Strawberry Fest 2013

[Alex_Moiseyev]

I am coming.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Me too. Want a ride down there, Alex?

Sure !

My reservation already made in Regal Inn for nights of May 9(thursday) and May 10(friday)

We have to leave around 2-3 PM on Thursday in order to get there around midnight.

[Michael Holmes]

I have to work that Friday

[Michael Holmes]

Any updates? send by phone?

[Michael Holmes]

Strawberry TN in Progress.jpg

Strawberry TN Majors in Progress.jpg

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Well, I had 18 points before last round started and John Webster and Larry Keen had 15 points each. In last round Frank Davis graciously offered me 2 draws and I accepted - another blow to my rating Still don't know final results in Master and Major Division. Brian Hinkle did well after long silence and escape but still recovering his level.

Lunches on 1st and 2nd day were awesome ... as usual.

Strawberry Festival was really ruined this year ... perhaps due to rain and Boston bombing threats. I saw National Guards with weapons on the street - fantastic ! Probably only 10% of businesses and residents participated this time in parade.

I used a "hat donation" method for "Alex & John Travel Fund" for transportation expanses and trip to Livorno. We collected $417 !!! Many, many thanks to everyone (almost all players gave something) who supported me, John and World Title Match. For me this donation is not only tremendous financial help, but also great moral support and stimulation.

More later,

AM

[JR Smith]

Official Score-Sheet from Frank Davis


http://www.nccheckers.org/NCCA/2013%20S ... esults.htm

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Total prize fund in all divisions = $2,880.

I really never understood: what ii an idea of giving a little bit to everyone - encourage, recognition, respect, motivation ?
I don't see any of this for giving $20 to some amateur player.

Here is my breakdown

Masters

1) $1,000
2) $750
3) $500

Majors

1) $300
2) $200

Minors

1) $130

We have to support strong players, there are only few of them, much less than 2nd and other echelon. They spend many years and decades to study and master the game and maintain certain level of play. Look - we have very few new players who really reached Master level in the past decade. Why ? Because this is not easy. Playing for many years is not the only condition, you have to have skills and continuously developing them, you must love the game and be addictive, you must sacrifice on many things. And this must be awarded.

Yes, we have to encourage and welcome all newcomers, but giving just a miserable $20 is not a proper method. People spent more than this amount to come and you should appreciate it some other way, I believe.

Today number of truly active strong Masters in ACF is twice less than we had 10 years ago. It's continue going smaller and smaller.

We are not in 21st century, more likely - 19th. Our greatest fathers - Tinsley, Hellman, Long, Oldbury, Ryan, Lafferty, Lowder and some other icons brought checkers to 20th century, but we are moving now into wrong directions - more easy, less professional, less skillfully, less respectfully.

Think about ...

AM

[Chexhero]

Last year in PA tournament, Ray Shelly had it so that prize money was giving out in order by divisions and first to last in each division. So basically, the first place winner in majors did not receive more than the last place player in masters. Everyone received a little more than the player below them. The first place winner in masters, who was Tim Laverty I think got a pretty big chunk of the money. I think this is a good method because in this way, the better players are being rewarded more, but at the same time, the better players aren't neccessarily hogging too much of the money. Also, just because someone is in minors or majors doesn't mean they don't spend a lot of time on checkers. Sometimes pure natural ability/potential gets overlooked.

[ae_ted]

You are simply greedy. With your current attitude and the current ACF leadership and polices, The ACF IS and Will continue its downward spiral. Simply look at the history of the past years and you can easily see the leadership and corresponding downward membership and participation. Your attitude shows. Sad.