I gather it may start with some unhappy players. Apparently an email went out last night asking players in the Open to confirm their participation. If they didn't reply, they wouldn't be included in the pairings for the first round. It may be news to the organisers, but not everyone checks their email 24/7.
Needing to establish exactly who is playing 24 hours ahead of schedule is caused by a clash of two rules. One being the rather stupid FIDE one forbidding re-pairing and the other a self imposed London Classic one of promising the first round pairings for the Open by midnight.
It's standard UK practice not to require pre-registration in any shape or form, whether this is 24 hours or one hour ahead of the first round. Any tournament departing from this should endeavour to ensure that deviation from the standard practice is well publicised in advance.
It is in fact on the entry form.
http://www.londonchessclassic.com/downl ... y-Form.pdf
Those entering on-line may have missed this even though it appears on the website.
Registration: Players must register in advance of the FIDE Open, in one of the following ways:
- In person, at the venue between 12:00 and 20:00 on Thursday, 8th December, or
- By e-mail, sent to [email protected] on Thursday 8th December before 20:00