Scarborough Congress

[Tim Spanton]

I don't see how any pairing system is going to address a problem caused by the tournament having almost 3 times as many players as is desirable for a 5 round tournament.

The experiences of the past, when such numbers were commonplace, would suggest that accelerated systems can resolve the problem of having two people on 100% at the end of the final round.

Presumably a reason they didn't use acceleration was that they didn't put it on the entry form that they might. In the conditions for Hastings, it's usually present, although that's more down to a belief that acceleration can better preserve Norm opportunities.

To be fair, Hastings is at least nine rounds - 10 this year - so the chances of two players being on 100% with a round to go are slim.

[Alex McFarlane]

Answering some of the questions.

Acceleration - Correct as it was not listed as an option on the entry form. (The rating bands will be reviewed for next year.)

The prizemoney was increased (except in the Foundation), though not to previous levels as we were still about 50 players short. And, before it is asked, the accounts have not been completed but it is not run for a profit and should roughly break even (as it has in the past).

[Brendan O'Gorman]

Photos https://brendanogorman.smugmug.com/Ches ... rough-2021

[Paul Robert Jackson]

Best to end this thread thanking all the:
...Organisers
...Arbiters
...Players who attended
...Spa staff
for making this a very enjoyable & successful weekend.