English Chess Forum

Cumbria would have the University of Cumbria and also the Rheged Centre just off junction 40 at Penrith is pretty large.

Matt Bridgeman wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 04, 2019 11:59 pm

Cumbria would have the University of Cumbria and also the Rheged Centre just off junction 40 at Penrith is pretty large.

Would you be able to support the ECF by negotiating the venue (or at least finding out what the terms are)? There was some chuntering when the British went to Hull in 2018 but the Hull & District Chess Association were behind the event from the start and made it a huge success. I can see a Lake District British being very popular.

I've approached the Rheged Centre at Penrith and I'll see what they say. The centre also has an art house style cinema attached, and I've tried to perk their interest by suggesting the idea of a possible chess film festival to run simultaneous with the event.

The Rheged Centre at Penrith are very keen to host the 2020 event. They have a main playing area which they have told me can seat 600 players, plus numerous other rooms being available. They also love the idea of simultaneously hosting a chess film festival. I've got in touch with the manager of the British Championship, and I'm waiting for him to get back in touch.

"I've got in touch with the manager of the British Championship,"

Well done!

Kevin is keen on the idea. I'll find out tomorrow if the venue has the 1500 square metres the event would need.

Matt Bridgeman wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 07, 2019 12:17 am

Kevin is keen on the idea. I'll find out tomorrow if the venue has the 1500 square metres the event would need.

On the website it says

We have two halls, with a total area of 588 sqm

https://www.rheged.com/meetings/

L@@king at the list of entrants for Torquay, I spotted - horror - one GM out of the near fifty that might have registered. Surely they can do better than this?

http://essexroad.blogspot.com

James Pratt wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 12, 2019 5:51 pm

I spotted - horror - one GM out of the near fifty that might have registered. Surely they can do better than this?

Lack of money presumably, GMs like to be kept in some sort of style, rather than have to rely on the prize money alone.

Aren't there usually a few GMs entering fairly late on anyway?

Edit: I'm happy to say that I will be sending in my entry shortly

Roger de Coverly wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 12, 2019 5:59 pm

James Pratt wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 12, 2019 5:51 pm

I spotted - horror - one GM out of the near fifty that might have registered. Surely they can do better than this?

Lack of money presumably, GMs like to be kept in some sort of style, rather than have to rely on the prize money alone.

If you are a professional player then 'kept in style' might well equate to paying the mortgage and keeping a roof over your head. If there are no conditions, then there are no conditions, but you'll see from Keith it is frustrating not getting responses and therefore finding it difficult to plan schedules. I haven't asked about conditions this year, mainly because of my experience in previous years.
I would be very disappointed as a 2100 player if I had worked hard throughout the year ro qualify, then paid a £275 entry fee and we didn't have a very significantly stronger field than we have at present.

It is rather tragic if we can’t offer even some sort of appearance fee to EVERY Grandmaster who wants to support the British Championship by playing in it.

What would be the cost of staying in Torquay for the duration? The absolute minimum would be £500, including travel, accommodation, food etc and that is really pushing it.

Andrew Martin wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 13, 2019 10:52 am

It is rather tragic if we can’t offer even some sort of appearance fee to EVERY Grandmaster who wants to support the British Championship by playing in it.

What would be the cost of staying in Torquay for the duration? The absolute minimum would be £500, including travel, accommodation, food etc and that is really pushing it.

Would it be fair to say we would have more GMs playing if they were guaranteed against loss, even if it meant lower prizes in the Championships? In other words if you received £2000 in sponsorship money that would be better spent on 4 GMs - if more GMs participating in the event is the objective?

Perhaps this kind of financial incentive should be directed at inviting back previous winners, for starters.

I think a guarantee against loss is a good start, but without a sponsor one then has to accept lower prizes. There is no easy answer.

It is essential to attract our GMs to the tournament somehow, otherwise the Championship is devalued beyond recognition.