Just to play "devils advocate" I would like to speak in support of this motion to promote women's participation and "reward" in Canada.
In BC over the last few years at the Grand Pacific Open, we have had a number of "official" sponsors including "Goddess Chess" who donate $300 each year on the condition that the prize money be distributed to the top 5 women players in the event. "Top Women $80, $70, $60, $50, $40 (in addition to any other prize Courtesy of Goddess Chess)" is what is stated on our website and flyers. Is this a "fair" policy to all players - well probably not. Is it good for chess in Canada -
absolutely!
FYI -- we have enjoyed an increase in attendance of women players. This year about 10% of our entries were women. I wonder if we have national stats on the typical tournament average participation of women? (is it less than 10% -- I would think so) In British Columbia, the numbers are on the increase! The point is anything that helps us, the CFC, to complete our mandate to "promote and encourage the knowledge, study and play of the game of chess in Canada" is good! Here is the final result from this year: Top Women (Courtesy of Goddess Chess) 1st: $80 WGM Katerina Rohonyan, 2nd-3rd $65 each: WFM Chouchanik Airapetian, Becca Lampman 4th-5th: $45 each Alice Huanyi Xiao and Joanne Foote.
The winner of the GPO from 2011 was WGM Nino Maisuradze! This year we had WGM Katerina Rohonyan give the winner Jack Yoos a run for his money.
We, at the CFC, need to promote and retain women's memberships too! This is a good motion by the Women's Coordinator Iulia Lacau-Rodean and I am voicing my support of this motion.
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Thanks to Douglas Bain of Bluegiraffe Photography - Our Official Photographer's Photos:
http://bluegiraffephoto.zenfolio.com/grandpacificopen