English chess is moribund

[Clive Wismayer]

That’s gone over my head, Paul. I am?

[Paul McKeown]

Why isn’t Shreyas Royale in New York? 15 & already a 2500 GM.

He did play at the London Chess Classic, and it was clearly a step up for him. Even with your exaggeration for trolling effect, I doubt you would be prepared to call players such as Vidit or Mamedyarov as "third-rate," even if you wish to insist that the tournament was.

[Roger de Coverly]

Why isn’t Shreyas Royale in New York? 15 & already a 2500 GM. The ECF should have found him a sponsor or paid for his trip itself.

One reason is that he didn't meet the rating requirement for an automatic invitation.

The players rated at least 2550 in any of the twelve most recent FIDE rating lists (Standard, Rapid or Blitz) at the moment of the beginning of R&B

[Clive Wismayer]

Why isn’t Shreyas Royale in New York? 15 & already a 2500 GM.

He did play at the London Chess Classic, and it was clearly a step up for him. Even with your exaggeration for trolling effect, I doubt you would be prepared to call players such as Vidit or Mamedyarov as "third-rate," even if you wish to insist that the tournament was.

I know he did. The tournament was weak & thin gruel. Only 8 players & decidedly non-stellar.

[Paul Cooksey]

Any idea what category the LCC was?

I did look this up, but the conversation had moved on. 16. Coincidentally, possibly, because I only checked quickly, I think LCC might also have been the 16th strongest classical tournament last year. You could argue that Sinquefield and Nordic chess are the top tier. (Perhaps a little harshly on WIjk since they don't prioritise rating quite so much). LCC not in that definition of top tier. But I'd like more than two elite tournaments a year.

Whether you consider 16th world class or third rate is subjective. I think Liem Le is a great player. Chris would take away his GM title.

Either way, although I have hope Shreyas will become an elite player, he isn't one yet. So seems to me he is making good decisions where to play to improve. An invite to Corus B might well have been welcome, I don't know. But we all know how political Dutch chess is.

[Mick Norris]

Why isn’t Shreyas Royale in New York? 15 & already a 2500 GM. The ECF should have found him a sponsor or paid for his trip itself.

One reason is that he didn't meet the rating requirement for an automatic invitation.

The players rated at least 2550 in any of the twelve most recent FIDE rating lists (Standard, Rapid or Blitz) at the moment of the beginning of R&B

Ah facts, no place for that here

[Paul Cooksey]

If there is one thing we have learnt this week it is that FIDE aren't too concerned about facts either.

It does seem likely Shreyas could have got a wildcard if it was his top priority. I assume it was not.

[Clive Wismayer]

Why isn’t Shreyas Royale in New York? 15 & already a 2500 GM. The ECF should have found him a sponsor or paid for his trip itself.

One reason is that he didn't meet the rating requirement for an automatic invitation.

The players rated at least 2550 in any of the twelve most recent FIDE rating lists (Standard, Rapid or Blitz) at the moment of the beginning of R&B

Ah facts, no place for that here

Many such players nevertheless made the entry. $100 was all it took. Quite possibly refundable if not accepted. Nothing like English defeatism. Anyhow, he came last in the LCC so possibly not such a rising star after all.

[Paul Cooksey]

Anyhow, he came last in the LCC so possibly not such a rising star after all.

Nothing like English defeatism. (One of us! One of us!)

Based on his age and rating I expect him to make 16 in the world.

[Richard Bates]

One reason is that he didn't meet the rating requirement for an automatic invitation.

Ah facts, no place for that here

Many such players nevertheless made the entry. $100 was all it took. Quite possibly refundable if not accepted. Nothing like English defeatism. Anyhow, he came last in the LCC so possibly not such a rising star after all.

Moving on from insulting English chess in general to insulting individual players now, about whom you know even less. And junior players at that. Classy.

[Clive Wismayer]

Are they sacred?

[Paul Cooksey]

Children? Complex question. But in countries with an Abrahamic tradition, generally yes.

[Chris Goodall]

Why isn’t Shreyas Royale in New York? 15 & already a 2500 GM. The ECF should have found him a sponsor or paid for his trip itself.

Absolutely not. Your idea of "thinking big" is investing in the kind of players that your non-chess-playing friends have heard of. That's thinking small. The reflected glory never actually rubs off on the decision makers. That's how Manchester United have the world's most expensive squad of all time and a stadium infested with mice.

That and it's GCSE mock exam season.

If he were Dutch he would probably be playing in the Challengers at Wijk.

If he were Dutch he would be playing in a tournament held in the Netherlands? Wow

[Clive Wismayer]

If he were Dutch he would be playing in a tournament held in the Netherlands? Wow

Way to miss the point. Wijk is a big tournament that matters, unlike the LCC or Hastings. The Netherlands can offer elite competition to its promising players because it’s a proper chess country, not a fading backwater.

[Graham Borrowdale]

Moving on from insulting English chess in general to insulting individual players now, about whom you know even less. And junior players at that. Classy.

Well said, Richard.
Happy New Year all - I think my New Year’s resolution should be to keep off this thread.