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The first FIDE Arbiters' Seminar training session ever organized in Canada was held in conjunction with the 2010 Canadian Open in Toronto last week. :)
Erik Malmsten of Toronto, longtime organizer and chess historian, was the key person behind this event. Erik conceived the idea, arranged for world-class instructors Stephen Boyd and Hal Bond to lead the course, generated interest, recruited students, collected tuition fees, booked the classroom, and produced the course materials. Erik also took the course as a student, one of 14 in the inaugural class. The course cost only $140 to take. This is because Stephen didn't take a fee, having had his airfare from France covered, but that was all. So, thanks to Stephen for his generosity to the students and to Canadian chess!! :)
The course consisted of about 20 hours of very intensive instruction over three days, followed by a four-hour exam on the afternoon of the third day. The concept of this seminar was a revolutionary one for Canadian chess. To my knowledge, nothing remotely close to this has ever been done in the history of Canadian chess. Erik also deserves sincere thanks, from not only the students in the course, but from the entire Canadian chess community, for his perseverence in making this happen. Several people had apparently told him beforehand that no one would sign up. That was certainly proven wrong!!! :)
I feel highly privileged to have been among the students taking this course. It was a very talented class, and the presentation format chosen by Stephen and Hal was optimal, in my view. Typically, the instructors would introduce a topic, start with some key concepts, relate an example or two, and then ask for feedback and questions from the class. The discussion was exceptionally full and lively; every one of the students contributed valuable knowledge and experience during the sessions, and everyone felt comfortable raising virtually any conceivable point. I cannot imagine how we could have received better quality instruction than what Stephen and Hal provided!!! We covered a great range of material, and I learned a lot, as did everyone in the class. The pace was brisk and intense; I hadn't ever before taken a course with this speed of required learning. :)
The exam was very challenging; there were over 30 questions, covering the full spectrum of chess decisions. I was writing at full speed from start to end, and just barely finished. And I had over 20 years of chess organization entering the course! Then we spent nearly an hour going over the answers! And now for the waiting: Hal posted on this site that the results will be available in about two weeks. :)
Let us hope that the CFC recognizes the value of this course, and arranges for similar opportunities for the future! :)
Erik Malmsten of Toronto, longtime organizer and chess historian, was the key person behind this event. Erik conceived the idea, arranged for world-class instructors Stephen Boyd and Hal Bond to lead the course, generated interest, recruited students, collected tuition fees, booked the classroom, and produced the course materials. Erik also took the course as a student, one of 14 in the inaugural class. The course cost only $140 to take. This is because Stephen didn't take a fee, having had his airfare from France covered, but that was all. So, thanks to Stephen for his generosity to the students and to Canadian chess!! :)
The course consisted of about 20 hours of very intensive instruction over three days, followed by a four-hour exam on the afternoon of the third day. The concept of this seminar was a revolutionary one for Canadian chess. To my knowledge, nothing remotely close to this has ever been done in the history of Canadian chess. Erik also deserves sincere thanks, from not only the students in the course, but from the entire Canadian chess community, for his perseverence in making this happen. Several people had apparently told him beforehand that no one would sign up. That was certainly proven wrong!!! :)
I feel highly privileged to have been among the students taking this course. It was a very talented class, and the presentation format chosen by Stephen and Hal was optimal, in my view. Typically, the instructors would introduce a topic, start with some key concepts, relate an example or two, and then ask for feedback and questions from the class. The discussion was exceptionally full and lively; every one of the students contributed valuable knowledge and experience during the sessions, and everyone felt comfortable raising virtually any conceivable point. I cannot imagine how we could have received better quality instruction than what Stephen and Hal provided!!! We covered a great range of material, and I learned a lot, as did everyone in the class. The pace was brisk and intense; I hadn't ever before taken a course with this speed of required learning. :)
The exam was very challenging; there were over 30 questions, covering the full spectrum of chess decisions. I was writing at full speed from start to end, and just barely finished. And I had over 20 years of chess organization entering the course! Then we spent nearly an hour going over the answers! And now for the waiting: Hal posted on this site that the results will be available in about two weeks. :)
Let us hope that the CFC recognizes the value of this course, and arranges for similar opportunities for the future! :)
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