3 moves US National 2016.

[JR Smith]

Here is the latest on Prize Fund I just received this email from Joe McDaniel Sun, July 10, 2016 at 9:01 AM
We now have $18,125 for the prize fund. Just notified ACF amounts and estimated entry fees.
Full Details: http://www.nccheckers.org/NCCA/2016%20J ... Letter.htm
George - Darlene Poster Display: http://www.nccheckers.org/NCCA/George%2 ... isplay.htm
2016 National Rules:http://www.nccheckers.org/NCCA/2016%20N ... 0Rules.htm

[Alex_Moiseyev]

I made reservation. Group rate is still there.

AM

[okrunjoe]

The 2016 National 3-move tournament prize fund is $18,125 as of today. The number of entrants should be around 50.
Joe

[Igor]

Looking at the upcoming US National, I think, why WCDF doesn’t use the great potential and opportunities of such event? From one part of its prize money it is possible to organize invitation and support for the best Checkers players from other countries. Making from the US National to the real US Open will boost the growth of popularity of our game, raise the prestige and value of the US tournament itself and for the foreign players it could be a good motivation to take part in the competition for the places in the US Open.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Making from the US National to the real US Open

Igor, our National always have Open status and you and other foreigners are more then welcome to come and play and win prize and have a chance become a champion. But only sponsors, not ACF, decide how to spend their money. This year most sponsors money go to prize. Joe can correct me if it's not accurate statement.

[Igor]

Alex, You did not understand my idea. Of course I know that each Checkers-player who has financial possibilities can come to US National. My main idea is to help some players who don’t have any financial support and to give them a chance. If to give some tickets to the US Open for the best foreign players (3-5) from WQT and World or European Cups that can lead to a raising of the fight for the best places as well as to motivate some players to participate in more competitions.

[John Acker]

To be honest, I think ACF members would prefer that the ACF help American players before international players, though individual players are of course welcome to make private donations. I know Lubabalo Kondlo received some private sponsorship for his match travel, and for at least one of his trips to the Nationals. I just don't think the ACF leadership has the financial savvy or transparency to organize a "checkers visa" program.

[George Hay]

I think golf and tennis pros go to tournaments at there own expense, but the top players more than make up for that with the prize money.
Certainly Igor has a good idea, but I would like to see that applied to the WCDF Qualifiers. Wouldn't it be great if the top players from each category,
general, women, and youth could get their expenses paid for! Of course, that takes money in the form of sponsorship and small contributions. For the U.S. National Tournament, I agree with John Acker on the formate, and hopefully the prize money will attract top players from anywhere and everywhere to contend for the prestigious title of U.S. Champion. Mr. Alex has inspired me to contribute a small donation to this years 3-Move National, his enthusiasm is contagious! (And I hope Mr. Alex wins and collects the top prize money!)

--George Hay

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Igor, do you want to invite me to play in some Europe event and help to promote Anglo-American Draughts ? In 2007 I played in Irish Open and they covered all my expanses. We can repeat this again.

I also can play in Italy Open next year and help them to promote checkers if they help me to cover my expanses.

If we have extra sponsors money like ACF this year, raising prices is one (not the only one!) way to promote checkers and also encourage players to work more on checkers and improve. If winner gets several $$$$, people got an idea that checkers in some cases maybe a way to make an extra bucks.

Igor, this is first year when we have such a giant prize fund. Before this I didn't hear anything about your idea and no one wanted to help us. But as soon as we (ACF) get money - we've got a good advisors and excellent advices - how to spend these $$$

AM

[Igor]

of course it is your business how to use your prize money...

[Alex_Moiseyev]

of course it is your business how to use your prize money...

Sometimes we have special funds - "Travel Funds" to help someone to collect money to cover expanses, or special funds - for instance - "Young Dream" Fund. We also often ask for small (and not small) contributions to support / organize some events.

So ... if we have extra thousand dollars - there are several ways to spend them. And instead helping one player to come, we also can award with small amount $50-$80 20 other people or reduce their expanses.

In general, as strong and one of the best players in World, I like your idea, but as old sceptic I have reasonable doubts it can be done some day in the nearest future ... unless some of us wins in lottery! I still remember how I was proud in 2007 when they called me to play in Irish Open after my match with Ron King was called off,

For ACF National 2016, prize is not the only financial benefit - we also have playing room coverage + hotel discount for everyone + trophies

AM

[Igor]

In fact there were only two players who could win the challenger tournament this year in Rome – Alex and Sergio. All others played the roles as statists and could only watch an exciting struggle between these two great players. So my thought was how to make WQT attractive for more players till the last game. But surely the ACF doesn’t have to put its own interests behind the WCDF.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

From many conversations, official information and rumors I heard - we can anticipate overturn this year at least 60+ players in 3 Divisions. This is fantastic !

AM

[bazkitcase5]

Besides the fact that the ACF should focus on American players first, I would also argue that with such a large prize fund, why should we help fund the best 3-5 players in the world to come in and then take more prize fund by playing well too?

Somebody that good should be able to pay their own way and a top 3 finish at this tournament should more than cover for their expenses

[John Acker]

Besides the fact that the ACF should focus on American players first, I would also argue that with such a large prize fund, why should we help fund the best 3-5 players in the world to come in and then take more prize fund by playing well too?

Somebody that good should be able to pay their own way and a top 3 finish at this tournament should more than cover for their expenses

That's a fair point, Clay. Perhaps the funding could be paid as a reimbursement, taking into account the player's tournament winnings. Or, we could do away with the silly "pay everyone" model of fund distribution, and say that only foreign players who finish out of the money are eligible for funding.