Nick Addante Post on IL

[Eric Strange]

The following is a post by Nick Addante discussing the IL state tournament.

I, Nick Addante, would like to congratulate the 2011 “Illinois State Champion” Gary Ellison for his impressive victory… I never got a chance to play any of the Illinois players from the Master division throughout the whole tournament. Coming into the final round, Round 7 I had finished with 14 points, and would easily overtake any other 14 point score by honor points due to my loaded schedule (Alex M., Larry Keen, Michael Holmes, Don West etc. etc) Gary and Gene were matched the final round, both with 11 points each. The only way for either of them to become the state champion would be to win both games. By this point Gary and Gene were the only 2 people to not have played yet, everyone else was leaving or had left. They encouraged me to give them my address and they’d mail me whatever the outcome was and what I should receive. I told them I would stick around and see what happens. So Gary and Gene go to setup their match and Neil Wenberg asks me to play a blitz game of pool checkers with him. Before Neil and I finish our first blitz game of pool checkers (2 min later) Gene and Gary were finished. And what do you know….Gary won 2 games. Imagine that….and impressive and well deserved victory!

[tommyc]

Shiit happens Nick.............its all in the game as Cliff Richards sang abt all those yrs ago.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Nick, the most important thing you have to concentrate on - your performance. You did exceptionally well in IL State ty against strong field - you drew one game with me, two games with Larry Keen (USA National Champion 2002), drew round with Don West - strong Major player etc etc.

Very good performance. And still alot of area for imporvement and food for thoughts.

Remember - checkers is sport and sometimes is painful, be strong.

And also always remember Tommy quote: "shiit happened".

If you are interesing my opinion - I would not play with Neil in this situation but stay behind the table entire round (both games) where Gary played with Gene and watch. Then many questions could be erase or maybe not even generated.

Regards,

Alex

[Jay H]

The following is a post by Nick Addante discussing the IL state tournament.

I, Nick Addante, would like to congratulate the 2011 “Illinois State Champion” Gary Ellison for his impressive victory… Gary and Gene were matched the final round, both with 11 points each..... The only way for either of them to become the state champion would be to win both games....... So Gary and Gene go to setup their match and Neil Wenberg asks me to play a blitz game of pool checkers with him. Before Neil and I finish our first blitz game of pool checkers (2 min later) Gene and Gary were finished. And what do you know….Gary won 2 games. Imagine that….

Wow................just.....wow.........


Jay "speechless" H

[Eric Strange]

If I had a brother who played checkers.... I bet I wouldn't be able to get 2 wins off of him.... especially not in 2 minutes. It is sad that this sort of thing happens.... ACF got a new dedicated player who has been attending a lot of tournaments.... Nick is considering not attending nationals and possibly even quitting checkers. Great stuff......

[Alex_Moiseyev]

There are different cases, different people and different stories.

For instance, Elbert Lowder and Tim Laverty were long time life partners. It was always amazing for me that every time when they were paired in event of any level and any tournament situation, they always agreed with 2 draws. Knowing that Elbert used to be much stronger player then Tim, we can only imagine how much this agreement cost him with points, titles and money in some events.

Alex

[waynegober]

In years past, I have always hated to be paired with Justin. When we were, I told him to play his best and try and win. Now I think it is, I must play my best to hope for a draw. But you can be assured, we are both competitors and will play as hard as we can (maybe even a little extra) when we are paired. However if he offered me a couple of draws.....

On the positive note congrats to all and Nick....not to worry..... keep working and soon pairings and tom foolery won't make any difference !!! Just beat everybody that sits in front of you and you will be above it all... hehe

[Alex_Moiseyev]

I spoke with Nick tonight on Kurnik and finally after saying many times (each of us) "xxxxx" we comeup with something positive and valuable.

He proposed to create a NEW title: "IL MATCH Champion" and Nick wants to challenge Gary for this title. I really hope that this great event happened and we can leave this unfortunate story behind.

In OH we have both titles, Match and Tournament Champion, and today I am holder (so far ) both of them. I played two matches with Dr. Richard Beckwith in the past 4 (or 5 ?) years, but we also had in OH some Matches in the past. I think Eugene Zuber and later Louis Cowie hold this title in the past. Maybe Richard and/or Steve can clarify things.

It would be very nice if Nick and Gary play this match some time this year. To be honest - I can't predict with 100% accuracy - who will be a winner. Gary is very experienced Major player, but Nick is constantly improving.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Here is a list of IL Champions

http://www.nccheckers.org/NCCA/Illinois ... mpions.htm

I also should say that Nick comments on Kurnik generated very negative impression of several young fellows and they don't think that cross aboard play is ethical or fear. I was unable to overturn this impression because somehow my arguments were limited

It would be very nice if Nick match with Gary will be materialised.

Gary, if you read this - please, think about match. I think (very hope !) ACF authorities will contact with you soon on this matter. New match will not change and overturn things on existing "Tournament Title", and will be related to NEW "Match Title" only

[Ingo_Zachos]

How was it possible that the games of the last round did not all begin at the same time?

This is my main question, as it is possible to lose a or two game quickly, but without an audience to give evidence that it was not fixed, there will always remain a bad feeling that there has been undue support.

Anyway, congratulations to Nick Addante for a fine performance.
Playing in tournaments is not easy, and the pressure and the tournament situaton is completely different to online play.

I can not give any advice on what happend, but it seems he was not able to win the title with his own strenghts in the last round.
And that means, you have to accept if u lose it, even if someone helped the title holder to win, which I can say sadly happens in online events as well sometimes in real life.
Even among the very best players.
Only thing is that in real life ppl. can not use a faked identitiy and it becomes apparent if something was fixed or undue support was given.

Plz do not blame the game of checkers or the tournament for your misery.
Which is no real misery, btw.
Titles and prizes are meaningless, Nick, what counts is fun and a clear consciense.

You played fair and you can walk out with a clear consciense.
No need to complain but a strong reason to come back next year and once and for all show who is the best.

Or to challenge the title holder to a match.

Good luck with that, and keep on fightng,


Greetinx from windy Dortmund, Germany


Ingo Zachos

[Eric Strange]

The following is a posting by nick addante

I Nick Addante, want to express that I am not interested in some match for a secondary title. I am only interested in taking the title away from the current owner.

[Jay H]

If the facts presented are correct and accurate, this young man was ROBBED of the Title of Illinois State Checker Champion.....no sugar coating it.
There are many things a young man of his age can be doing to entertain himself and occupy his time in this day and age....Nick chose Checkers, which is EXACTLY what is needed in this country, YOUNG individuals (male or female) to keep the organization of the game alive.
Nick compromised his personal time to go and compete for the State Championship, which it appears he earned. And what did he get..?
He got Scammed....by an official of the State organization , no less.
I don't know about the State tournament, nor am I a member of this State's organization, so I have not earned the ear of any on that body....but, I have an open question....Is the Illinois Checker Association affiliated with the ACF ? Is the Illinois Tournament sanctioned by the ACF ?
If so, than I do have an ear as a card carrying, dues paying ACF member in good standing.
Someone representing the ACF needs to condemn these actions , to NOT condemn is to condone.
Ingo, Titles do mean something. I am sure Nick would be proud to see his name on the same list as such legends as Case, Tanner, Fortman, Hefter, Ketchum, Martin and many others

This is a disgrace, and does not fall into the "shiit happens" category.......it falls into the "B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T" category.

Jay "cannot remain speechles any longer" Hinnershitz

[Alex_Moiseyev]

If the facts presented are correct and accurate

For the last 24 hours I learned more about this extremely unwelcome and unfortunate story and I should say that I don't take any side on this matter. Life is much more richer and complicated than any fantasy or imagination.

Based on the rumors which I heard it is appear like the first game among Gene and Gary definitely was played, and it is known that both Gene and Gary are fast players.

Round between Gene and Gary was seriously delayed because most players (including myself) didn't play last round and just wanted to get money and go home. Gene served all of them and only after this his play was resumed.

It is also appear like 2nd game may not completed fully or even played ... which indeed is crucial in terms of title fate.

In the meantime time I am trying to set Nick vs Gary match under conditions which satisfy both & some other people are trying to reach Gene. In any story there are always two sides.

Yet, everyone who incidentally involve in this story, don't feel comfortable.

Respectfully,

AM

[Alan Millhone]

Hello Jay:

Since you asked The " A " Class at this past week-end's tournament requires ACF Membership to play in the Masters. Dr. Beckwith and Kim Willis and myself have received several emails and the three of us as ACF Executive Officers are engaged in discussion . All I can offer for now..............................................

Sincerely:
Alan Millhone, President
American Checker Federation

[Eric Strange]

Another post from Nick Addante that he felt was relevant to this forum discussion.

"Gene arrived the saturday morning at the hotel to retrieve his reservation. Nick proposed to share a room and split the cost as Nick already had a very nice double room for the weekend. Gene agreed to save nick and himself some cost. The night before the final round Nick and Gene had a long discussion before bed about all sorts of things, including....Nick told Gene he wasn't going to set an alarm or use a wake up call, and rely on Gene, since he was the tournament director to wake him up in time the next morning so Nick could find a ride to the mall, as he told Kim and Alan he wouldn't be attending breakfast with them. Nick woke up on his own by stroke of luck to find all of Gene's stuff gone, and went downstairs to see Gene was checked out and leaving having neglected to wake Nick up at all. Nick got a ride from Roger Blaine to save the day, and when he first spoke to Gene, Gene said "I'm shocked to see you, I surely didn't think you'd wake up"

The following is a post from Eric Strange himself... the one and only.

This is an official statement by Nick who originally did not want to post this. I felt it was vital information pertaining to this topic.