Ontario Open 2011

[Bob Gillanders]

2011 ONTARIO OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

WHEN: May 21st to May 23 2011.

WHERE: Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School ( NEW LOCATION )
1715 Main Street East, Hamilton, Ontario

ENTRY FEE: $60 with cheque received by mail by May 1st.
$70 if cheque received by mail after May 1st and by May 20th.
Otherwise $80 at the door. Cash only at the door.
ALLOW AT LEAST ONE WEEK IF MAILING A CHEQUE
Special discount to FMs, IMs, and GMs if contacted before March 5th 2011.

SECTIONS: Open, Under 2000 and Under 1600.

PRIZES: $5,000 total prize fund (based on 125 entries)

TIME CONTROL: 90min with 30sec increment.

ROUNDS: Rounds are at 10 a.m. and 4p.m. each day.

REGISTRATION: Opens at the site at 9a.m. Closes at 9:45a.m.
CFC membership required. No last round byes.
Bring your own sets and clocks.

ORGANIZERS: Joe Ellis, Mike Egorov of the Hamilton City Chess Club (HCCC), Bob Gillanders and Gordon Gooding of the HCCC and the Milton Junior Chess School

CONTACT: miltonchess@hotmail.com and mail entry cheques
(with contact info please) to:
Gordon Gooding
1101 McClenahan Crescent
Milton, ON, L9T 6P1


Pre Registered List - 55 players

Open Section - 18 players

GM Bator Sambuev 2753
IM Nikolay Noritsyn 2584
IM Roman Sapzhnikov 2451
Ray Kaufman 2367(USCF)
FM Doug Bailey 2318
FM Michael Dougherty 2312
Hans Jung 2289
Michael Kleinman 2284
Josh Guo 2272
Kevin Gibson 2220
Vlad Drkulec 2170
Brian Fiedler 2129
Steve Demmery 2124
Zhiyuan Zhang 2101
Laurentiu Grigorescu, 2091
Matt Thomson 2063
Adam Cormier 2033
Peter Arseneau 2022

Under 2000 Section - 19 players

Joseph Bellissimo 1984
Raymond Singh 1973
Ross Richardson 1972
Stuart Brammall 1970
Rob Gashgarian 1955
Yuan Chen Zhang 1925
Ian Finlay 1905
Walter De Jong 1808
Mathew Cooke 1792
Daniel Coren 1784
John Erickson 1761
Jamie Solis 1750
Kevin Wan 1731
Patrick Yu 1721
Lee Hendon 1698
Qiyu Zhou 1673
Nathan Farrant-Diaz 1634
Ralf Meyer 1630
Bryant Yang 1613

Under 1600 Section - 18 players

Tyler Ensor 1597
Ivan Kudelka 1595
John Brown 1591
Rebecca Giblon* 1580
Sergey Noritsyn 1574
Owen Qian 1549
Henry Grayson 1545
Yue Tong Zhao 1521
William Mollison 1482
Richard Chen 1465
Jiaxin Liu 1446
Andrew Giblon * 1422
Billy Carroll 1357
Melissa Giblon* 1348
Chris Osborne 1201
Eric Wang 1198
Monica Wood 1154
Ryan Gonsalves unr

* tentative

Note: Ratings will be updated on Wednesday.
Open section >2000 only.


Driving instructions (new location)

Link to google map

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&sourc...4,0.01929&z=16

Directions (remember, this is a new location for Hamilton tourneys)

If coming from Toronto or Niagara Falls take Red Hill Creek Expressway and get off at Queenston Rd(you are not crossing over the Red Hill Creek Expressway) exit and follow map.

If coming from Brantford, take Lincoln Alexander Parkway and follow until you get to the RED Hill Creek Expressway and take the Queenston Rd. exit. Go left (going over the Red Hill Creek Expressway) and follow map.

[Robert Song]

Re: Ontario Open 2011

2011 ONTARIO OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

WHEN: May 21st to May 23 2011.

WHERE: Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School
1715 Main Street East, Hamilton, Ontario

ENTRY FEE: $60 with cheque received by mail by May 1st.
$70 if cheque received by mail after May 1st and by May 20th.
Otherwise $80 at the door. Cash only at the door.
ALLOW AT LEAST ONE WEEK IF MAILING A CHEQUE
Special discount to FMs, IMs, and GMs if contacted before March 5th 2011.

SECTIONS: Open, Under 2000 and Under 1600.

PRIZES: $5,000 total prize fund (based on 125 entries)

TIME CONTROL: 90min with 30sec increment.

ROUNDS: Rounds are at 10 a.m. and 4p.m. each day.

REGISTRATION: Opens at the site at 9a.m. Closes at 9:45a.m.
CFC membership required. No last round byes.
Bring your own sets and clocks.

ORGANIZERS: Joe Ellis, Mike Egorov of the Hamilton City Chess Club (HCCC), Bob Gillanders and Gordon Gooding of the HCCC and the Milton Junior Chess School

CONTACT: miltonchess@hotmail.com and mail entry cheques
(with contact info please) to:
Gordon Gooding
1101 McClenahan Crescent
Milton, ON, L9T 6P1

The schedule is conflicting with the National Chess Challenger 2011 which will be host on May 22-23 in Victoria, BC. However you may not care about this.
http://chess-math.org/pdf/toronto_calendar.pdf

[Alex Ferreira]

Re: Ontario Open 2011

Hi Robert,

The Ontario Open has always been on this weekend, as far as I can remember.
It's also impossible to take into account for an event that's happening several thousand kilometres away, unless it'd be the Canadian Open.

Alex Ferreira

[Mark S. Dutton]

Victoria Day weekend is the busiest chess time in Canada! Re: Ontario Open 2011

Hi Robert,

The Ontario Open has always been on this weekend, as far as I can remember.
It's also impossible to take into account for an event that's happening several thousand kilometres away, unless it'd be the Canadian Open.

Alex Ferreira

The Victoria Day (long holiday weekend) has been the traditional date for Chessn' Math Association's Annual CANADIAN CHESS CHALLENGE.

Also running on this weekend is the Ontario Open at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School in Hamilton, and the 36th Annual Keres Memorial at Capilano Room, River Rock Casino Resort, Vancouver, BC and on the same weekend the Calgary International has been held in Calgary, Alberta.

Obviously this is a great weekend for chess events across the country! Best wishes to all involved in these great events! :)

[Rene Preotu]

Re: Ontario Open 2011

Also the Annual Canadian Chess Challenge is a Chess & Math not a CFC tournament. Only 12 players (one for each grade) from Ontario will qualify so it really doesn't make sense to change the date of the Ontario Open.

Rene Preotu

[Larry Bevand]

Re: Ontario Open 2011

Also the Annual Canadian Chess Challenge is a Chess & Math not a CFC tournament. Only 12 players (one for each grade) from Ontario will qualify so it really doesn't make sense to change the date of the Ontario Open.

Rene Preotu

Hi Rene,

I have no problem with the "Ontario Open" happening on the same weekend. Most youngsters and their parents understand that if their youngster qualifies to the "Canadian Chess Challenge" Finals, then that is the best choice! The same should be true for the Keres...but I won't go there :).

We have however asked our friends in Calgary to change their dates for the "Calgary International" as this excellent event requires the top youngsters in the west to make a difficult choice....and I totally understand those who choose the Calgary event.

Hopefully new dates can be used for the Calgary event so that the western provinces at the "Canadian Chess Challenge" can field their strongest teams.

Larry

[Jean Hébert]

Re: Ontario Open 2011

Special discount to FMs, IMs, and GMs if contacted before March 5th 2011.

If I read this correctly (and I am afraid there is no other way to read it) GMs and titled players will have to beg and commit six weeks in advance to get, not appearance fees, not free accommodation, not even free meals or free entry, but a measly undisclosed discount on entry fees! And for what ? For an unguaranteed prize fund which like most unguaranteed prize funds runs a high risk of being reduced, with the most consequences affecting those titled players who have committed six weeks in advance. This is a disgrace for Canadian chess, an insult to titled players, especially for the very few GMs that we have in this country, and an excellent example of poor leadership from the CFC president.

[Josh Guo]

Re: Ontario Open 2011

If I read this correctly (and I am afraid there is no other way to read it) GMs and titled players will have to beg and commit six weeks in advance to get, not appearance fees, not free accommodation, not even free meals or free entry, but a measly undisclosed discount on entry fees! And for what ? For an unguaranteed prize fund which like most unguaranteed prize funds runs a high risk of being reduced, with the most consequences affecting those titled players who have committed six weeks in advance. This is a disgrace for Canadian chess, an insult to titled players, especially for the very few GMs that we have in this country, and an excellent example of poor leadership from the CFC president.

Just shut up.

[Adam Cormier]

Re: Ontario Open 2011

If I read this correctly (and I am afraid there is no other way to read it) GMs and titled players will have to beg and commit six weeks in advance to get, not appearance fees, not free accommodation, not even free meals or free entry, but a measly undisclosed discount on entry fees! And for what ? For an unguaranteed prize fund which like most unguaranteed prize funds runs a high risk of being reduced, with the most consequences affecting those titled players who have committed six weeks in advance. This is a disgrace for Canadian chess, an insult to titled players, especially for the very few GMs that we have in this country, and an excellent example of poor leadership from the CFC president.

Don't like how Gillanders and crew are running the tournament don't go, wow that was hard. I'm certain you wouldn't be missed.

[John Brown]

Re: Ontario Open 2011

Hi Jean;

I think the Ontario Chess Association used to kick in $500 extra First Prize so that can be your guaranteed prize fund. Hamilton usually gets 70 players or more to their events so that makes another $4200 most likely for sure. Being the Ontario Open they will get more .

Now if A well known player Like Jean Hebert was to commit early we might even see the 125 players come out. I'm staying at a Friend's house and I'm sure if you were left high and Dry the CFC President could even let you stay at his place. You know people really do appreciate your accomplishments.

The problem we all have is if the titled players want the money then commit early so we can get more participants to help the titled players get a better cut of the cash.
Hey if 5 IM's and 2 GM's showed commitment early do you think zero people would want to see their games? I think not.

We respect your positions in the Chess Community but at least give us a chance to field you some more cash. Committing early let's others know that you care about the event. If you want to get the cash help bring up the numbers by joining early.

[Gordon Gooding]

Re: Ontario Open 2011

Hello all,

I am one of the members of the organizing committee for the Ontario Open Tournament. All of the organizing members of this tournament have been responsible with the help of others from the Hamilton City Chess Club for organizing and running the two tournaments in Hamilton each year for the past few years or so successfully. We have had, as Mr. Brown noted, attendance numbers of 70 or so at each of these events. I may not be qualified or as experienced as more seasoned veteran organizers ( I have run tourneys occasionally from about 6 yrs ago, mostly now with the Hamilton City Chess Club) but I love the game of chess and hence am gratefully utilizing the experience and energy of the committee (Gillanders, Ellis, and Egorov) and other members of the Hamilton City Chess Club. We noticed nobody was interested in running the ON Open this year. That would be a shame with no Ontario Open. Please forgive me for the lack of sponsorships, free accomodations, etc,. The Hamilton tournaments have had players in the past with the likes of players like Shapoznikov, FMs Jung, Dougherty, Bailey, Ochkoos and IM Samsonkin and WIM Yuanling Yuan(last tourney winner, please forgive me if I got the spelling wrong). I hope they didnt think too badly of it. I consider it an honour and privilege to have some of these wonderful chess professionals frequently grace the Hamilton tournament scene. I guess they liked what they saw and wanted more of it. We plan to reproduce that and more for the ON Open.

Yours repectfully,

Gordon Gooding

[Kerry Liles]

Re: Ontario Open 2011

If I read this correctly (and I am afraid there is no other way to read it) GMs and titled players will have to beg and commit six weeks in advance to get, not appearance fees, not free accommodation, not even free meals or free entry, but a measly undisclosed discount on entry fees! And for what ? For an unguaranteed prize fund which like most unguaranteed prize funds runs a high risk of being reduced, with the most consequences affecting those titled players who have committed six weeks in advance. This is a disgrace for Canadian chess, an insult to titled players, especially for the very few GMs that we have in this country, and an excellent example of poor leadership from the CFC president.

This seems a tad harsh n'est-ce pas? (although no one should be too surprised at your views on these matters if they have been paying attention). I rather like John Brown's reply down the thread a bit, but to elaborate: I suspect that if you were to actually inquire about things like 'appearance fee', 'accommodation relief', 'meal vouchers or gift card', or even what the organizers *think* the prize structure will be... I believe you might get a reasonable response and perhaps the organizers would entertain some requests...

I also do not think that this is sponsored by the President of the CFC, but more like Bob G. has decided to help out the organizers along with the zillion other things he is doing (with apparently a similar approval rating as Obama...)

I say "double his pay, right now!"

[Bob Gillanders]

Re: Ontario Open 2011

If I read this correctly (and I am afraid there is no other way to read it) GMs and titled players will have to beg and commit six weeks in advance to get, not appearance fees, not free accommodation, not even free meals or free entry, but a measly undisclosed discount on entry fees! And for what ? For an unguaranteed prize fund which like most unguaranteed prize funds runs a high risk of being reduced, with the most consequences affecting those titled players who have committed six weeks in advance. This is a disgrace for Canadian chess, an insult to titled players, especially for the very few GMs that we have in this country, and an excellent example of poor leadership from the CFC president.

oh my goodness, really Jean?

No soup for you!

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Ontario Open 2011

All of the organizing members of this tournament have been responsible with the help of others from the Hamilton City Chess Club for organizing and running the two tournaments in Hamilton each year for the past few years or so successfully. We have had, as Mr. Brown noted, attendance numbers of 70 or so at each of these events.

If you normally get an attendance of 70, why is the prize fund projection based on 125?

What will the prize fund be if the paid entry is only 70?

[Bob Gillanders]

Re: Ontario Open 2011

If you normally get an attendance of 70, why is the prize fund projection based on 125?

What will the prize fund be if the paid entry is only 70?

Obviously the prize fund would be much less with only 70 players. But then this is not one of our regular semi annual events, this is the Ontario Open.

Last year in Toronto, 126 players with $ 4,500 prize fund. So I think our projections are realistic. :)