2012 Pa State

[neilwenberg]

I do not mean to sound disruptive or that I am seeing sourgrapes, but I feel I must make two comments on the 2012 PA State Checker Tourney. First, as previously stated a Friday/Saturday tourney would have allowed Amish players to particpate. Ike King, a master class PA Amish, would have been a good addition to the 2012 event and I feel that Joe Weaver, an Ohio Amish, would have also attended as he went to both VA and Dist 4 events last year. This could possibly have led to more Amish players being attendance. Secondly, I personally feel that a $60 entry fee for the tourney is ridiculous and will turn away more players who would be willing to attend. I plan to be in attendace even though I disagree extremely with a $60. fee. Thank you for allowing me to vocie my complaints here.

[steve]

i agree with Neil.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Announcement says that $1,000 in prize money are guarnteed but it doesn't say exactly - what will be the first price in the highest Division.

For me it's just strictly financial deal, not much fun driving 6-7 hours one way.

1) Two nights $62 + taxes per night - approximately $140

2) Gas expances - 3 tanks from Columbus, another $150 assuming $4 per gallon in average.

3) Entry fee - $50.

4) Food $25 per day - another $50 (without $10 for cigarets)

In total aproximately $400 for two days.

So ... what will be the first price in Grandmaster Division ?

Any incentives for reigning World Champions (me, Ron King and Amangul Berdiyeva) ?

Regards,

Alex

[Chexhero]

Though I myself don't mind the higher cost, I do think Neil has a valid point too. If you want to attract new players to come play in their first tournament, you need to keep the entrance fee down. A higher prize is good, but new players are mostly going to be concerned about the entrance fee. 60 dollars is a lot for a normally small tournament. Now even two frequent players in John and Alex might not even attend. I give credit to Ray for implementing some new ideas for this tournament, but I am not sure if they are the best way to go.

[Alan Millhone]

Hello everyone:

I read all posts . Plan on being there and reserve my comments.
Sincerely:
Alan Millhone, President
American Checker Federation

[Michael Holmes]

The IL tourney is a professionally organized tournament and it runs smoothly. The entry fee is only $10.00 too. My point is that few players showed up this year so I do not think how it is organized, ran, or the entry fee had anything to do with it.

I am proud to say that I will have an opportunity to play in this tourney if they still have spots open. I am awaiting an email from the organizers concerning my attendance and my son's attendance.

I think this is something new and should be tried several times before a verdict should be reached. I think it will be a great turnout and I am hoping for the best.

Michael Holmes

[Michael Holmes]

We are looking forward to this tournament

[neilwenberg]

I talked with Ray Shelly by phone and found that I would be able to play in major chass at PA tourney. I then contacted Jason Solan and he will hold a place for me as one of 8 players in the major class. I look forward to being at the tournament and playing checkers with my checker friends. I hope to do better than eighth in the major class, but if that is where I finish I will be fine with it because of being able to meet many checker friends. I am looking forward to a tremendous tourney with a little different format than previous PA checker events.
I only have one axe to grind and because I am a "Fighting Sioux" (graduate of University of North Dakota) I will not sharpen the axe enough to hurt anyone. The reason I wanted a Friday/Saturday venue is that then Amish players would play. If one looks at the Greensboro Open CT results, he will find 3 Amish players attended: Joe Weaver 8/19, Harley Hochstetler 9/19, and John Troyer 13/19. All three of these fellows are from Ohio. My deduction here is that if they would drive from OH to NC to play in a checker tourney, they would certainly want to attend a PA tourney (much, much, closer) if Sunday did not enter into the tournament format. Also Ike King, an Amish, a Master Class player from Lancaster would also probably attend. I would also respectfully ask Ray and Jason to possibly consider a Fri/Sat tourney for 2013. Hope this does not "rock the boat" too much. Respectfully, Neil Wenberg

[Michael Holmes]

I understand your point. Friday tournaments also make it hard for those with jobs on Monday through Friday to attend to due job conflicts. I have missed too many of the Strawberry TN tournaments due to this as I will again this year.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Friday tournaments also make it hard for those with jobs on Monday through Friday to attend to due job conflicts. I have missed too many of the Strawberry TN tournaments due to this as I will again this year.

I totally agree with Michael. Friday is good for people without regular week day duties:

1) Prior 5 years (before school)
2) After 67 - retired
3) Unemployed
4) Self-employed with flexable schedule like Amish and farm people

For anyone else - wroking people and/or school/college students it causes a problem. I didn't miss Strawberry in the past several years, but it caused me an extra vacation day.

One argument I often heard to support "Friday Schedule" - Sunday Church activity. However in many tournaments which capture Sunday I saw a special fellowhip on Sunday morning for players (like TN) and this always works very well making everyone happy. This is the way it can be done if organisers have intention to do this.

Regards,

Alex

[Chexhero]

I also spoke with Ray Shelly by phone the other day regarding this PA tournament. To my surprise, there will actually be 5 divisions, not 4. Though I still question this format, Ray did assure me that there will be a good turnout. There are several new players he knows of that will be there. He believes it will definitely be more people than the 13 mark last year. I am also going to encourage my father to come to play in one of the lower divisions. It be nice to get some more good players like Alex and Michael to come out and meet some of these new players and maybe show them something. Also, has anyone heard from Jason Solan? Been trying to get a hold of him regarding rating updates I want to make, but haven't heard from in.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

It be nice to get some more good players like Alex and Michael to come

Joe, I may come but chances are not very big - due to tie vacation and finances. I also don't know - in what Division Ray wants to put me.

[Chexhero]

1. Minor, 16 years old or younger. Will be playing GAYP.
2. Minor, for those that have never won a Minor tournament anywhere. 3 move.
3. Major, for those that have never won a Major or "Class 'B' " tournament anywhere. 3 move.
4. Master, for those that have never won a Master tournament. 3 move.
5. Grand Master, for those that have taken first place in a Masters tournament before. 3 move.

Judging by that Alex, it seems you would be playing in the grandmaster division, most likely with Rich and Michael Holmes if he comes. But I think it is a good possibility he could combine divisions if there aren't enough players in some. I will talk to him more about that. I will see if we could possibility get you any kind of discount for the tournament.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

I will see if we could possibility get you any kind of discount for the tournament.

Not a good terminology though It will better to say "incentives" instead "discounts" !

BTW. I never won Minors or Major Division, class "B" anytime anywhere. Can be qualify for Divisions #2 and/or #3.

To be honest I should say that one time in NC event JR was short of trophies and gave me one where it's written: "Winner of Minor Division"

[neilwenberg]

I think Alex should play n the minor class that is under 16!!!!