Chess Scotland Noticeboard

Andy McCulloch · King Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 280

I have been watching most of the activity at the British. Clement started off extremely well, but appears to have had a crisis of confidence in the last couple of rounds.

A number of Scots are competing at well above their level, eg. Andy MacQueen.

On the other hand, I do not understand the 'estimated' grade of 146 given to Kai Pannwitz in the under 11 and under 10 competitions.

Using the CS conversion factor, this would equate to a CS grade of 1640. Since Kai's live CS grade is only 1268, how has he been handicapped by such a high ECF grade? The draw must surely be unfavourable given such an overestimate of his grade.

Saying that, Kai is doing quite well in the under 11 event.

admin · Site Admin Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1386

Not sure of that one myself. Maybe it is the event organiser who has entered it wrong...

Jacqui Thomas · King Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 340

Andy Mc, being one of the highest grades is not unfavourable when the draws are done - it in fact usually protects from playing the highest graded so I dont see it as a disadvantage. As to where the figure came from ????

admin · Site Admin Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1386

I asked. ECF master database

robin moore · King Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 164

Everyone,

Please support Scottish chess first and play in any weekend congress that your time, work, finances will allow.

If you wish to play tournaments further afield, forget about playing in England, especially if they bring in that £6 addition to your entry fee.

Entering the "British" championships is a complete waste of money in my opinion.

If you want to get real value for money play in Europe.

Examples....Benidorm International (December) two main sections, Fide sub 2000 and 2000-2300. Flight £75 return (Easyjet Gla-Alicante), accomodation £350 all-inclusive for 10 nights including a free return transfer to Alicante airport, tournament entry £60. Ten rounds 70 prizes plus grading,junior,senior etc. 1st prize (sub 2000) 4600 euros 2nd prize 2600 euros 3rd prize 1600 euros.

Czech Open (Pardubice- July) eg sub 2000. Flight Edinburgh-Prague £150 return, transfers £10. Accomodation very near venue £100 for 9 nights in a shared room with own kitchen and shower-room. Tourney entry £35. Dinner per night in a wonderful old historic town inc drinks £10 max. (A pint at local bar 60p, at restaurant with dinner £1.)

I believe there were 10 of us at the Czech open event this year, the venue is the Cez arena ice hockey stadium which can be converted for concerts, exhibitions etc.

Think this must compare favourably with the British at Sheffield. Perhaps some of the guys there would post how much they paid.

Robin.

DGCongalton · Queen Joined: 07 Nov 2010 Posts: 113

Travel - £60 petrol
Accomodation - 15 nights £135
Entry Fees - 20 games, 4 tournaments £125
Playing in the same hall and at the same time as Nigel Short, Michael Adams et all - priceless.

Andy McCulloch · King Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 280

David, where exactly did you get accomodation at 9 quid a night?

robin moore · King Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 164

Errm, yes and how much are you paying for meals and drinks? Think there may have been a few more GM's playing beside us at the Czech Open if that's what your after, I believe it was 55 that were in Alan's section, in the same arena.

DGCongalton · Queen Joined: 07 Nov 2010 Posts: 113

Andy - Travelodge. £9 a night sale. Booked about 3 or 4 months back. Alarm was set for 5.30am. Sale started at 6am. I can make invoices available for inspection.

Robin - Meals & drinks - self catering from Asda, so just what I'd normally spend during a week.

GM's - For me, it's not quantity. It's knowing who the top players are.

Andy McCulloch · King Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 280

Some very astute preparation booking that far in advance. Did you have to flit between Lodges, or could you book the 15 nights straight in 1 location?

DGCongalton · Queen Joined: 07 Nov 2010 Posts: 113

Andy - 12 nights straight in 1 location but an odd couple of nights at the start and 1 tomorrow night. Fortunately, I'm lucky enough to be able to plan in advance and don't have work or family commitments that complicate matters.

Keith S Rose · Queen Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 107

DGC - what alerted you to the sale? Was it a lucky stumble on a surf or did you subscribe to some notification service?

robin moore · King Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 164

Somehow I think I would prefer having a lovely dinner served at beautiful restaurants every evening with a large group of friends in a stunning location, having my games analysed for free by an IM, enjoying a pint of delicious beer for 60p, going to organised pig roast and beer nights with live bands and playing in the European Open amateur championship against top sub 2000 players from central and eastern Europe. Mind you, there might be something to be said for living on cold sandwiches out of asda for 15 days in a travelodge.

DGCongalton · Queen Joined: 07 Nov 2010 Posts: 113

Each to their own, Robin. Obviously, your trip was much better than mine and wholly more enjoyable, as well as being much better value for money. I apologise profusely for providing the information you requested in a manner which may have implied I was recommending the British Championships over any tournament abroad you had enjoyed.

robin moore · King Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 164

Hehe, now David I know you are at it now, your bait is set but you are gonna need a bigger boat.