Saturday Blitz results

**Dave Southam** · Sunday, 23rd May, 2010, 09:58 PM

Re: Saturday Blitz results

I predict 10 players will show up for next Saturday's blitz!

**Vlad Dobrich** · Thursday, 27th May, 2010, 01:40 PM

Re: Saturday Blitz results

Post predictions here.

**Jean Hébert** · Thursday, 27th May, 2010, 02:58 PM

Re: Saturday Blitz results

Originally posted by Vlad Dobrich View Post

Post predictions here.

Vlad,
I admire your coolness: down to 4 players and still caring for predictions... Isn't it time rather to rethink the whole thing before it's "strike three, you're out!!" ? Inevitably a player's fear of being the only one showing up one particular evening must be creeping in on a few people...

**Vlad Dobrich** · Thursday, 27th May, 2010, 03:31 PM

Re: Saturday Blitz results

Thank you for your 'concern'. I did not expect much of a turnout due to the competing Ontario Open across town. As for calling it quits, let me say this:
I started the Saturday blitz at the YMCA Chess Club in 1963 and it has been running ever since! I do feel a certain proprietory interest here. It is hard to compete against internet blitz, but we still draw a solid hard core of enthusiasts. If it does die out, however, I feel it will be appropriate for one of the hard core supporters to write the obituary. But the time is not yet:)

Surely, there must be some chess tournament somewhere that you can support!

**Artiom Samsonkin** · Thursday, 27th May, 2010, 03:36 PM

Re: Saturday Blitz results

I predict 12!

**Jean Hébert** · Thursday, 27th May, 2010, 04:33 PM

Re: Saturday Blitz results

Originally posted by Vlad Dobrich View Post

Thank you for your 'concern'. I did not expect much of a turnout due to the competing Ontario Open across town. As for calling it quits, let me say this:
I started the Saturday blitz at the YMCA Chess Club in 1963 and it has been running ever since! I do feel a certain proprietory interest here. It is hard to compete against internet blitz, but we still draw a solid hard core of enthusiasts. If it does die out, however, I feel it will be appropriate for one of the hard core supporters to write the obituary. But the time is not yet:)

Surely, there must be some chess tournament somewhere that you can support!

No need to put quotes around "concern". I am concerned when I see tournaments anywhere down to 4 players, or even 8 or 10 on "favorable" evenings. For a city the size of Toronto it is hardly impressive. I am simply pointing out what seems obvious to me: without some minor or major improvements in the formula, it is slowly but surely going to die out, just as most blitz events have died out in Montreal.

Regarding the rather undeserved last comment, I do support many events in many ways, notably by being a fairly active player, and that for a number of years much greater than most. For players, the best way of showing support for tournaments is to play in them. If they don't, no talk, no praise, no encouragement, no "recognition" is going to do much good.

**Hugh Brodie** · Thursday, 27th May, 2010, 06:56 PM

Re: Saturday Blitz results

Blitz tournaments in Montreal have just about died out not due to lack of players - but due to lack of organizers. Larry has offered free (or close to it) space to run blitz tournaments (probably on Friday nights) - but no one wants to run them since there is no money in it. When I was running them for many years (no more!) - rarely did I make more than $5 or $10 per tournament (if anything at all).

**Vlad Dobrich** · Thursday, 27th May, 2010, 07:25 PM

Re: Saturday Blitz results

Hi,
Have you tried asking Jean Hebery to join your blitz? I understand he supports many worthwhile tournaments. A player of his stature would, no doubt, attract many other top players. But then I supose the prix is not high enough for him. Try increasing the entry fee, perhaps.

**Vlad Dobrich** · Thursday, 27th May, 2010, 07:26 PM

Re: Saturday Blitz results

Hi,
Have you tried asking Jean Hebert to join your blitz? I understand he supports many worthwhile tournaments. A player of his stature would, no doubt, attract many other top players. But then I supose the prix is not high enough for him. Try increasing the entry fee, perhaps.

**Jean Hébert** · Thursday, 27th May, 2010, 08:59 PM

Re: Saturday Blitz results

Originally posted by Vlad Dobrich View Post

Hi,
Have you tried asking Jean Hebert to join your blitz? I understand he supports many worthwhile tournaments. A player of his stature would, no doubt, attract many other top players. But then I supose the prix is not high enough for him. Try increasing the entry fee, perhaps.

Your sarcastic reaction is pretty disappointing. I doubt that it will help you draw more people if its what you'd like to do.
I have played blitz for decades in Hugh's tournaments and others. Now like most players I sometimes play on the internet (for no money at all) but against players of my strenght and stronger which is more satisfying.
Times change. Adjourments are gone (much older than 1963...), time controls are getting faster and faster, postal chess as we knew it is almost gone, etc. Chess people should be open-minded enough to use their imagination and adapt to change.

**Paul Bonham** · Thursday, 27th May, 2010, 09:59 PM

Re: Saturday Blitz results

Originally posted by Jean Hébert View Post

I have played blitz for decades in Hugh's tournaments and others. Now like most players I sometimes play on the internet.....

This is from the same person who just wrote in a previous post:

"For players, the best way of showing support for tournaments is to play in them."

Sorry, everyone, I'm the only one who sees the problem here. The rest of you don't see a problem. Move along, nothing to see here.

**Paul Bonham** · Thursday, 27th May, 2010, 10:06 PM

Re: Saturday Blitz results

Originally posted by Hugh Brodie View Post

Blitz tournaments in Montreal have just about died out not due to lack of players - but due to lack of organizers.

Jean Hebert (oh, no, there's that name again, I just can't help myself!!!!) just posted recently that "chess organizers are not an endangered species". Maybe you should have a little chat with him, Hugh?

Maybe he'll say he wasn't referring to blitz events. But if blitz events can die out due to lack of organizers, who's to say regular events aren't next?

Oh, of course, Hebert will say that. And the frozen minds who read his posts and ignore mine will nod their collective heads in agreement.

**Peter McKillop** · Thursday, 27th May, 2010, 10:29 PM

Re: Saturday Blitz results

Saturday, May 15, 2010
Very funny!
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS

I had a great laugh when I saw these videos! Sort of reminds me of the provocative, frustrating and utterly useless exchanges between Canadian Champion Jean Hebert and wanna-be putz Paul Bonham! Jean always tries to be rational and logical, while Paul behaves like the annoying orange in these videos. Enjoy!

Looks like more and more people are catching on to you, Paul.

**Paul Bonham** · Thursday, 27th May, 2010, 10:38 PM

Re: Saturday Blitz results

Originally posted by Peter McKillop View Post

Looks like more and more people are catching on to you, Paul.

Haven't seen it, but based on the commentary, my ongoing thesis is being confirmed: taking chess seriously has the effect of blinding one to correct logic and rational thinking in the real world.

I'm a wanna-be putz? I never knew! :D

Saturday Blitz results

Saturday Blitz results

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