This is the same location where I played recently match with Tim Laverty and I can confirm - this is an excellent location and very large playing room. These folks in NC know how to do business! I definitely will be there to defend my National champ title.
We also reached a gentle agreement, that starting new cycle World Title matches will be play every 2nd year, but Nationals - every year. Probably two National champions (or runners up) shall play once in two years elimination matches in order to identify an official Challenger for the World Title Match.
I am interested in attending, but after playing Nexus a few rounds, I found it set up a starting position that was a blatant loss for white. I understand you play both sides, but I don't know if I like the prospect of having to defend a losing position, which I have no control over. I am wondering if newer programs or humans have analyzed these starting positions at all and have eliminated at least a good portion of the probable starting position losses?
Chexhero wrote:I am interested in attending, but after playing Nexus a few rounds, I found it set up a starting position that was a blatant loss for white. I understand you play both sides, but I don't know if I like the prospect of having to defend a losing position, which I have no control over. I am wondering if newer programs or humans have analyzed these starting positions at all and have eliminated at least a good portion of the probable starting position losses?
Joe, I cam answer your question.
Noone analyzed in full all 2,500 openings - neither program or analyst. but ... we have a rule which we use in World matches and National: after picking opening both opponents review starting position few minutes. Opening IS eliminated if BOTH opponents agree to do this. If someone wants to play - so be it !
In our last match with Tim one time we removed opening:
OFF: 5, 27. 12-16, 24-20
We both agreed that white position after 16-19, 23x16, 8-12 is hopeless. Later after match when I came home and analyzed it with program, Kingsrow confirmed that our verdict was 100% accurate - no draw for white !
We are using the same elimination rule in National.
Thanks for the explanation. With that said, i do have a further question. Let's say only 1 person thinks the opening should be eliminated. In other words, both players disagree. What happens in that circumstance? Can a program be used at that moment by referee to determine if the opening position is probable draw?
Chexhero wrote:Thanks for the explanation. With that said, i do have a further question. Let's say only 1 person thinks the opening should be eliminated. In other words, both players disagree. What happens in that circumstance? Can a program be used at that moment by referee to determine if the opening position is probable draw?
No program involve!. The rule stays clear - if someone wants to play, opening is played even if there is disagreement.
I played many official 11 man ballot games - in World Title and National, and so far I didn't witness the situation when this rule was dishonestly abused.
Often I had different opinion with my opponent - I preferred to play because I saw more defensive chances than my opponent and truly believed I can drew it.
One time I abounded opening because I saw a very strong, potentially winning chances, but my opponent wanted to play. I won strong side and barely drew weak side because my opponent missed a win. In fact - my verdict was correct and opening shall not be played, but we both were honest in our decision.
Interesting. I find almost all master players to be very good sports so I highly doubt it should that much off a problem. You will probably see me at the competition.
11-Man Ballot National | Econo Lodge, Burlington, NC | January 31st through February 2nd, 2014
15 Entrants: Playing Swiss as single group with Masters and Majors Division brackets for title and trophies & only repair in final round.
$30 entry fee | with $1,200 TOTAL prize fund paid through contestant field
We started play a little later than announced, at 10AM Friday because of weather and secondary road conditions for our drive-in players.
During Business Meeting we voted to play to cut Tournament from 9 to 8 3-hour Swiss Rounds | 3 Rds Friday, 3 Rds Saturday, and 2 Rounds Sunday,
because of Super-Bowl and give distance players more day light driving time.
Accumulated Points after 3 days of play | 8 rounds, 16 games - Final Standings:
1. GM Alex Moiseyev – Dublin, OH - 26 points - $200 Cash & Masters Trophy Won Masters Division 2. IM Tim Laverty - Graham, NC - 20 points/127 honor pts - $125 Cash
3. Joe Moore - Levittown, PA - 20 points/118 honor pts - $125 Cash
4. GM Jim Morrison - Glasgow, KY - 19 points/141 honor pts - $92.50 Cash
5. IM John Webster – Stoneville, NC - 19 points/124 honor pts - $92.50 Cash
6. IM Michael Holmes - Louisville, KY - 17 points/136 honor pts - $82.50 Cash (Tie 6/7 place)
7. Teal Stanley - Greensboro, NC - 17 points/136 honor pts - $82.50 Cash (Tie 6/7 place)
8. CM Albert Tucker - Minden, LA - 15 points - $72.50 Cash
9. Glenn Fuquay – Elon, NC - 15 points - $72.50 Cash & Majors Trophy (played in Majors Bracket)Won Majors Division 10. J.R. Smith - Greensboro, NC - 14 points - $65 Cash (played in Majors Bracket)
11. Alex Holmes – Sellersburg, IN - 13 points/117 honor pts - $52.50 Cash
12. Matthew Clark - Fort Mill, SC - 13 points/102 honor pts - $52.50 Cash
13. Mike Ross - Burlington, NC - 11 points - $50 Cash
14. Grover Minor - Greensboro, NC - 11 points - $40 Cash (played in Majors Bracket)
15. Ted Williamson - Kenova, WV - 3 points - withdrew after 3 rounds - (played in Majors Bracket)
Last edited by JR Smith on Mon Feb 03, 2014 7:28 pm, edited 2 times in total.
JR Smith wrote:1. GM Alex Moiseyev – Dublin, OH - 26 points - $200 Cash & Masters Trophy Won Masters Division 2. Joe Moore - Levittown, PA - 20 points/118 honor pts - $125 Cash
4. GM Jim Morrison - Glasgow, KY - 19 points/141 honor pts - $92.50 Cash
Typo: 2nd was Tim Laverty with 20 points and better honor points (he played with me). Joe Moore tied 2nd-3rd place with 20 points but took 3rd place due to honor points.
In last round I was paired with Jim Morrison and we played 2 draws. Tim Laverty and Joe Moore took advantage of this and won both game in last round. I had 24 points before round started and the closest opponent had 17.
I proposed referee to give me bye or opponent with lesser points, but Tim (referee) said that this is against rules and I have to play with Jim.
This is a good example of one of weaknesses of "repair" round.
Turn this year was lower but location beautiful, many thanks to JR. Tim Laverty did excellent job as referee. Me and Tim continue recovering with our heart problems. I was lucky to win both games against John Webster (my long time creditor!) and Michael Holmes (also 2 wins against Michael doesn't happen very often).
At the tournament I presented Michael document with all our 68 games (now - 70) which we played since 1997. Score 23-3=42 but both me and Michael think he may won 4 or 5 games. I have to recheck everything again.
Very disappointing for me, but my hat is off to Tim who impressively beat Teal his last two games. Tim executed a beautiful two man down shot in the last game which gave him board control and the win. I would have liked to play Alex for title, but at least now I can just focus on 3 move.
Small turnout, but a lot of good things came out of this tournament. This included a discussion of bringing back 2 move and a better way to alternate the tournaments. I am very interested for things to come.
