Canadian Open 2016 ?

[Walter De Jong]

Re: Canadian Open 2016 ?

1. Gillanders
2. Leblanc
3. De Jong (NB, NS, PEI, NL, ON, QC, and Edmonton)

[Roger Patterson]

Re: Canadian Open 2016 ?

I agree with the general idea of this thread. The Canadian Open has become more prestigious with each new instalment. The next bidder wants to do better then the Queen Elizabeth hotel event.

Many Canadian Open have been organised "bingo style". This means that entry fees did cover all the expenses without any sponsor or municipal grant. Off course, "bingo style" tournament cannot attract foreign GM and offer norms.
Maybe we cannot have a marvellous Canadian Open each year, which does not mean that we should not have a Canadian Open each year.

you (and others in this thread) suggest that the Canadian Open can be run on a modest budget largely supported by entry fees. Sure, but when someone does so, threads like this show up:

http://www.chesstalk.info/forum/show...2734#post52734

with very little push back from the community. It's no wonder that organizers who could put on such an event or who are in smaller communities do not come forward. You have some way to go in educating people that the point of the Canadian Open is not a "star studded extravaganza" but that it migrates around Canada to places big and small and that IS the point.

It has been apparent for a number of years that this idea that each Canadian Open must be a big event with scores of GMs is not sustainable. I can remember Bob Gillanders posting that many years ago. The silver lining of this year's failure to have an event at all is that perhaps it will temper the expectations of some of the populace.

[Erik Malmsten]

Re: Canadian Open 2016 ?

I remember a couple of years ago the Mississauga CC was preparing a bid for the CO. Can they try again? They brag of how successful they are. They can do it!

[Terry Chaisson]

Re: Canadian Open 2016 ?

4. T. Chaisson (AB, SK, PEI, NB, NS)

[Bob Gillanders]

Re: Canadian Open 2016 ?

Canadian Open 2016 - Pre registered list

1. Bob Gillanders - anywhere in Canada
2. Paul Leblanc
3. John Brown - Sackville and ?
4. Walter De Jong - NB, NS, PEI, NL, ON, QC, and Edmonton
5. Terry Chaisson - AB, SK, PEI, NB, NS
6. Bob Armstrong - anywhere in Canada

[Bob Gillanders]

Re: Canadian Open 2016 ?

I remember a couple of years ago the Mississauga CC was preparing a bid for the CO. Can they try again? They brag of how successful they are. They can do it!

"preparing a bid" is overstating it a little. After our initial pondering of "why don't we host a CO?", sober second thought provided the answer. Actually preparing a bid will only happen if/when community expectations match what we can do.

[Walter De Jong]

Re: Canadian Open 2016 ?

Actually preparing a bid will only happen if/when community expectations match what we can do.

How will you know when community expectations match what you can do? (My own opinion: they already do).

On a related note - I'm curious why several others found the Sackville event so enjoyable. Whatever made it enjoyable - can that be emulated elsewhere?

[Paul Leblanc]

Re: Canadian Open 2016 ?

Halifax is the logical host for the 2016 Canadian Open. Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and BC have hosted the most recent 6, time to move to Atlantic Canada.
I don't think it would be very expensive to get a handful of titled players from Quebec, Ontario and New England. It doesn't have to be fancy.

[Hal Bond]

Re: Canadian Open 2016 ?

You may recall Paul, Halifax was interested in 2014. Montreal was also keen, and was awarded the event with Halifax getting the option for 2015. Halifax could not arrange a bid in 2015. I suspect that the summer is peak tourism time for many maritime locations, hence choices like Edmundston and Sackville.

[Rick Garel]

Re: Canadian Open 2016 ?

Count me in for Ontario. I'm quite disappointed about the lack of a Labour day Tournament this year.

[Tom O'Donnell]

Re: Canadian Open 2016 ?

How will you know when community expectations match what you can do? (My own opinion: they already do).

On a related note - I'm curious why several others found the Sackville event so enjoyable. Whatever made it enjoyable - can that be emulated elsewhere?

For me:

1) It was held in a room with windows. Lots of windows. I care more about windows than carpets, tablecloths, etc. Playing in locations with no windows is to me depressing.

2) The residence was walking distance to the site. I forget how far but something like ten minutes I think. You could prepare until almost the last minute.

3) It was held at a university. Universities are WAY better than hotels for hosting things like this, imo. I think I've enjoyed all the university COs more than the hotel COs that I've played in (maybe four or five of each). You can go outside and see some grass. Maybe even walk in the grass. Lie in the grass. I like grass. Trees, too. Hardly anyone else around as the students are for the most part not there in summer.

4) The place was small and quiet. I am sure if you are 25 you care about nightlife, etc. Me, I care about getting some sleep and some fresh air between rounds.

Having Christiansen and Miles there was a nice bonus.


That's it for now. There may have been other reasons.

NB 5) The place seemed to care that there was a tournament. So a few of the places made allowances like staying open late. It mattered to the community that we were there in the sense that say 100+ people from out-of-town meant money for the local economy. Some city of 250K+ is not going to care at all.

[Hugh Brodie]

Re: Canadian Open 2016 ?

Sackville - I think the one Chinese restaurant in town was closed for vacation during the Open. :-)

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Re: Canadian Open 2016 ?

the Sackville event so enjoyable.

The event was reported by Kevin Spraggett in En Passant August, 2001. If you'll google long enough, you would find the magazine at http://neven.ca/pdf/enpassant/ep169_200108.pdf
The same issue had a report about the CYCC as well.

After reading the editorial in the magazine >> nothing has changed in 15 years - a 3-games issue on Saturday was actual then as now LOL

[Bob Armstrong]

Re: Canadian Open 2016 ?

We are all disappointed with the absence of the Canadian Open this year. So, what about next year? Are we going to let it slip away as well? There is an interesting discussion taking place at the CFC annual meeting currently underway. I am particularly delighted to see this post from Aris Marghetis.

I might be offbase here, but one of my suspicions is that the CO has in recent years morphed into trying to be something bigger than it is. I'm not sure how many COs and QOs I've played in, maybe a dozen? and I can say that Sackville was one of my favourites! In my humble opinion, once you start aiming for the big foreign names, it starts to jig the whole financial structure, quickly leading to a daunting challenge to accommodate 300 players, etc. I suspect the vast majority of 1500-2000 players just want a chesscation where they can regularly meet up with old friends, maybe golf during the day, grab beers after their round, etc. At the same time, we keep pressuring different people to run the event the same way, 9 rounds over 8 days, right after the CYCC (which is right after the World Open), before the Quebec Open, etc. I think we could see more interest if we let potential Organizers figure out winning formulas FOR THEIR SITUATION. That's what the Quebec Open has done for decades. That's what North Bay did for years. I think we might be pleasantly surprised at some fresh new ideas, and not jump all over them on ChessTalk. But this is going to take time and genuine effort. I am quite disappointed at what appears to be complaining towards the CFC that we didn't have a CO. The CFC is just a bunch of volunteers. More people need to step up more, drive rather than complain.

Great post Aris. I completely agree. So, what can we do to encourage bids from organizers willing to host such a Canadian Open? I suggest we start a players pledge list.

Canadian Open 2016 - Pre registered list

1. Bob Gillanders - anywhere in Canada
2.
3.
4.

Post on this thread and I'll add your name.
If you can only pledge for your city or province, that’s okay, just specify.
For me, anywhere in Canada. A great opportunity to meet many great people I only now meet by email.

Let’s encourage those organizers who maybe sitting on the fence.

Hi Bob G:

Yup.....anywhere in Canada for 2016 - put me on the "encouragement pre-reg list"!

And I'd love to go East again.

Bob A

[Bob Gillanders]

Re: Canadian Open 2016 ?

Sackville - I think the one Chinese restaurant in town was closed for vacation during the Open. :-)

But I recall the pizza was fantastic. It was a Pizza Delight franchise, I thought it was delicious.
Shortly after returning to Ontario, I tried out the Pizza Delight franchise in Waterdown, but it just wasn't the same. Still good, but just good.

Anyway, here is the updated list.

Canadian Open 2016 - Pre registered list

1. Bob Gillanders - anywhere in Canada
2. Paul Leblanc
3. John Brown - Sackville and ?
4. Walter De Jong - NB, NS, PEI, NL, ON, QC, and Edmonton
5. Terry Chaisson - AB, SK, PEI, NB, NS
6. Bob Armstrong - anywhere in Canada, prefers down East.

I see our somewhat not impressive list hasn't inspired any organizers yet?
How about it folks, "take the pledge".
I think St. John's Nfld would be great. The only province I haven't been to yet!