English Chess Forum

What does everyone think these less than clear entry criteria for the English Championships 2022 mean?

Qualification for the English Championships
Direct entries will be accepted from eligible players where –

• They have a FIDE title of GM, WGM, IM or WIM as at 1st March 2022; or
• They have a rating over 2100 ECF or FIDE in the respective March rating list and have registered for the event and been awarded a high rating wildcard entry by the organisers

Further ‘candidate’ entries will be accepted from all eligible players above the minimum rating of 2100 ECF or FIDE, in order of registration and up to a limit on total numbers for the final.

To me, they're saying that the ECF either has, or intends to, invite some players rated over 2100, but without a suitable FIDE title, to play and their entry has precedence over other untitled players rated over 2100. But I'm not sure, because, if it means that, why not say:

• Entries will be accepted from players with a suitable FIDE title
• Some players rated over 2100 without a title will be invited to play
• Anyone else rated over 2100 without a title can enter subject to places being available

Alternatively, the intention might be that no-one without a title will be invited, anyone rated over 2100 can enter and the ECF will then choose to give some of those entrants a "high rating wildcard entry" to allow them to jump the queue of entries being accepted in registration order.

Ian Thompson wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 11, 2022 4:49 pm

What does everyone think these less than clear entry criteria for the mean?

There's also

If the maximum number of registrations is not reached by 1st April the rating limit will be reduced to 1900 ECF or FIDE to allow additional candidate entries.

Arguably that's a fairly low threshold on ECF rating.

http://chess-results.com/tnr638674.aspx?lan=1

https://lichess.org/broadcast/chessable ... 1/QErvqXOF

Potential giant-killing on the cards in M Pert v P Wells: https://lichess.org/broadcast/chessable ... 1/QErvqXOF

Whoops

Amazing as it seems Peter did well to create enough complications to equalise, then Max made the losing move and offered a draw which Peter accepted out of sheer relief to survive.

Commentary on various twitch channels

https://www.twitch.tv/chesslifestyle (Saturday morning)
https://www.twitch.tv/ecf_commentary (not Saturday morning)