers to play in the main one,and what you are saying is that the main qualifier can be attended by both women and men.Well thats not true.Because only two people from each country can attend the qualifier,and guess what,they will be men.So while you are saying hey,its open to women,its not,with the exception of myself who is placed second at the moment in New Zealand,because we are only a small group, i know of no other woman who fits into the category of playing in the main qualifier..

[Bernard Coll]

Sounds a bit like "What came first, the hen or the egg"?

[Lindus Edwards]

Several players have asked me if I intend playing in the qualifying event at Dublin, Ireland this October. This would be unlikely given that I would require a letter of nomination and that such a document would prove difficult, to say the least, to obtain. I have never been asked to represent my county in the home international matches, leave alone a world championship qualifying tournament!
The world of checkers is a strange and tough place................

[kiwinurse]

Why is it so difficult for you to attend the qualifier Lindus?I dont understand.Didnt you win the last Welsh Open,and the English Open,dont they select their top players to attend?I would think they would surely.

[Lindus Edwards]

Hi Jan,

I have it from a highly reliable source that it makes no difference what tournaments I have won so far as being allowed to play in the qualifiers is concerned. A player must be nominated by his or her country, following which the nomination would be considered. I think I would find it easier to fly to the moon on a pumpkin than obtain such a letter of nomination!

[liam stephens]

Hi Lindus,

As I understand it, each Association that is affiliated to the WCDF is allowed to nominate 2 players to enter the QT. In view of your playing record and as winner of the English and Welsh opens in 2009, I would find it incredible if you were not first on any selection list.

Regards - Liam.

[Lindus Edwards]

Thank you Liam.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Also, don't forget about $100 (perhaps 60 EURO ?) renew National Federations annual membership in WCDF.

Little statistics ...

Any National Federation or WCDF member can send 2 players to QT, Woman QT and Youth QT, in total 6 players in delegation. Host country have one extra entry in each event.

From 14-16 members of WCDF (don't remember exact number) we have somewhere 30-35 players in each event, and 90-100 players in total. Not bad at all !

I am very glad to hear that my potential opponent in the next cycle will be awarded with 2,000 EURO which should make competition in QT very tough and raise an interest to the entire event and title.

Regards,

Alex