Top Section at Ottawa EOCA weekenders

[Aris Marghetis]

Hi there, this post is intended especially for players rated over 2000, and other TDs. Feel free to reply either here, or directly by email to me: arismarghetis at rogers dot com

First, here is the current structure of the Top Section at Ottawa EOCA weekenders:
- reserved for players rated 2000 and up
- prizes include 1st, 2nd, 3rd + 2 class prizes (U2400 and U2200)
- this section is rated both CFC and FIDE
- we usually get 3-5 players rated over 2400

Now, here are some observations that might point to changes:
- most of the time, 1st and 2nd place are decided relatively clearly
for example, someone wins 1st, someone else wins 2nd, or
2 players tie for 1st and 2nd, thus sharing those 2 prizes
- then, the following curious trend has developed:
many U2400 players tie for both 3rd place and the U2400 class prize

And here is what we are considering for restructuring the Top Section:
- break the U2200 group off into a separate section, like U2000, etc.
(we had 12 players in that range last weekend, so this seems safe)
- the remaining players rated over 2200 would be the new Top Section
(Swiss pairings might be a little tough if we have less than 12 players)
(on the other hand, the quality of the games would be just awesome)
- eliminate the U2400 class prize, and add it to the 1st-2nd-3rd prizes
(if many players over 2400, potentially add a decent 4th place prize)
- the idea is that these changes will result in better games of chess,
and more aggression by U2400 players striving for at least 3rd place

I hope that I have done a decent job explaining this. If we do make these changes, it would be for the RA Fall Open in September, which we would announce in July or August.

Thanks again, and best regards, Aris.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Re: Top Section at Ottawa EOCA weekenders

- the remaining players rated over 2200 would be the new Top Section
(Swiss pairings might be a little tough if we have less than 12 players)

You may hear negative gripes that a small number of players would fight for the largest portion of a event's prize fund.

[I don't care as I'm still O2200 and had a draw with Bator S. :D

[Aris Marghetis]

Re: Top Section at Ottawa EOCA weekenders

You may hear negative gripes that a small number of players would fight for the largest portion of a event's prize fund.

[I don't care as I'm still O2200 and had a draw with Bator S. :D

hmmm, but there would be more Top prize money than before, and I could flatten it a bit to make it quite attractive for U2400 players to strive to finish in the top 3 without ties

[Kevin Pacey]

Re: Top Section at Ottawa EOCA weekenders

Why not try keeping the top section for 2000+ players, but drop the U2400 and U2200 class prizes and have place prizes for first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth (or alternatively, just five place prizes)?

I don't know if there are many weekend swisses in Canada that can boast more than 3 place prizes in the top section at the moment. You might attract more 2400+ players with 6 place prizes. Making U2200 a seperate section could be risky in case there is a low turnout in the 2000-2199 player or 2200+ player range(s).

I could be seen as biased at the moment, since I am recently rated 2400 bang on, but I could easily dip back under 2400 by the time of the RA Fall Open.

[Alex Ferreira]

Re: Top Section at Ottawa EOCA weekenders

Alternatively, to increase competition and put forth better prizes, you could split it into 2 sections (playing sections or prize sections, or both) above 2000 instead of 3, with 2300 as the dividing line. Although I enjoyed this past tournament and saw no real problem with it.

Alex F.

[Aris Marghetis]

Re: Top Section at Ottawa EOCA weekenders

Thanks guys, and any more income is welcome. I'll decide by the beginning of August.

[Jean Hébert]

Re: Top Section at Ottawa EOCA weekenders

You may hear negative gripes that a small number of players would fight for the largest portion of a event's prize fund.

Nothing wrong with "having a small number of players fight for the largest portion of an event's prize fund". In any case in an open event, everyone has a shot at all the prizes. It is just that the better players have a better shot at it. No cause for gripes or sour grapes.