FIDE and CFC ratings for Olympiad-2018

[Hugh Brodie]

Re: FIDE and CFC ratings for Olympiad-2018

Jean Hébert played in the World Seniors Team championships (50+) in Germany in June-July 2016 (8 FIDE-rated games). He also played in several FQE events. Under the CFC-FQE agreement, shouldn't games rated/played under one system count as being rated (or just being "played") under the other system?

[Erik Malmsten]

Re: FIDE and CFC ratings for Olympiad-2018

It's important that players in shape go, not inactive ones who take a while to warm up. Looking at FIDE games we can see players who are active internationally such as Hambleton and Thavandiran. Should their games with foreign GMs count more than the local swisses?

CFC games played in the past year/
FIDE rated games since the Olympia Oct. 2016
2666 Bareev 0/ 0
2643 Kovalyev 0/ 10
2614 Hansen 0/ 15
2539 Sambuev 66/ 33
2534 Spraggett 0/ 21
2525 Lesiege 16/ 27
2496 Preotu 18/ 5
2473 Noritsyn 11/ 11
2471 Hambleton 0/ 58
2463 Roussel-Roozman 18/ 10
2453 Dimitri Tyomkin 0/ 6
2445 Tomas Krnan 5/ 14
2423 Michael Song 21/ 26
2400 Raja Panjwani 0/ 0
2395 Bindi Cheng 5/ 5
2393 Zong Yang Yu 19/ 19
2383 Edward Porper 0/ 11
2369 Jean Hebert 0/ 0
2363 Shiyam Thavandiran 0/ 46

[Gary Hua]

Re: FIDE and CFC ratings for Olympiad-2018

From what I know, the primary way organizers around the world attract IMs and GMs is by offering them conditions that cover their expenses (and perhaps a bit more) and provide them the chance to more than break even by having a decent prize fund. This not only gets strong players to organizers' tournaments, but provides needed support for people who are trying to make a go at being a chess professional - something which is not the best paying job in the world.

Perhaps the right question organizers should be asking is how to support our nation's professional chess players, rather than how could they support us? Asking people who do not earn much to subsidize the efforts of people who organize tournaments and those that enjoy chess as a hobby is not really fair in my opinion.

Spot on !!! It is just not feasible for a full time professional chess player to be able to live off the prize money in chess tournaments in Canada. Sad but the truth....He has to also teach ( at least half of his time ) students to live a decent life....

It's a known fact and organizers are not doing much as well as most of organizers are doing the tournaments on a part time basis as well. To get sponsors means spending time to talk to potential sponsors and most organizers just don't have the time or don't be bothered...

So that's why our GM Eric and GM Anton and IM Aman spend most of their time abroad.....not an easy route and very commendable to me.

It doesn't make sense to select players based on the players playing more often in Canada as one of the criteria....No way...

We have to select the BEST players and who knows the next Olympiad Canada may create UPSET wins and be at the podium. Then hopefully there will be boom in Canada for Chess.

[Eric Gedajlovic]

Re: FIDE and CFC ratings for Olympiad-2018

From what I know, the primary way organizers around the world attract IMs and GMs is by offering them conditions that cover their expenses (and perhaps a bit more) and provide them the chance to more than break even by having a decent prize fund. This not only gets strong players to organizers' tournaments, but provides needed support for people who are trying to make a go at being a chess professional - something which is not the best paying job in the world.

Perhaps the right question organizers should be asking is how to support our nation's professional chess players, rather than how could they support us? Asking people who do not earn much to subsidize the efforts of people who organize tournaments and those that enjoy chess as a hobby is not really fair in my opinion.

[Eric Hansen]

Re: FIDE and CFC ratings for Olympiad-2018

It's a big challenge for Canada to put on the sophisticated tournaments that we find in Europe. Even the USCF lacks this level of play, tending more towards the mega 6-8 round events such as the World Open and Las Vegas. I just would like to see our GMs put in an appearance occasionally at the more modest Canadian events in order to promote the game among the rank and file. The Canadian Open, Montreal Open, Varennes and Grand Pacific Open to name a few although admittedly the latter involves significant travel.

In an ideal situation I'd love to play more in Canada. As it stands it doesn't make sense for me chess-wise or economically so I try to give back to the game in other ways.

[Eric Hansen]

Re: FIDE and CFC ratings for Olympiad-2018

It's a big challenge for Canada to put on the sophisticated tournaments that we find in Europe. Even the USCF lacks this level of play, tending more towards the mega 6-8 round events such as the World Open and Las Vegas. I just would like to see our GMs put in an appearance occasionally at the more modest Canadian events in order to promote the game among the rank and file. The Canadian Open, Montreal Open, Varennes and Grand Pacific Open to name a few although admittedly the latter involves significant travel.

First of all there are different ways to promote chess in Canada. However, suggesting that players should hurt their chess to be more eligible for Olympiad representation is ironic to me.

[Paul Leblanc]

Re: FIDE and CFC ratings for Olympiad-2018

It's a big challenge for Canada to put on the sophisticated tournaments that we find in Europe. Even the USCF lacks this level of play, tending more towards the mega 6-8 round events such as the World Open and Las Vegas. I just would like to see our GMs put in an appearance occasionally at the more modest Canadian events in order to promote the game among the rank and file. The Canadian Open, Montreal Open, Varennes and Grand Pacific Open to name a few although admittedly the latter involves significant travel.

[Aman Hambleton]

Re: FIDE and CFC ratings for Olympiad-2018

My point is that our strong players are not supporting Canadian tournaments with the exception of Bator. Should we care?

Interesting point, Paul.

Inversely, some (most) of these players are competing against much tougher competition outside of Canada. Imagine comparing FIDE rated games outside of Canada between the players on this list. I would argue that Bator's exceptional and certainly unparalleled experience in Canadian weekenders is less useful than those who compete against strong foreign IM's, GM's and future Olympiad opponents on a semi to regular basis.

And, as Victor mentioned, its embarrassing to bring up the fact that no strong player plays in Canada when Canada has not had a decent tournament to offer in quite some time.

[Victor Plotkin]

Re: FIDE and CFC ratings for Olympiad-2018

My point is that our strong players are not supporting Canadian tournaments with the exception of Bator. Should we care?

According to your calculation, Bator played more games last year (66) than all other top-10 players combined (63). Really amazing.

At the same time, I could not blame our strong players in this situation. I can mention many different reasons for this issue. For example,

1. Canadian Open was extremely weak, without any 2600+ player.

2. No Canadian Closed last year.

3. Quebec Open was just 8-round event (no norm opportunities, only 3 GMs - all from Quebec).

If we compare Canada with other countries, we can ask questions:

How many games played Aronian in Armenia in last 5 years? Topalov in Bulgaria? Anand in India?

[Paul Leblanc]

Re: FIDE and CFC ratings for Olympiad-2018

My point is that our strong players are not supporting Canadian tournaments with the exception of Bator. Should we care?

[Hugh Brodie]

Re: FIDE and CFC ratings for Olympiad-2018

Kovalyov...not Kovalyev.

[John Coleman]

Re: FIDE and CFC ratings for Olympiad-2018

Anton Kovalyev: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Kovalyov

Andy, it's great that you have an inquiring mind, but you've gotta learn how to look things up for yourself.

[Andy Shaw]

Re: FIDE and CFC ratings for Olympiad-2018

CFC games played in the past year:
Bareev 0
Kovalyev 0
Hansen 0
Sambuev 66 (bravo!)
Spraggett 0
Lesiege 16
Preotu 18
Noritsyn 11
Hambleton 0
Roussel-Roozman 18

Who is Kovalyev?

[Paul Leblanc]

Re: FIDE and CFC ratings for Olympiad-2018

CFC games played in the past year:
Bareev 0
Kovalyev 0
Hansen 0
Sambuev 66 (bravo!)
Spraggett 0
Lesiege 16
Preotu 18
Noritsyn 11
Hambleton 0
Roussel-Roozman 18

[Ken MacDonald]

Re: FIDE and CFC ratings for Olympiad-2018

According to our rules:

a. The National Team shall consist of 5 players, as follows:

1). The winner of the last Canadian Closed that took place 5-36 months prior to the Olympiad and that has not been used as a qualification for a previous Olympiad.
2). The 4 highest ranked players as determined by formula.
3). If no tournament described in a1 took place, then the 5 highest ranked players as determined by formula.

So no Canadian Closed = 5 players by rating.

So, Tomas would not qualify based on his Cdn. Ch. win regardless.