2015 GAYP National Tournament format & schedule

[sergio]

Congratulations to Richard Beckwith on his first place. Congratulations Jack Francis, Clayton Nash and Richard Hallet on their good performance.

Congratulations to Lorne. His victory proves once again that there are some very good players online. We need to involve them in tournaments much more than we did in the past.


Sergio Scarpetta

[Alex_Moiseyev]

My hot congratulations to Richard for winning very prestige GAYP 2015 National! If I am not mistaken, this is his first (and hopefully not last!) win of ACF National. In addition - congratulations to Clayton Nash who achieved his 1st ACF GM norm (not official yet but coming).

I also would like to congratulate personally young Canadian Lorne Wells, "1milliongames" with his outstanding performance in Major Division.

I am expecting now from organizers text of games in order to select (and maybe slightly annotate?) 50 best games

AM

[bazkitcase5]

thanks Alex! it was definitely a solid tournament for me, with some good play and some bad play, but mostly solid preparation

I won 3 games, but lost 1 - In one of the wins, I was in a loss, but in my one loss, I missed a win! I also missed 2 other wins (1 of which was terrible play on my part), so I can't say I didn't have my chances

just proves that I can prepare well, but I still need to continue improving as a player to take the next step

also its a shame that on a technicality, Hallett and I would get 3rd on honor points due to random pairings allowing Francis to play Beckwith in the last round; making it even worse was the fact that due to upcoming WQT, Francis chose to offer Beckwith 2 draws so as to not show his hand so to speak... meaning they didn't even play - Beckwith deserved a well earned victory by going 3-0, but Francis didn't play any harder competition than Hallett or I did...

[Alex_Moiseyev]

also its a shame that on a technicality, Hallett and I would get 3rd on honor points due to random pairings ... Francis didn't play any harder competition than Hallett or I did...

So ... it would be more proper if you or Hallett play with Richard in last round ?

Come on !!! Lady Fate is strange dama and her choices sometimes disturb us. Look at this ironically and think positively - next time you will be selected to play with Richard!

But probably the best way to have less luck and more points.

Francis should definitely try to play and win game and title. Richard was lucky with opponent !!!

[Chexhero]

I give up at this point. I guess last round championship matches are truly a thing of the past.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

I give up at this point. I guess last round championship matches are truly a thing of the past.

With all my honesty I promise you: next time when me and you get pair in last round - I will do all my best and play it very hard without any excuses or agreements !

My next event will be OH in September and probably VA, District 4 and AL, or any combination of them.

Regards,

AM

[Chexhero]

How about the PA and D-3 tournament in mid-October, Alex? We can have our last round battle! And don't worry, I won't offer you any early draws, because I plan on beating you. I look forward to you showing me you don't lack the warrior spirit, as Chee would say lol

[Alex_Moiseyev]

How about the PA and D-3 tournament in mid-October, Alex?

I forgot about it, deal. I don't have warrior spirit, I am small soft Russian cat and always agree with draw if you make all right moves.

[George Hay]

Congratulations to Richard Beckwith on winning the Masters, Lorne Wells on winning the Majors, and Grover Minor on winning the Minors.
Grover Minor won a copy of Sixth donated by Mr. Alex!

--George Hay

[Bill Salot]

My congratulations to the top dogs and condolences to the bottom feeders.

Now that the big tournament is over, why not unwind by reviewing the fresh settings on the contest page?

Jake Kacher said he "was stunned by the quality of positions" there.

Your views, good or bad, would be appreciated.

[George Hay]

And...congratulations to ACF President Alan Millhone for being the top American in the Majors to become the 2015 GAYP National Majors Champion.
Alam Millhone was 2nd overall in sole possession of 2nd place behind Majors Open winner Lorne Wells of Canada.

--George Hay

[neilwenberg]

I have introduced about 7/8 people to our greatest game! However, they keep no interest in this great game and have no interest in reading books in print or on the internet. How can I FORCE them to read and study checkers so they can at least get to the king row in their endeavors?? Give me the solution to my problem!

[George Hay]

Neil, of course there is no way to FORCE anyone to do anything. You might be able to get the momentum going on something they may be inclined to do. I have found that talking about Dr. Marion F. Tinsley, PhD in Mathematics, and his great victory over the computer program Chinook is a story people find interesting. At the same time it gives checkers a kind of "street cred" that is hard to "dis." By the way, belated congratulations on your 2011 ACF GAYP National Minors Championship!

--George Hay

[MFulkerson]

That's part of the problem, everything is in books. I've probably mentioned this before, but take a look at how the chess club and scholastic center of Saint Louis does things. Video lectures given by grandmasters, who break down games and explain the ideas behind all moves made. They have videos on everything from basic opening foundations all the way to advanced end games. If some checker gm's did this, I'd say there would be more interest and more skilled players emerging.

[George Hay]

There does seem to be an underwhelming complacency in the ACF. Will we be having these same conversations a year from now after another marquee match up ends in a pair of draws with no move made? Will there be a speed division in the next ACF Nationals that could be highlighted on YouTube? Will the established masters insist on points on the round instead of the game, thus discouraging participation because a draw counts for nothing. But the established masters can coast.

--George Hay