British Chess Championships 2010

[Adam Raoof]

myurenok stands for Maria Yurenok. I'm happy to use my full name if someone can explain to me the technicalities of changing my login. I qualified from 4NCL based on performance rating. I'm not sure anyone would be eligible to take a place instead of me, but if they are - please let me know. I don't keep on top of ever-changing rules regarding the British.

I knew that I had the same problem - just email Carl and he'll oblige!

I think the many routes to qualify for the British also needs to be reconsidered.

Richard: point taken, as usual. Ever fancied getting involved with the organisational side of chess?

[Maria Yurenok]

I think it should be borne in mind that there are generally somewhere between 900 and 1000 entrants for the British, and the views of a small number of people on here (many giving reasons why they don't play) are not necessarily representative as a basis for seeking to canvass opinion.

True, but that's the best you're going to have until you run a proper survey. To avoid spending money on running a survey (at least initially) I suggest posting a one-question mini-survey on the front page of ECF and run it for a month. Something along the lines of: "what's the main reason you do not participate in the British?" Tick one of the following: a) too long b) too short c) location d) costs e) dates f) not enough titled players g) other. And after initial results decide how to survey to break down those results further.

Thanks Adam, I'll contact Carl about login.

[Richard Bates]

True, but that's the best you're going to have until you run a proper survey. To avoid spending money on running a survey (at least initially) I suggest posting a one-question mini-survey on the front page of ECF and run it for a month. Something along the lines of: "what's the main reason you do not participate in the British?"

That does rather make my point though. At a stroke you restrict your sample to those who don't play! There is always a danger in concentrating too much on those who don't play in that you give them everything they want and they say thanks, but actually i still prefer Spain in summer! And at the same time lose many of those who consistently turn out every year because they like the current arrangements.

Adam, no. Far more suited to opinionating from the sidelines I'm afraid

[Maria Yurenok]

If you want to improve entries in the British then you have to survey the chess players who don't come to the British, who vastly outnumber those who do come to the British.

I'm not saying don't survey people who come to the British, but that would be far more effective (in terms of percentage response) with a traditional pen and paper method when they actually turn up at Canterbury. Of course, their loyalty is important and the organisers will need to make sure that if they make any changes they won't deter majority of loyal attendees.

[Alex McFarlane]

I too believe that we should be trying to canvas the players who don't take part to find out why. I had not thought of doing it on the ECF website (along with the Scottish, Welsh and Irish ones as well!) and I'm still not totally convinced that is the best way to do it. I'll think about that further.

My thought for the first half of next season was to do surveys at Congresses and 4NCL to find out why these players do/don't go to the British. In my opinion this is a more likely market to aim for as they are active players and already commit to travelling to events.

We should also be thinking about a special event for 2013 which sees the 100th British Championship.

There are certainly things which are not ideal about the current format, and whilst not wanting to be over cautious, we must also make sure that we don't throw out the baby with the bath water.

[Sean Hewitt]

Out of interest, what level of entries does the British need to break even this year? I assume the organisers of the British, like other organisers, have an approx figure. Of course, this cannot be fixed as a player in the Championship pays double one in the Major Open for example.

[Adam Raoof]

Out of interest, what level of entries does the British need to break even this year? I assume the organisers of the British, like other organisers, have an approx figure. Of course, this cannot be fixed as a player in the Championship pays double one in the Major Open for example.

I think you've answered your own question, Sean!

[Sean Hewitt]

I think you've answered your own question, Sean!

I don't think I have Adam, I can't see a number in my question! I realise that any such number would be approximate, but there surely is such a number. Isn't there?

[Adam Raoof]

Of course, this cannot be fixed as a player in the Championship pays double one in the Major Open for example.

Given the above, how can we answer your question in terms of the number of players at the British? Moreover, many players take part in several events, and are therefore counted as participants several times.

[Alex McFarlane]

The Budget gives a figure for predicted entry fees. This figure is based on approx 800-850 entries.
As has been stated the number is not exact due to the variation in the entry fees for different events.
Edinburgh 2003 is the largest British ever with 1007 entries but was not the most 'profitable' due to a large weekend entry as opposed to Championship/Major Open.
A British with 200 paying entries in the Championship would easily break even, whereas one with a 1200 but all playing in the weekend would struggle (assuming Championship would still take place with only IMs and GMs).

[Carl Hibbard]

The Budget gives a figure for predicted entry fees. This figure is based on approx 800-850 entries.

It's at 376 @ 25th June although how that compares to normal I don't know

[Stewart Reuben]

Maria qualified for the British from a rating performance in the 4NCL. Such a place is non-transferable. The only places that are transferable are where a player has qualified by coming first (among non-qualifiers) in a tournament. If that person does not take up their place then it can be transferred to the next player on the SAME SCORE who did not qualify simply because of tiebreak.
Gone are the days when you could simply beg for a place.
There are indeed many qualifying routes. Arguably I was over-generous in their allocation in 2009. But I knew at the time there was no sponsor, nor likely to be one for 2010.

Of course there should be a questionaire both to people who play and to people who do not. It would not be easy to prepare. This was going to happen in 2009, but circumstances changed. There should be prizes for both groups to encourage responses.

Stewart Reuben

[PaulTalbot]

What would be your ideal location for the British?

a) If it could go anywhere on the UK, once and

b) If it had to be in the same place every year

I'd be interested in your reasons for choosing the location, but would also like to know if there is a particular playing venue you have in mind, considering the amount of time you may have to spend inside playing chess!

Aberystwyth and/or Torquay

[PaulTalbot]

Canterbury is a right old trek from the Midlands and North, and it's not by the sea. I suspect that these reasons may affect participation in some of the other sections.

We've booked a lovely (we hope) cottage in Whitstable which is about 5 miles from Canterbury. I would have to tell you after the event though if it will add to my list of favourite options.

[Sean Hewitt]

Of course, this cannot be fixed as a player in the Championship pays double one in the Major Open for example.

Given the above, how can we answer your question in terms of the number of players at the British? Moreover, many players take part in several events, and are therefore counted as participants several times.

Like this

The Budget gives a figure for predicted entry fees. This figure is based on approx 800-850 entries.
As has been stated the number is not exact due to the variation in the entry fees for different events.
Edinburgh 2003 is the largest British ever with 1007 entries but was not the most 'profitable' due to a large weekend entry as opposed to Championship/Major Open.
A British with 200 paying entries in the Championship would easily break even, whereas one with a 1200 but all playing in the weekend would struggle (assuming Championship would still take place with only IMs and GMs).

Thanks Alex.