Saturday Blitz update

**Dave Southam** · Tuesday, 7th December, 2010, 09:08 PM

Re: Saturday Blitz update

Hi Vlad,

Doug Bailey predicts 10 people for next Saturday's blitz tourney.

**Dave Southam** · Tuesday, 7th December, 2010, 09:12 PM

Re: Saturday Blitz update

Hello again Vlad,

Myself, I predict 8 people for next Saturday's blitz. See you there.

**Vlad Dobrich** · Saturday, 11th December, 2010, 10:42 AM

Re: Saturday Blitz update

We continue to attempt augmenting the participation with the $50 added feature. So far no effect. I guess chess players don't like money!
Two months ago, we tried the 3 points per win, 1 point per draw system and got a neutral response, in fact negative, if we take into account one Montreal player's critique who is unlikely to ever play in this event. And now we see the 3/1 system in use in the London Classic!
I would even try the CFC Champion's 3 min + 2 sec increment system but our blitz clocks do not have the increment feature.
So come and play you lazy locals! If Doug Bailey can make it out all the way from Hamilton, surely you can too!

**Josh Guo** · Saturday, 11th December, 2010, 11:08 AM

Re: Saturday Blitz update

Hey Vlad,

For me the reason for not coming out eventhough i live downtown is because the cost of entry. The most I would pay for a sat afternoon blitz tourny is $10 not $27. So with 10 players ($100) first get $50, second get $20, and you keep $30. For $27 I can take my gf out to a movie ($13.5 on tues) twice.

The Con is some strong players might not come out because of prize (but right now you're only getting 4-6 players anyways). The Pro is the people who don't want to pay $27 for a blitz tourny on sat now have an option, which I think would be quite a few of them.

Thanks,

**Vlad Dobrich** · Saturday, 11th December, 2010, 11:28 AM

Re: Saturday Blitz update

Hi Josh,
We tried the $10 entry idea 8 - 10 years ago and attendance dropped off right away as the stronger masters stayed away and the others were not in it for the prize money. So we went to $20 and got a good response. Now the entry fee is $30 with the prize fund totalling $20 per player + $50 added.
Your math also overlooks some expenses. The tables and warm environment are not provided free of charge - someone pays rent! So I have to pay $2 per player to the owner. Also, I recently bought six digital chess clocks and batteries for $300. Perhaps you can explain to me why chess players always expect everything for FREE.
So, now with 10 players the prize fund is $250 - you do the math.

**Josh Guo** · Saturday, 11th December, 2010, 12:00 PM

Re: Saturday Blitz update

Well, last week attendance was 6 players, so not much more to drop. I (2200 CFC) personally don't care that much for prize. But I like to hear other's people's opinion.

For example, for $60 (a little bit more than twice of $27) I can play in Hal's 5-round 2-day CFC/FIDE rated tourny in guelph. Plus he provides free coffee, and snacks. Or for $70, I can play a CFC rated game every thur. night in scarb chess club for 6 months.

I don't think chess players expect anything for free, at least I dont. But just like consumers, we compare. If I can play in Hal's tourny, or scarb chess club where Bob always greets you and sends out newsletters, or friday night blitz at strategy games (which I believe the entry is $10 and it seems like a nice place), why should I spend $27 to go to Mom's cafe?

Yes the owners and the other players all seem really nice, but the last time and only time I was there was a hot summer day, the AC was either broken or not turned on, eventhough I did win a little money finishing 3rd place, i decided not to go back again.

Anyways, I'm just making a suggestion, it is your tournament. Good luck with it in the future!

**Jean Hébert** · Saturday, 11th December, 2010, 05:28 PM

Re : Re: Saturday Blitz update

Originally posted by Josh Guo View Post

For me the reason for not coming out eventhough i live downtown is because the cost of entry...

I suspect that you are not the only one. I would not come down either even if I lived next door to the place for that kind of entry fee. Only a few people play blitz for money (the top players) and they wont come if they have to pay 30$ to play. That kind of entry fee defeats their purpose unless they are pretty sure to win. The other players play for fun, but for 30$/each, they better invite home a couple of friends and do it in the basement for much cheaper with snacks and drinks. And of course there is the internet.
Can't raise prices when demand is going down.
But Vlad has it all figured out and he must be right because he has tried everything (3-1

) without success.
I predict a two-player match in 2011.

Saturday Blitz update

Saturday Blitz update

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