A new Canadian GM!

[Mathieu Cloutier]

Re: A new Canadian GM!

Most of the money we receive from the contract with the FQE goes to sponsor the team. This might account for 75% of the base price.

Hey that's... great, I guess. I still don't understand that deal, but whatever.

[Fred McKim]

Re: A new Canadian GM!

If memory serves correctly, the Open team players each received a $500 stipend for 2012. More often than not, the stipend has been zero. Of course transportation, accommodations, and meals are always covered.

The Belzberg's funded the Open team on 2 or 3 occasions. It was a performance based system where players were paid per win.

Most of the money we receive from the contract with the FQE goes to sponsor the team. This might account for 75% of the base price.

I guess a good question for Eric is how much is fair compensation ? We so far have two $1,000 donations (I assume they are dependent on us securing Eric, Anton and Bator and 2 IM's). Right now we don't have any other active GM's who would be willing to play.

[John Coleman]

Re: A new Canadian GM!

Hal, is the CFC considering NOT sending teams to the Olympics? I thought the Olympics were funded from general revenue.

The question has been raised, how much of a stipend/bursary/wage is appropriate for GMs on the Canadian team. Any thoughts?

[Hal Bond]

Re: A new Canadian GM!

This is one of those difficult questions, and it is not new! Spraggett was not the only strong player who resented giving up the better part of a month for Canada when the rent and other bills keep on coming. Like so many others, he could not afford it! Being compensated for one’s time is rare in Canadian chess. Too much of the load is dependent on volunteers. It took at least a day's work to get Kovalyov's transfer done. No one was paid for that on this side of the pond.

At the CFC AGM this year I was not quick enough to decline the nomination as Olympic Fundraiser. This will be my third straight assignment and I am not optimistic. It has never been easy. We have our lost charitable status, and frankly I question the resolve of our membership to shoulder the burden of another Olympic delegation. If anyone wants the job you will have a listener in me – halbond AT sympatico DOT ca

A 12 member delegation will cost about $20k before anyone scores a stipend. To Larry Bevand and J. Ken McDonald, I thank you for your generous offers! I hope you will inspire others to follow suit.

[Vlad Dobrich]

Re: Re : Re: A new Canadian GM!

I find this line of thinking a bit strange. Even if someone is not "compensated for his time" playing at the Olympiad, surely there's some benefit to gaining name recognition as a player and experience against top opposition. Just think of the attention that Pascal's win against Anand or Mark's win against Topalov generated.

Of course our top grandmasters should jump at the chance to show their stuff at the next olympiad! Just think of the recognition - the ADULATION -
it makes you swoon just to imagine it!
And furthermore, the recognition and $2 will get you a coffee at ANY Starbucks!! Wow!

Back to the real world - would all expenses plus $2,000 be sufficient compensation for the GM's? At least it should be a starting point for negotiations.
If acceptable, the needed $10,000 could probably be raised be interested parties. If you double the amount, it becomes questionable.
Let's hear from the GM's..........

[Vlad Drkulec]

Re: Re : Re: A new Canadian GM!

I find this line of thinking a bit strange. Even if someone is not "compensated for his time" playing at the Olympiad, surely there's some benefit to gaining name recognition as a player and experience against top opposition. Just think of the attention that Pascal's win against Anand or Mark's win against Topalov generated.

Perhaps this is not the best set of examples when you cite two players who while both great players are now not playing chess. Obviously the attention was not enough.

[Patrick Kirby]

Re: Re : Re: A new Canadian GM!

I find this line of thinking a bit strange. Even if someone is not "compensated for his time" playing at the Olympiad, surely there's some benefit to gaining name recognition as a player and experience against top opposition. Just think of the attention that Pascal's win against Anand or Mark's win against Topalov generated.

[Felix Dumont]

Re : Re: A new Canadian GM!

Just a thought- how much will the Canadian Olympic hockey team be compensated for going to Sochi next year? OK, maybe not the fairest comparison with chess given the kind of money NHLers earn- easy for them to say "this is just about representing my country"

Actually, chess players do pretty well in comparison with most sports (obviously not all sports though). I knew people who were on the Olympic team for some sports, like ice skating, and they wished they earned as much money as Canadian professional chess players do. They are obviously not paid to play in international competitions.

[Ken Kurkowski]

Re: A new Canadian GM!

Just a thought- how much will the Canadian Olympic hockey team be compensated for going to Sochi next year? OK, maybe not the fairest comparison with chess given the kind of money NHLers earn- easy for them to say "this is just about representing my country"

[Gary Hua]

Re: A new Canadian GM!

It will be fantastic if Canada can have the best squad for the Olympiad

[Ken MacDonald]

Re: A new Canadian GM!

There is no doubt that a team event is about giving back. The Olympiad is even more, as everyone gets to meet old friends and make new friends. When I went as an arbiter in the early 80's, it was memories and friendships for life. I am sure Canada is prepared to support an all GM Canadian team...we have time...the CFC should take a leadership roll here...and let's make it happen! Vlad...I will throw $1,000 of my own money into the pot...provided we have an all GM Canadian team at the next Olympiad :)

Larry

Does all GM mean 4 GMs and another player OR 5 GMs?

I will match your offer, Larry.

The fact that many Canadian players (current or former) who have done well in life never seem to step up perturbs me.

Maybe this would be a good time to do so?

What is the going "cost" of a GM for an event like this?

It would take a serious Team Captain for an all GM team!

[Gary Ruben]

Re: A new Canadian GM!

I doubt they could get 5 GMs who are near their top playing strength. That is, not rusty.

I notice Larry is willing to chip in and am wondering roughly how much in total compensation would be necessary for the players. Without some kind of goal it becomes a fishing expedition.

[Larry Bevand]

Re: A new Canadian GM!

There is no doubt that a team event is about giving back. The Olympiad is even more, as everyone gets to meet old friends and make new friends. When I went as an arbiter in the early 80's, it was memories and friendships for life. I am sure Canada is prepared to support an all GM Canadian team...we have time...the CFC should take a leadership roll here...and let's make it happen! Vlad...I will throw $1,000 of my own money into the pot...provided we have an all GM Canadian team at the next Olympiad :)

Larry

[Eric Hansen]

Re: A new Canadian GM!

Yes! Maybe an all GM Canadian team for the next Olympiad! First ever!

A nice thought but probably wishful thinking. I don't plan to play next year unless I am compensated for my time. I believe Anton is of a similar mind as well.

I spoke to Kevin here in Barcelona about the Olympiad but it seems he is no longer interested in playing and would rather watch the new generation.

[Larry Bevand]

Re: A new Canadian GM!

Interesting to see that this moves Canada up 5 places in the international FIDE standings - from 42nd where we have been for several years to 37th.

34 Uzbekistan................ 2525
35 Iceland..................... 2523
36 Latvia....................... 2522
37 Canada.................... 2514
38 Slovakia.....................2510
39 Bosnia & Herzegovina 2506
40 Peru......................... 2503

The number is the average FIDE rating of each country's top ten players.
With both Hansen and Hambleton spending a year in Europe, they could increase our number by 10 points should they each gain 50 rating points.

Hopefully Eric and Aman will inspire Kevin to come back to the Canadian Olympic team...we have great players when they play as a team!