15-09-2016, 07:24 AM
Quote:-Selection process
To my mind, the criteria and approaches adopted up until now need to be changed. It should be an honour to represent your country and should not be given away lightly, despite our limited resources with regard to players/funds/etc.
My suggestions are as follows:-
-the cut-off date for selection will be June 30th each year
-4 players will be chosen by the selectors based on the following criteria:
-minimum 15 FIDE-rated games played during the preceding 6 months to ensure reasonable ‘match-fitness’ when it comes to the big team tournaments.
I wasn't involved in selecting the Open team this time but by the new criteria we have selected the completely wrong team. Using players who played a minimum of 15 FIDE rated games 1/1/16-30/6/16 the team should have been :
1. Arakhamia 2 Tate 3 Mannion 4 Burnett 5 Giulian .
These "match-fit" players would have performed above seedings and we would all now be praising them for selection foresight ,hard work & dedication.