FIDE Grand Prix (London 2012)

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Roger de Coverly
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Re: FIDE Grand Prix (London 2012)

Post by Roger de Coverly » Fri Oct 05, 2012 1:11 pm

Kevin Thurlow wrote:This event doesn't exactly seem to have captured the imagination of the chess-playing public.
One measure of this is that there was little or no discussion on this forum about the games in progress.

Does not having an official commentary, with or without audience participation contribute to this?

Roger de Coverly
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Re: FIDE Grand Prix (London 2012)

Post by Roger de Coverly » Fri Oct 05, 2012 1:23 pm

Matt Mackenzie wrote: Perhaps not unconnected with it being so spectator-unfriendly??
I thought the idea of a fixed camera covering every game was a good one, particularly with a plain background and a screen to hide debris like bottles or cups. The problem with watching that coverage was that they didn't embed a board diagram so you could actually see the whole position. Also whilst you could see the clock, reflections from the lighting meant you couldn't read the times. Without the board position, a live or computer commentary, it was just two people sitting either side of a chess board and an on-line spectator with just that coverage would have no real idea of what they might be thinking about.

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John Upham
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Re: FIDE Grand Prix (London 2012)

Post by John Upham » Fri Oct 05, 2012 2:03 pm

The London event was very much a trial (I was told) of what needs to be in place for future AGON events. I met many of the various persons contributing to the undoubted success of this event and they are all very motivated successful people who know what they want to run a great event: very impressive. Not having to manage and provide for spectators left the organisers free to get everything else right.

This round was never intended to be in London and finding great character venues at short notice is very challenging. The various venues considered for the March event are of high quality and much in demand. The one to be used will be memorable and will provided a great atmosphere for players and spectators alike.

The bulk of the officials were imported apart from the FIDE arbiter (Stewart Reuben). Technical support for live games came from David Clayton plus others.

It was refreshing to see so many specialist chess photographers covering the event daily including Fred Lucas and Ray Morris-Hill apart from the usual staff photographers.
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Leonard Barden
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Re: FIDE Grand Prix (London 2012)

Post by Leonard Barden » Fri Oct 05, 2012 5:35 pm

Roger de Coverly wrote:
Matt Mackenzie wrote: Perhaps not unconnected with it being so spectator-unfriendly??
I thought the idea of a fixed camera covering every game was a good one, particularly with a plain background and a screen to hide debris like bottles or cups. The problem with watching that coverage was that they didn't embed a board diagram so you could actually see the whole position. Also whilst you could see the clock, reflections from the lighting meant you couldn't read the times. Without the board position, a live or computer commentary, it was just two people sitting either side of a chess board and an on-line spectator with just that coverage would have no real idea of what they might be thinking about.
I think Roger and Matt are right and John Upham's reply does not take up the point that Andrew Paulson repeatedly claimed in interviews before the event that it would set new standards in interactive presentation. I made this point in my Guardian articles both before and during the event.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/ju ... ew-paulson
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/se ... grand-prix
Since there were no spectators, it should have been a chance to hone the online and video technology to the highest standards. In the event, there was no human or computer commentary, and no clock times nor current position on the live video. I feel the Moscow world championship, the Bundesliga, the Tal Memorial and Tata Steel Wijk all do these things much better and I was particularly disappointed at the absence of an online move- by-move computer evalutation which is something major events and sites now take for granted.
As I wrote in my second Guardian article, the online spectator numbers appeared to be a fraction of those at the top continental events. Judging by the low number of spectator comments on the online panels, far more people watched on chessbomb where you have to register to record your live comments but is otherwise free and has clear move-by-move computer coverage.
Again I repeat it is Andrew Paulson himself who claimed that Agon would set new high interactive standards, and I can only conclude that he failed. I just hope the Candidates will take all these lessons on board. It might be better if there were fewer marketing and more chess people involved in these decisions.

IanDavis
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Re: FIDE Grand Prix (London 2012)

Post by IanDavis » Fri Oct 05, 2012 9:46 pm

The sponsor page is blank, very respectful

Simon Ansell
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Re: FIDE Grand Prix (London 2012)

Post by Simon Ansell » Sat Oct 06, 2012 12:55 am

I agree with Leonard.

I was able to visit the tournament a couple of times, because Maria was reporting on the event for chess-news.ru.

The first time, while I was waiting downstairs at Simpson's to be granted entry, a couple (who I didn't recognise) turned up and asked the bouncer if they could watch the chess. They were quickly (and abruptly) refused. They weren't particularly impressed, and I doubt they'll be back any time soon to try and watch a chess tournament.

If Paulson's plans outlined in his interviews are to believed, there is a long way to go and he should start with the basics. I know this tournament was not originally supposed to be held in London and finding a venue at short notice is not easy, but how hard and how much does it cost to at least set up a decent website and commentators?

Leonard Barden
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Re: FIDE Grand Prix (London 2012)

Post by Leonard Barden » Sat Oct 06, 2012 12:04 pm

IanDavis wrote:The sponsor page is blank, very respectful
It's actually a sign that something else besides the internet coverage did not go according to plan. It was stated in many pre-tournament Agon press releases that

Mr Paulson is looking for six brand partners to “professionalise and enliven” the sport.

and he told my Guardian colleague Stephen Moss in an interview published on 12 July, three months ago, that (my bold)

he will shortly be unveiling long-term sponsorship deals with half a dozen companies in different sectors.

Another persistent claim was that

Mr Paulson is also negotiating with global cable television channels for highlights coverage on living room television sets.

No sign of that, either.

Kevin Thurlow
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Re: FIDE Grand Prix (London 2012)

Post by Kevin Thurlow » Sat Oct 06, 2012 2:32 pm

"Perhaps not unconnected with it being so spectator-unfriendly??"

Er, I know, but I got told off when I previously described it as a secret chess tournament, so I was being subtle.

Jonathan Rogers
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Re: FIDE Grand Prix (London 2012)

Post by Jonathan Rogers » Sat Oct 06, 2012 2:43 pm

Paul Cooksey wrote:I am a bit more optimistic than Leonard and Simon. The innovations promised were simply absent, so I am reserving judgement.
:? :lol:

Graham Borrowdale

Re: FIDE Grand Prix (London 2012)

Post by Graham Borrowdale » Sat Oct 06, 2012 7:27 pm

I completely agree with Leonard Barden and others. To paraphrase, this chess tournament was not a rehearsal, it was part of a very serious Grand Prix. Even if the rest of the Grand Prix is fantastic, this leg will still probably be viewed as a (relative) failure.

There were some good games, though!