Quote Originally Posted by Edward Porper View Post
You would be right, Michael, if the Closed were indeed Closed. Limit it to 10 or 16 qualifiers from the provincials +past champions and possibly, a couple of highest rated players - and I am fully with you on that.
As such, it would indeed be the most important chess tournament for Canadians. As it is, it's just another Open where EVERYBODY has to pay an entry fee, and there are essentially no conditions. No wonder, not everybody can afford it. Besides, it would be too late for any _current_ Olympiad - would you automatically disqualify someone who didn't play a year ago? Or even two years?
I think that the selection should be current - apart from being fair and transparent, of course.
Why should we limit participation?
The more players - the better!
IMHO, every Canadian master deserves to play at Canadian Closed.

As for conditions...
Hopefully, new Fundraising Coordinator could find a sponsor which will provide decent conditions for all Canadian Closed participants...

Of course, the selection should be current!
Next Olympiad will be in August 2014.
Canadian Closed 2013 could be a qualifier for Olympiad 2014.