National FIDE rated rapidplay event

[Phil Thomas]

With my arbiting hat on.

I thought that the specialised clocks supplied by visually handicapped players were invariably used by both players.

[Ianbrownlee]

I thought that the specialised clocks supplied by visually handicapped players were invariably used by both players.

nope not from what I've seen, I've only seen two independent clocks running not connected at all. O've always wondered what would happen in any time scamble and I've yet to see any digital clocks used by blind players , making incremental time controls impossible. So we have the potential double whammy of not accomodating incremental time controls as well as no synchronised time controls. If thw same clpck is used then iy may require to be ab;e yo support incremental times, un;ess we abandon the incremental time idea, at least for a couple of years

Hopefully Phil you may have a suggestion or two to help out

[Craig Pritchett]

While I'd say that digital + increments is nowadays the gold standard across all national and international championship tournaments, it's probably not really critical to the (welcome) 'big' idea of having a MacIsaac Scottish national rapid-play championship annually.

That said, I am slightly surprised that an 11 round event, over a Saturday and Sunday, hasn't been mentioned. That's not just 'big' but it would provide a highly welcome, really top-class, Scottish Rapid championship, something that many young (and even older) players would really feel worth striving to battle for.

The longstanding British Rapid Championships (which already attracts some Scots) already shows that this can be done. Whether there is a 1850 cut-off point or none (but with subsidiary rating, age, gender, junior prizes ... as felt worthwhile) is perhaps less important than a judgement as to whether an open format (as in Leeds) would be organisationally feasible / attractive.

I think a one day event (it might only be possible to squeeze in no more than 7 rounds, possible only 5-6 in one day) is less attractive but would nevertheless be a welcome addition. But that might not attract the interest from the ambitious players quite as much ... to win an 11 round championship is really 'something'!

I am not really attracted to Grand Prix type systems for this kind of championship at all ... we have never even considered running the annual national Scottish Championships at classical rates this way and you only have to start thinking about this for a few seconds to realise why this would never work.

So why force the Scottish Rapid Championship down such a Grand Prix route? MacIsaac's name is worth a true national (Rapid) championship ... and he would probably himself have raised three cheers for such a modern 21st century use of his memory and trophy. I hasten to add that I can hardly prove that!!

[StevieHilton]

Ian the clock I use can be programmed for time increments it is not a problem

[Ianbrownlee]

Ian the clock I use can be programmed for time increments it is not a problem

thanks Steve Alex McFarlane has told me that as well so I can strike that off the list. I gather that it also has a facility for an ear piece so you can hear the clock as well.

next issue would be whether one venue or multiple venues. I think we should has just one venue for the first year. Any opinions anybody?

[Ianbrownlee]

That said, I am slightly surprised that an 11 round event, over a Saturday and Sunday, hasn't been mentioned. That's not just 'big' but it would provide a highly welcome, really top-class, Scottish Rapid championship, something that many young (and even older) players would really feel worth striving to battle for.

thanks for your input Craig
I did think of an eleven round (or similar) event but the question would be numbers and over two days for eleven games ? The cost of the venue would double and therefore the entry fee. I agree that the grand prix format is probably too ambitious especially in its first year. As a national event I am trying to throw as wide a net as possible (more diplomatic way of putting it Gerald?)

Having spoken to a few people I am thinking the following:
year 1

• 5 round swiss tournament
  1 venue 1 date , probably a saturday
  15 minutes (incremental ?)
  location: Grangmouth or Perth essentially good transport, good parking and easy access for the disabled
  grading minimum limit 1850 (local) or FIDE equivalent
  secondary tournament for those who either cannot or do not wish to participate in the MacIsaac
  FIDE arbiter on site
  Chess Scotland membership ?
  Entry fees as standard no discount for titled players

[Andy Howie]

If you are doing 5 rounds, I would suggest 25 minutes per player with a 10-second increment per move

[Phil Thomas]

I thought that the specialised clocks supplied by visually handicapped players were invariably used by both players.

nope not from what I've seen, I've only seen two independent clocks running not connected at all. O've always wondered what would happen in any time scamble and I've yet to see any digital clocks used by blind players , making incremental time controls impossible. So we have the potential double whammy of not accomodating incremental time controls as well as no synchronised time controls. If thw same clpck is used then iy may require to be ab;e yo support incremental times, un;ess we abandon the incremental time idea, at least for a couple of years

Hopefully Phil you may have a suggestion or two to help out

Still baffled here Ian,

If you look at the requirements for braile clocks in the current FIDE rules


5.A specially constructed chessclock for the visually disabled shall be admissible. It shall incorporate the following features: a.a dial fitted with reinforced hands, with every five minutes marked by one raised dot, and every 15 minutes by two raised dots, and
b.a flag which can be easily felt; care should be taken that the flag is so arranged as to allow the player to feel the minute hand during the last 5 minutes of the full hour.
c.optionally, a means of announcing audibly to the visually disabled player the number of moves


No mention of a second timing device for the same game.
FIDE requires a clock with hands which the sighted player can read. The digital versions I have seen have a LED display readable by the sighted player.


Steve,
have you had any strange time experiences with two clocks showing different winners by flagfall ?

[Alan Tate]

I quite like the GP idea, but perhaps it is one for the future. 1 or 2 days is fine - both have a certain appeal but the one day tournament is surely more practical, at least to begin with.
Please though, 5 rounds is not enough. 5 round tournaments only exits because of weekend congresses, and in weekenders the top players frequently don't even play each other. This format also encourage tighter play and more draws as it's harder to recover from a loss. If you lose one game you're out of the running!
It's easy to fit in 6 rounds in a day. For instance, most rapids in Scotland have long unnecassary breaks inbetween rounds which could be cut out. Regarding the time control, 15+10 is a bit blitzy in my opinion. 25+10 would be my preference (25+10 is the international standard), but if time does not allow, 20+10 is fine.

[Ianbrownlee]

just for arguments sake would we get away with 15 minutes without increments or do we need longer time controls like Andy suggested