SUGGESTIONS WELCOME

[Danny_Alvarez]

I am thinking of running a tournament in Australia and I would like suggestions from both tournament organizers and players alike....
what is the best system in your opinion.... where do i find information about the differences?
how many players do i need b4 i run different divisions??? what should i do to be a competent match referee??
can i be referee and play too??
i will curtail my questions till later otherwise you might think i am clueless (which in fact i am, having never attended a tournament)

I don't know what the total turnout will be... I am hoping for 10-12 players.... (is this too optimistic??? )

this would be the first organized tournament that i know of for around 50 odd years.... so i am excited.

cheers
Danny Alvarez

[Palomino]

Danny,

The following link will take you to the ACF web-site page "Official Guide for ACF Tournament Directors".
http://www.usacheckers.com/tournamentguide.php

Assuming you were not aware of it..."Pal"

[MostFamousDane]

I am thinking of running a tournament in Australia and I would like suggestions from both tournament organizers and players alike....

OK I am going to give what will probably be the best advice you have ever gotten:

DON'T

[Jason Solan]

Danny,

The following link will take you to the ACF web-site page "Official Guide for ACF Tournament Directors".
http://www.usacheckers.com/tournamentguide.php

Assuming you were not aware of it..."Pal"

Just an FYI, the downloadable version (link at the top) is more up to date than text on the page. I started to go through and update the page itself but haven't finished.

http://www.usacheckers.com/TournamentGuide.doc

[Alex_Moiseyev]

DON'T

I give even better couple advices:

DO and DON"T LISTEN
___________________________________________________________________________


Number of attendants highly depends only on aggresiveness of advertisements in local media.

Do not hesitate to invite first time friends and buddies to raise this number.

Do it over the weekend and ask hotel administration for free playing room and guaranee them block of 5 rooms (10 people) for 2 nights.

Entry fee - $10-$20 which can be used for prices and/or small expances.

Create a small website (no forums )

Create Australian Checkers Federation (ACF haha !!!!!), run business meeting and elect a Federation board.

Alex

[john reade]

Or Australian Draughts Association (ADA!)

[Danny_Alvarez]

DON'T

I give even better couple advices:

DO and DON"T LISTEN
___________________________________________________________________________


Number of attendants highly depends only on aggresiveness of advertisements in local media.

Do not hesitate to invite first time friends and buddies to raise this number.

Do it over the weekend and ask hotel administration for free playing room and guaranee them block of 5 rooms (10 people) for 2 nights.

Entry fee - $10-$20 which can be used for prices and/or small expances.

Create a small website (no forums )

Create Australian Checkers Federation (ACF haha !!!!!), run business meeting and elect a Federation board.

Alex

Thanks for the encouragement Alex.... i think i will, i have been teetering for a while now and i just need to take a deep breath and plunge in and like you said just do it.

The name is still up in the air.... to avoid the ACF clash i was thinking
ACC (Australian Checkers Confederation) it's a wink and nod to all my friends from the american south where checkers is still alive and kicking and it also sounds more rebellious LOL
although John's suggestion is a fine one too.... i am still gathering courage and then ill worry about the name.

cheers
Danny

[kiwinurse]

Hi Danny, If you get the tournament up and running, i might be interested in attending,so let me know details,regards jan

[progenic]

Hi Danny
This is one idea I do support. When I first told people that I am going to teach Kindergarten children Checkers, they laughed at me but its growing. Now I see that someone has organized a Kindergarten Chess Championship in Singapore and its also growing in popularity island wide. I would say to you, just do it, don't worry about all the critics.

[liam stephens]

“Pay no attention to what the critics say;
no statue has ever been erected to a critic.”

Jean Sibelius Finnish Composer

[MostFamousDane]

“Pay no attention to what the critics say;
no statue has ever been erected to a critic.”

Jean Sibelius Finnish Composer

Here are some more quotes

"Good advice is often annoying--bad advice never is" - french proverb

"It is an easy thing for one whose foot
is on the outside of calamity
to give advice and to rebuke the sufferer." -Aeschylus

[Ingo_Zachos]

Dear Danny,

Do it!

but plz be prepared for three things:

I. You will have to pay.
You may find a sponsor, but don't count on it. Starting fees will not be enough to pay for all expenses.
Especially the very first tournament requires also to buy a stock of equipment which makes it more expensive this time.
But try to see it as an investment in future events. ppl. you will pay more then a 100 USD, and how much depends on your access to a possible venue, the turnout, how much price money u want to give away etc.

II. Don't be disappointed if the turnout is low.
Remember: two are a match and three are a tournament. Any player more then that should be appreciated and be welcome.
You are a pioneer and each 1st time is in reality less exciting then your high hopes.

III. Expect to get critizied
Some expect you to have a huge price money, others will not be satisfied with the turnout, the outcome, media coverage, material, arbiter performance, etc.
I would advice to take a bath in dragon blood, but as all dragons have been killed by ancient brave, but egoistic nordic heroes, you have to take it without any protection.
Listen to them .
If they offer advice or help, take it, if they only critizise, take it easy.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
After that, here are some practical advice:

1. make it an open event, open to all players, no exception.

2. buy some equipment. 12 boards and sets of pieces will do
The ACF has fine youth boards ain regular colors, which look cool.
Also try to get red and white backgammon pieces, they look very cool on regular boards, which especially the new players seem to be fond of.

Clocks are not necessary (expensive).
But you mighht ask a local chess club to help you with them and also how to run a tournament.
They probably have some know-how and will not turn their back on you and may provide you with printed pairing charts
http://www.tournamentdirector.co.uk/ind ... Itemid=159
, printed crosstables or software and maybe, if you are lucky, you can find some chess player who wants to try it.

3. make it GAYP at the 1st attempt. 3-move only puzzles the newcomers.

4. find a venue for 20 players for the 1st attempt.
If more are asking to play in advance, be scpetical, but only then look for a bigger room.
Accomodation in hotels, youth hostels etc. shoud be within walking distance and for a reasonable price.

5. Take time.
No need to play it this week. A few month preparation is possible to get the equipment, maybe watch how a chess tournament is run and find players, a venue, trophies (medals are also possible and make the ceremony look like Olympic games!)

6. Hold it each year. Make it a tradition.

7. Create a good athmosphere: a joint lunch break, a trip to a cafe/retaurant on the corner after they day is done can be much fun.
Provide at least drinks, but also some snacks for the players and if they have to be taken from the bus/train station, airport etc., try to be there, and try to make friends.

8. make it either 7-8 rounds on one day (holiday tournament) or a two days event (weekend tournamnet) with two games each round.
Each game should not last longer then an hour, so if u use clocks, 30 minutes per player per game looks fine.

9. dont worry about the system. If it is 10 or less, you can make a round robin, and for the rest 7 rounds swiss system will do. Avoid repairing. It only causes confusion, allows for arranged games twice, and should be abolished once and for all.

10. Good luck!



Greetinx from the other side of the world,

Ingo Zachos

[Jay H]

The name is still up in the air.... to avoid the ACF clash i was thinking
ACC (Australian Checkers Confederation)

cheers
Danny

Hey Danny,
How about Australian Checkers-Draughts Confederation= AC-DC !!!
Call up Angus and ask if you can use "Back in Black" as your theme song !!!!

Seriously, best of luck in your venture.....

Regards

Jay H

[Alex_Moiseyev]

3. make it GAYP at the 1st attempt. 3-move only puzzles the newcomers.

No way ! 3-moves is the best way to attract people. If you play it GAYP this year and then try to switch to 3-moves later next year - it will be harder.

[Ingo_Zachos]

3. make it GAYP at the 1st attempt. 3-move only puzzles the newcomers.

No way ! 3-moves is the best way to attract people. If you play it GAYP this year and then try to switch to 3-moves later next year - it will be harder.

Danny,

It is not hard to switch to 3-move later. We did this in Germany, and it worked so well that so far the record turnout was scored in a 3-move event in 2010, but ppl. more due to the fact that it was held in Korbach, where there is youth work, and that a hard core of checker lovers is now established here.
We even scored that record number without any foreign players, though they are always welcome.
In the early years foreign players even used to outnumber us at the German Open.

Alex is a World Champion, and he loves and advocates 3-move, but he never tried to establish checkers in a "underdeveloped" checker country.

Greetinx from Germany,

Ingo