Hertfordshire Congress, 7th - 8th November 2015

[Michael Flatt]

The Hertfordshire ECF-graded 5-round Weekend Swiss is fast approaching.

Tournaments: Open, U170, U140 & U110.

It will again be held at County Hall, Hertford, which is within walking distance of Hertford Town Centre.
There is abundant free parking on the County Hall site.

This year we will be using Fischer timings for the first time.
a. Normal move rate: 75 minutes for all moves + 20secs/move from start.
b. Repaired games: 60 minutes for all moves + 20secs/move from start.

Enjoy a cooked breakfast before round 1 & a cooked lunch between rounds.
A vegetarian option will be available.

Full details and Online Entry is available on the Congress Website: http://www.hertschesscongress.com

[Roger de Coverly]

Full details and Online Entry is available on the Congress Website:

Would it be possible to attach a date to the "Entries so far" list?

http://www.hertschesscongress.com/index ... -s-playing

[Michael Flatt]

I've added the dates of the Congress to the 'Who's Playing' page to make it obvious that the list applies to this year's Congress.

The list of entrants automatically updates when an Online Entry is recorded via Paypal so it is fully up-to-date.
Postal Entries are usually added within a day of receiving them.

Some players, particularly in the Open, are tending to register later and later. In previous years it did cause us to worry whether there will be sufficient players to run the tournament but we are getting used to coping with the late rush. Organisers need an iron nerve.

We also try to act on any suggestions we receive from players to make the Congress as enjoyable as possible and it is heartening to see many familiar faces year after year. This year the prize fund has been increased to £2000.

We are flexible about the registering of half point byes (rounds 1-4), providing we have sufficient notice to include them in the pairings for each round.

Brendan O'Gorman's photo gallery from 2014 can be viewed at: https://plus.google.com/photos/10505964 ... pwa&sort=1

Who's Playing at the Hertfordshire Congress: http://www.hertschesscongress.com/index ... -s-playing

[Ian Thompson]

Some players, particularly in the Open, are tending to register later and later. In previous years it did cause us to worry whether there will be sufficient players to run the tournament but we are getting used to coping with the late rush. Organisers need an iron nerve.

I've asked this before, but no-one replied. What effect does the late entry fee deadline have on entries? Do you get a surge of entries just before it applies, or does it make little difference? (Perhaps you don't know for this congress as you only have an "entry on the day" penalty.)

[Michael Flatt]

I've asked this before, but no-one replied. What effect does the late entry fee deadline have on entries? Do you get a surge of entries just before it applies, or does it make little difference? (Perhaps you don't know for this congress as you only have an "entry on the day" penalty.)

Having the ability to sign-up online and upload competitors details directly into pairing programs allows us to avoid doing manual processing of entries, although we still have to check grades and ECF membership information.

Even though we impose an 'entry on the day' fee we still get a handful of new entrants on the day, which causes us extra work. No organiser really wants to turn anyone away but it would help us if we could have everyone's entry BEFORE the day.

The level of the late fee and the length of time it applies will have some effect on dissuading late entries but there will always be a few who don't make their decision until the very last minute. Of course, there will always be a few late withdrawals which might lead to some players being repaired part way into the first round.

In general, once the tournament is under way the players are quite cooperative and give us plenty of warning over taking or changing a bye or even withdrawing when the results aren't going their way.

[E Michael White]

Michael Flatt

You had rather a lot to say on the ECF arbiting at Aberystwyth - FIDE perspective thead about lack of clarity concerning rules and any underlying ECF or National rules. Perhaps you could make clearer the rules that you as an arbiter at the Hertfordshire Chess Congress are proposing to use.

Tucked away on the website it mentions :-

Disputes
The organisers will resolve all disputes in accordance with the FIDE Laws of Chess and Hertfordshire Congress Tournament Rules.
The decision by the Controller in all matters shall be final.

But on the Pdf downloadable entry form it makes no mention of this. FIDE guidance for special process, where not local National Rules, is that it should be mentioned on the entry form as it was at Aberystwyth.

Could you make it clearer what the Hertfordshire Congress Tournament Rules are, or is it just a Hertford thing ?

[Michael Flatt]

Could you make it clearer what the Hertfordshire Congress Tournament Rules are, or is it just a Hertford thing ?

Unlike Aberystwyth 2014 we do not award 1.5 points for any game. It is only now that the FIDE representative has issued his end-of-year report that the loose ends regarding the Aberystwyth dispute have been tidied up. It appears that the official involved has admitted that he was in error in awarding 1.5 points for a single game.

It is regrettable that the issue had to be escalated to three separate FIDE commissions and the credibility of the ECF undermined by their incompetent handling of the dispute. It could have been resolved much earlier had the complaint been handled correctly.

At Hertfordshire we like to think that we are reasonable people and will answer reasonable questions and explain our rulings in any dispute.

My role is Webmaster and assistant Arbiter, but if you have a question about a specific rule I will do my best to answer.
1. We allow competitors to take 0.5 bye in rounds 1-4 and accept changes provided we are given sufficient notice before doing the draw.
2. Default time is 30 minutes, and players without an opponent may be repaired if a suitable opponent can be found. In the event of not finding a suitable opponent a 1 point bye will be awarded.
3. Electronic devices must be switched off in the playing hall.
4. Players who are on call may make arrangements with the Arbiter regarding access to their mobile.

Hertfordshire Tournament Rules: http://www.hertschesscongress.com/index ... ress-rules

[Roger Lancaster]

I'd just like to endorse Michael Flatt's sentiment that this " ... could have been resolved much earlier had the complaint been handled correctly ...". There's an audit trail on the Watford club website and anyone who cares to follow this will probably conclude that all efforts to resolve the matter sensibly were thwarted through obfuscation and subterfuge by a highly-placed officer of the ECF whose identity is known to all. It has recently been suggested to me that this case, although attracting a higher profile than most, is not unique. The Hertfordshire event is, I understand, well-regarded.

[Richard Bates]

I've added the dates of the Congress to the 'Who's Playing' page to make it obvious that the list applies to this year's Congress.

The list of entrants automatically updates when an Online Entry is recorded via Paypal so it is fully up-to-date.
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If this is supposed to happen then it... doesn't. Or at least there's the potential to screw up somehow!

[Michael Flatt]

For whatever reason Paypal didn't process your payment.
You should have received an automated email once the payment has been accepted.
I suggest that you either try again, send a cheque or pay on the day.
I will send an email that you registered with your entry to request which option you decide upon.

Edit: The error has been corrected and Richard's entry has been added to the list.