11 man ballot National.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

$70 per night is a bit challenging for me. Looking for roommate ... who is OK with smoking in the room.

Regards,

Alex

[Alan Millhone]

Hello Mr. Alex:

Dr. Beckwith is planning on riding down with me to the 11-Man Ballot Nationals and likely we will share a room. Low room rates are scarce anymore, except in Las Vegas. This should be an exciting 1st. time Nationals and a great honor and showing of respect to GM Elbert Lowder. Looking forward to seeing you and many other players there.

I have an old 11-Man Ballot deck that Mr. Newell W. Banks gave me at my home in 1969. I wonder how many players will have their own decks ?

Sincerely:
Alan Millhone, President
American Checker Federation

[JR Smith]

Alan, I ordered 10 decks and gave them out at our District IV Tournament in November. I have 15 more decks, some I have laminated which will be on hand at the tournament. You can order them from Evelyn & Ernie Micallef, 16 Romac Dr. Scarboro, Ontario, Canada MIC 4V6, 416-287-9616 dgoodw9616@rogers.com They are $6.00 a deck plus shipping/postage. These are the 9 card decks, with one instruction card and 8 ballots designed by Newell Banks. You can get an idea about the 11-Man System and a look at them by clicking on lighlighted blue ballot cards on the url below

http://www.nccheckers.org/NCCA/11-Man%2 ... System.htm

This should be a wonderful 11-Man Tournament with a large number of players participating. This should be a permanent ACF National Tournament. An Elbet Lowder Memorial, Albemarle, NC is the birthplace of Elbert Lowder, a fitting tribute to Mr. Lowder - January 31st thru February 3rd, 2008

[Alex_Moiseyev]

JR, can you help me with roommate ? Any ideas about prices ?

Alex

[JR Smith]

Alex, I would be honored to room with you. I will book the room and we can settle up at the tournament. We might bunk in like we did in Mooresville several years ago for District IV. I had a tuff time deciding about if we wanted a nice place or something cheap. There are $29.00 rooms in Albemarle but you might wake up missing a radio, gas, or wheels. I did get cheap rates in Greensboro several years ago but I think most will tell you its worth staying at a nice place, you get what you pay for. Everything is in the 75-85 range and most all of them want you to pay for the meeting room. That's why we need to rent 15 rooms.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

I will book the room and we can settle up at the tournament.

Deal, many thanks ! It is my pleasure and honor too to share room with you for few nights during this historical event.

Alex

[Alan Millhone]

Hello Everyone:

Mr. Lowder as we all know was the current 11-Man Ballot World's Champion. Will the winner of this tournament be named the new 11-Man World's Champion till challenged to a match ? That is the way I see it happening and appreciate any comments. At present this will be a new and unique event under ACF governance.

Question for JR : Have entry fees been set as yet ? Will ACF or WCDF ratings be used to place any player in question and will you have a 'seeding' committee for any player questions as far as entry level ? Will clocks be used in Masters ? Will Masters record games and turn same into referee for historical preservation of this event ?

Sincerely:
Alan Millhone, President
American Checker Federation

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Will the winner of this tournament be named the new 11-Man World's Champion till challenged to a match ?

Alan, of course - NO. National is National, it has nothing to do with World Title. 11 man ballot World Title historically was always played in matches and only match can identify next title holder.

This my personal interpretation of traditions.

As last Elbert opponent for the World title, although drawing this match, I'll be glad to play such match with anyone, including winner of this (11 man ballot USA National) event , but until this (or other) match, the title is vacant.

Another scenario could be, if first top 2 players in this event play match under the rule: until someone wins. In case of drawn match tie-breaks with short time control shall be play.

Question for JR : ...

Alan, from many questions you asked JR, one more important is missing - about prices !


Respectfully,

Alex Moiseyev

[JR Smith]

Alan Questions:

Mr. Lowder as we all know was the current 11-Man Ballot World's Champion. Will the winner of this tournament be named the new 11-Man World's Champion till challenged to a match ? That is the way I see it happening and appreciate any comments. At present this will be a new and unique event under ACF governance.

Have entry fees been set as yet ? Will ACF or WCDF ratings be used to place any player in question and will you have a 'seeding' committee for any player questions as far as entry level ? Will clocks be used in Masters ? Will Masters record games and turn same into referee for historical preservation of this event ?

#1 Elbert was the 11-Man World Champion from 1990 to his death. Defeating Leo Levitt in their 20 Games Match World 11-Man Title WCM September 25 - 29th, 1990 held at "ICHF" in Petal, MS. Elbert Lowder beat Leo Levitt 5W-1L-11D. He defended this title in a 2002 World 11-Man Ballot World Championship Match (Moiseyev vs Lowder) October 11-14th at the Parks and Recreation Center, Richmond, Kentucky. 20 games, which World Eleven-Man Champion Elbert Lowder was challenged by Alex Moiseyev. Resulting: 6W-6L-8D which was not enough to dethrone Lowder.

I would assume we would follow tradition and a WCM would dictate the next 11-Man WC. I like the idea Alex has proposed that the winner of this National and its runner up play a WCM to determine our new 11-Man WC. Historically, there was at least one occasion where a WC declared his title upon death or retirement of the former World Champion, because of his position as 2nd place finish or next in line until he was challenge to defend it, which he did. Here again this should be documented by ACF and WCDF.

#2 I indicated from the e-flyer posted on Tournament Calendar that we would play 3 divisions if we had enough players to fill the 3 groups. I also stated $25 entry fee, ACF Membership, and clocks/recorded games in the top level. This is required in Masters Class and games would be made available as we do 3-Move and GAYP. Tim Laverty is the official scorekeeper and referee. He has knowledge and definitely would group the players according to their ratings. We will have both current ACF & WCDF ratings on record. Clocks and Ballot Decks will be available. Players can use their own method of recording games. I would hope we can get GM Alex Moiseyev, Tim Laverty, Richard Beckwith, John Webster, or any other capable GM/Masters to voluntarily annotate the 50 Best Games and publish it, in addition to providing Masters Recorded Games PDN file that were turn into referee for historical preservation of this event. We could solicit an advance mailing contributors list to help raise prize fund money as in past Nationals.

#3 'seeding' committee: With out getting too complicated I would suggest we let the Scorekeeper/Referee be the sole judge of this. I would think the Masters would group out basically as in 3-Move and Majors and Minors would follow suit. Referee would use the traditional ACF rating range to make the separation. This being the first 11-Man National I also suspect to see some players requesting to play down one level. I would hope that all participates would be gentlemen and play in their respective class. You will find that 11-Man is not much different than 3-Move when you first started play 3-Move. It will require you to think and visualize, since you do not know pp lines.

#4 Prize Fund: This is an effort, and I’m still working on it. Of course all entry fees will go back into the pot. I have adequate meal coupons & discounts as door prizes. I need help on the Prize Fund! I will take care of the meeting room minimum deficit requirement if we don’t meet our 15 room commitment. I’m working with three businessmen in Albemarle and just maybe they or one will come through. Chamber of Commerce hasn’t committed.

Copied from Tournament Calendar:

Make your reservations early, block of Double Queens or King reserved until January 25th under "NC Checkers" Special Tournament Rates $70.00 704-983-2770 Ms. Tiffany Roberts, Hotel Rep. or Matt McNeil, mgr. choicehotels.com

Registration:7:30-8AM Brief Business Session, Door prizes, review rules & schedules-paring, Play Begins at 9AM Entry Fee: $25 ACF membership required, 4 day Tournament - Thursday thru Sunday
4½ Hour Clock - Allows 2¼ per Game and 2 Rounds per day, Thursday thru Saturday and one round Sunday, Break for 1½ Hour Lunch – various restaurants & eateries in walking distance and numerous others just a short drive. Start at 8 AM Friday thru Sunday – 1 Round before Lunch and 1 afterwards. except for single round on Sunday. 7 Rounds of Swiss style play scored by game. Tim Laverty Official Referee/Scorekeeper

View the Tournament Calendar – http://www.nccheckers.org

The tournament consists of 3 divisions, provided enough players participate to fill 3 groups. ACF Membership required. Clocks & Recorded games required in top class, (others may request). Two rounds will be played on Thursday, thru Saturday and one round on Sunday, which should allow early return home. Most players would be arriving Wednesday so provisions to register Wednesday evening will be open in playing room by 3:00 PM, a warm-up practice session for early arrivals. Each round will be a total time of 270 minutes for each side of the clock. This allows the player 2 hours and 15 minutes per game. Rules and prize fund schedule will be displayed in playing room. 11man ballot decks also available at tourney.

Some discussion on forum in January 2007 about: "Yes, but 4 days. One of my idea was - no Divisions at all ! One big Swiss tournament where everyone can win a National Champ Title. Makes a lot of sense and more attractive. Having 4 days allow to run up to 12 rounds (3x4), one round - one opening, 2 games, in total - 6 games a day." We can vote on this if the majority wants more games at the opening business session.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Due to National status of event, I had submitted it for registration and including into FMJD 2008 Calendar. If any of you are aware of National / International Anglo-American checkers events, exact dates and locations, you can add your entry to calendar here:

http://www.fmjd.org/?p=forms

It would be better to feel Calendar as much as we can in the beginning of year.

Sincerely,

Alex

[JR Smith]

Thanks Alex, for the infor on FMJD 2008 Calendar. I have included the 11-Man and several others

[Alex_Moiseyev]

JR, I believe we need a trophies and/or certificates/diplomas. Nothing expansive. You can get small/medium size of trophy or column for about $15-$20 (the cheapest deal) but it will be very memorable.

You also can order a special signs and.or pins for this event, or customize trophies.

I can't wait to see and play in this event. I would estimate turnout around 30 players. Am I too optimistic or pessimistic ?

Regards,

Alex

[JR Smith]

Alex I sent you a PM about trophies and certificates.

Here is a Newspaper announcement... http://www.nccheckers.org/NCCA/1-8-2008 ... &Press.htm

It was run in Stanly News & Press, Greensboro News - Record, Burlington Times-News, Raleigh Observer, Fayetteville, Charlotte Observer, High Point Enterprise.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

http://www.nccheckers.org/NCCA/2008%20E ... %20Nat.htm

WOW ! Very nice, JR - I like everything. I hope it will be memorable for all of us and become a good tradition and permanent annual 11-man ballot National.

Alex

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Just brought it up I like JR pictures and views of hotel and location. "Old America" spirit !

Someone asked me a question couple days ago: "Alex, who may be your major competitor (s) in this event ?" and I was unable to answer. There are many strong players around, masters and grandmasters, but 11 man ballot requires tremendous cross aboard skills and real strategy understanding.

So - what do you think ?

Unfortunately, in the recent past several years we didn't hear too many new names in USA who come up to arena. I hope things will change in better directions in the nearest future !

This 11 man ballot National is a great new initiative, and I want to thanks Alan Millhone and JR who made it real. Elbert Lowder is not with us anymore but the title which he owed is still alive !

Alex