"Question for Alan or Richard"?

[Mr. Checkers]

Would you please be so kind to let us know the "ratings breakdown" for each of the different divisions--minors, majors and masters, which were used at the recent National GAYP checker tournament? "Mr. Checkers"

[rich beckwith]

Ratings cutoffs were published a long time ago and have been re-published before recent Nationals. Seeding rules (ACFB #274) state that ACF ratings will be used at registration. The gray area cutoff for Masters/Majors is 2250-2300. The gray area cutoff for Majors/Minors is 1950-1900. Winners of the Majors and Minors divisions of the past 3 Nationals (going back to 2004 GAYP) must play up. These are general guidelines, as individual situations may be looked at on a case-by-case basis due to inactivity, health concerns, limited competition, or a player having played only in a localized area, which could skew rating. In Las Vegas, Tim Laverty and I discussed where to place a number of people based on all available evidence,

I will also point out that some Major or “average” players played up into the Masters (permitted in ACFB #274 Exec rules) when they could have stayed in the Majors to try to get the Majors’ prize money.

[Alan Millhone]

Dr. Beckwith thanks for your reply and clarifications on ratings and a players placement. Nothing easy about playing in the Masters ( I love it however) and am probably the exception of an average player who enjoys playing the best. In Vegas at our Nationals we had two other men who decided to play in the Masters. By week's end one man was very discouraged and did not play his last round. The other man persisted and told me he would study hard and play better next year ! I had some very poor games and a couple nice ones that I am proud. There will always be those 'gray' areas in placing a few players as Dr. B. describes. No system is ever perfect.

Sincerely:
Alan Millhone, President
American Checker Federation

[tommyc]

I never heard any of the competitors complain so i guess yaal was happy,so why would anyone else be interested.

Some people one does have to feel sorry for,its a shame they cant see it themselves.!!

[Alex_Moiseyev]

we had two other men who decided to play in the Masters.

Did they have enough rating to play in Master Division ? If not - what was another reason for exception and allowing them to play ?

Personally I am in favor of limiting and locking Master Division from players not in this class. It has to be elite tournament 12-16 players, perhaps Robin Round system.

Allowing players with low rating to play in Master Division is lowering the level of event and respect.

Playing in Master Division is honorable and must be treated as award. But award cannot be given to everyone, you have to fight for this.

Something wrong under the sun in our childish Kingdom

If someone like Mr. Lubabalo Kpndlo or newcomers from Barbados and other countries (Shane McCosker 2007, Alex Moiseyev 1996) don't have rating and sufficient record - this is another story. They may play at any (!) level. But if someone already established his / her level, the rules shoudl work evenly for everyone.

Alex

[Alan Millhone]

Hello Mr. Alex:

I take full responsibility for allowing the two men to play 'up' .

You have told me over several occasions that you are okay if a player who is better wants to play 'down' .

If the public out cry here on the forum is critical of my actions then in 2008 I will have to reconsider.

Personally, I admired the two men wanting to play better players and perhaps improve their game. Elitism is okay to a point , but that might be part of what has hepled diminish the ACF over the past couple of decades?

Again just the views of an average Checker/Draughts player.

Sincerely:
Alan Millhone, President
American Checker Federation
Journeyman Checker Player

[Patrick Parker]

w ryan had ideas about who to let into masters

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Alan, this action (allowing players to play in higher Division) kills motivation. If players don't have to work hard to achive the main goal - play in Master Division, he/she will never have a progress.

If you don't have to work hard for this, you are losing on long run. If you want to play with strong players and compete - prove this. We are not in kindergarten.

Just trust me It comes from my Russian experience. Opinion of majority not always right And even if 10 people out of 10 tell you something, they all might be wrong.

And indeed, this will not raise any additional interest to the game or membership. Just couple folks played in Master Division and lost a bunch of games ... thats it.

If you see any promotional thing here, tell me - I'll be glad to learn and you know - I am awlays open to change my opinion

Concerning sandbaging ... It is easy to fight against it. Just move most of prize mones from Minor and Major Divisions to Masters