Report from the Tournament Director/DOP
17 November 2007
This year’s tournament programme has again been completed successfully although attendance has dropped significantly in comparison with recent years. Table 1 reveals this trend. Having been at the club for 15 years, I see this fall in tournament participation as an unpredictable cyclical event, and increased attendances in recent Friday nights at the club lead me to be optimistic for 2008.
Table 1: Number of players entering & completing at least 50% of games
|
Year |
Flood |
Hour |
Allegro |
Lightning |
Total |
|
2007 |
12 |
11 |
6 |
8 |
37 |
|
2006 |
18 |
16 |
12 |
11 |
57 |
|
2005 |
15 |
16 |
12 |
9 |
52 |
|
2004 |
14 |
12 |
14 |
11 |
51 |
|
2003 |
15 |
14 |
10 |
8 |
47 |
|
2002 |
10 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
40 |
|
2001 |
8 |
10 |
8 |
4 |
30 |
|
2000 |
12 |
14 |
7 |
9 |
42 |
|
1999 |
9 |
12 |
9 |
8 |
38 |
|
1998 |
14 |
7 |
12 |
14 |
47 |
|
1997 |
16 |
16 |
11 |
12 |
55 |
|
1996 |
13 |
16 |
13 |
10 |
52 |
|
1995 |
9 |
10 |
9 |
10 |
38 |
Tournaments commenced and were completed close to schedule. The Flood Cup, One Hour and Odd Knights tournaments were submitted for rating with the Australian Chess Federation (ACF) so most players who competed in these tournaments will have an official ACF rating in the December 2007 list. The Allegro tournament was submitted for rapid rating.
Major tournaments conducted during 2007 include the following:
In addition to these I was organiser and arbiter for the 45 Minute, Prize Night, Odd Knights and St David’s Day tournaments. These are the more relaxed of our tournaments, with the aim to make participation fun and enjoyable. Participation in the Odd Knights tournament’s initial year was disappointing. Only 16 games have been played to date, including only 3 games since February 16. Consideration needs to be given as to whether this tournament is retained in the 2008 calendar.
The Gap played Samford in a series of interclub matches. These nights were successful, and have been a forum in which players can play serious games without having to be concerned about loss of rating points and tournament standing.
In 2008 I foresee a similar tournament calendar to this year, and welcome any suggestions as to how the programme can be improved.
Andrew Robinson
Director of Play (DOP)
The Gap Chess Club Inc.