SO WHO'S GOING TO SHEFFIELD? I AM!

[Mark Howitt]

It's up to the donators to decide whether to reveal the amount that is given in conditions of course- I was partly thinking from the perspective that if it was a reasonably large amount it could attract more players to the game. I know chessplayers mainly play the game for love, but they have to earn a living too!

[Sean Hewitt]

I was partly thinking from the perspective that if it was a reasonably large amount it could attract more players to the game.

It isn't, and it won't.

[Adam Raoof]

From memory, some organisers of international opens abroad are quite upfront about the conditions (accommodation and appearance money, free entry) that they give to titled players, how that will be paid and what they expect in return. That works if there is a flat fee system, and is a matter of choice.

There will always be a finite amount of money available for tournament appearance fees, even for events like the London Classic. However I really do hope that in future we get more Scottish players involved in the British. A joint Championship event would not be out of the question, especially if the British were to visit Scotland again.

Scottish Championships - http://www.chessscotland.com/csinfo/scochamp2011.htm

[LozCooper]

Over 700 players so far!

http://britishchess2011.com/entrants.htm

Isn't it 644? I've told you a million times before to stop exaggerating

[Adam Raoof]

Over 700 players so far!

http://britishchess2011.com/entrants.htm

Isn't it 644? I've told you a million times before to stop exaggerating

"Over 60 entries still to be processed.."

[Stewart Reuben]

If strong players keep playing partly because of financial support, then that will attract more players to the game. Not because of their expecting to make money, but because the strong players provide role models. That is one of the main reasons why it is in the best interests of all chessplayers to support our leading ones.

In case you haven't noticed, members will be able to see 'Bobby Fischer Against the World' at a special concessionary rate in Sheffield.

Adam Raoof > if the British were to visit Scotland again.<

If? Surely the managers are mandated to move the Championships around the country. The event will surely go to both Scotland and Wales in due course. 2003 is too long a time since the event visited Scotland.

Stewart Reuben

[Adam Raoof]

Adam Raoof > if the British were to visit Scotland again.<

If? Surely the managers are mandated to move the Championships around the country. The event will surely go to both Scotland and Wales in due course. 2003 is too long a time since the event visited Scotland.

I say 'if', meaning 'when' of course. I agree it should be sooner that later.

I completely agree with your point about stronger players providing role models for all - I believe that a lot of the success (I think we can already describe it as such) of Sheffield is down to the pulling power of the top event, as well as the marketing and terrific support from a lot of enthusiastic people.

[Mark Howitt]

In most professional sports the prize money and fees paid to players are known- it does generate interest. I agree that big names can add 'pulling power' to an event or a sport.

However... I doubt the Scottish chapionships will be planning to move to England soon. Last time the championships were in Scotland I think there was quite a low entry- including an Indian contingent. I think since the ECF by and large organises and provides the funding for the event, the wishes of ECF members should decide where it's held- and I doubt to many would vote for Scotand.

[Paul Cooksey]

In most proffessional sports the prize money and fees paid to players are known.

Most chess players can't even spell professional

[James Byrne]

...

[Mark Howitt]

Ahh... never underestimate the pedantry of chessplayers .

I can usually but I've been putting in a lot of hours in my job. I can rest assured that I've earnt more today than all but a handful of the world's top chessplayers though .

[Roger de Coverly]

Last time the championships were in Scotland I think there was quite a low entry-.

It did well last time it was there in 2003.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreads ... kZEJ#gid=0

But the Scottish Championship struggles for entries and the number of Scottish players coming to Sheffield is not great.
http://scotchess.s4.bizhat.com/scotches ... c1549.html

I don't think the wider body of English players, or Council as their representatives, are ever consulted as to the venue of the British. The subset of players, including Welsh, Scots and Irish are usually given a survey to complete as to their views. Next year's venue in North Shields was mentioned in the 2008 Torquay survey. Whether the relative proximity will result in more Scottish entries will only be known this time next year.

[Richard Bates]

I'm afraid I agree that personal details remain private for 2 reasons.

The British Championships this year received 2 donations - one of £250 from a private benefactor and one of £16585 from me. In all honesty, I won't be contributing any more personal funds to chess as I can't afford it but I'm sure everyone will understand that where I choose to spend my own money should remain confidential.

I hope the £16,585 will remain within the British Championship 'pot' if a surplus is made on this year's tournament rather than be spread generally around the ECF. Unless the benefactor specifies otherwise of course.

As a point of information, based on the above comment I know for a fact that this year's tournament has received more than 2 donations.

[Stewart Reuben]

Mark Howitt > Last time the championships were in Scotland I think there was quite a low entry- including an Indian contingent. I think since the ECF by and large organises and provides the funding for the event, the wishes of ECF members should decide where it's held- and I doubt to many would vote for Scotand.<

The two times the British was held in Edinburgh in my time it was highly successful despite, on both occasions, the playing halls being inferior. It is unsurprisig an event taking place which overlaps with the festival is successful. When it was in Dundee a large number of English players turned up, but the Scottish entry was very poor because the Scots arranged things very badly.
There were very good entries at the Swansea Leisure Centre on 2 occasions. When it was held at Swansea University, a venue I had rejected about 20 years before, the entry was down. Llandudno if we can get it would be superb.
At least in my time the players were consulted about prospective venues. This is not always possible unless arrangements are made a long way in advance. Canterbury and Sheffield had to be decided in fairly rapid order. Neil Graham, David Welch and I, and now presumably Alex McFarlane, have a good understanding of what is required.
It is becoming progressively more difficult to find a free venue. Canterbury wasn't perfect, but I would have sought to finalise a year while there in 2010.
Stewart Reuben

[Mark Howitt]

It'd be interesting to know how many Indians made up the 2003 entry- from what I can recall at the very least there were very few English GMs playing, partly in protest, partly because it was a long way for them to go. The BCF/ECF finally reacted about five years too late to ban Indians from the British Championship- quite an obvious decision which players had been petioning for for years!