Governor Mark Bluvshtein and I are prepared to file two motions to enhance the two sections of the Handbook dealing with National Standards for major tournaments generally, and the Canadian Closed in particular, as follows:
Motion # 1 – Canadian Championships – Rules of Procedure
December 18, 2009
Moved: Mark Bluvshtein Seconded: Bob Armstrong
That CFC Handbook Section 8 on Canadian Championships be amended as follows:
1. Section 801 be deleted, except for the section reference, and the following substituted for it:
“ Canadian Championship and Canadian Zonal Tournament:
A Canadian Championship shall be held each year. But there can be substituted for it a Championship Tournament known as the "Canadian Zonal Championship Tournament", hereinafter referred to as the "Zonal Tournament", which shall normally be held in Canada to coincide with the FIDE World Championship cycle. The winner of the Zonal Tournament will be that year’s Canadian Champion. “
2. there be added before the words “ the Zonal tournament “ wherever they occur, the words “ the Canadian Championship or “ in the following sections: 803. Players; 804. Provincial Champion ( a ) and ( b ); 805. Rating Requirements (a ); 806. Additional Places; 807. Citizenship and Residency for Canadian Championship; 808. Entries;
3. that there be added to Section 803 on “ Players “ a subsection ( h ) as follows:
( h ) the Canadian Women’s Closed Champion;
4. Section 811 on “ Prize Fund “ be deleted and the following substituted for it:
811. ( a ) Each player will be responsible for paying his own entry fee, accommodation and meal expenses with the exception of the following:
( i ) the Canadian Champion and Runner-Up shall have their entry fee, accommodation and meal expenses paid by the tournament organizers;
(ii ) free entry shall be given to IM’s and GM’s;
( iii ) free accommodation should be provided for GM’s;
( b ) The organizers shall provide a prize fund; part of this obligation shall be to make a significant effort to find sponsors;
( c ) For the Zonal Tournament, first prize shall be travel to the next round of the world championship cycle and a cash prize of at least 20% of the balance of the prize fund. With the exception of the travel prize, cash prizes will be shared by players in the same score group and not be subject to tie-break.
( d ) Bidders for the Canadian Championships shall take into account in their bids this section 811 of section 8 of the Handbook, and if they intend to exempt themselves from any of the conditions herein, they shall clearly note such in their bids, so the CFC can determine whether such bids will be accepted.
5. Section 812 on “ Travel “ be amended by adding after the heading the words “ for the Zonal Tournament “;
Commentary:
Though this section of the Handbook is entitled Canadian Championships, it then goes on to only deal with the Canadian Zonal Championship Tournament. It should refer as well to the Canadian Championship in non-zonal years. Our amendments correct this deficiency.
We also feel that in the interest of promoting women’s chess in Canada, the Canadian Women’s Champion should be a player entitled to play in the Canadian Championships and we have added her into section 803.
The Canadian Closed Championships ( both zonal and non-zonal ) have lost some of their prestige in recent years. Many of the top Canadian players have not played in recent Canadian Championships. We hope that the quality and importance of the tournament comes back. We have provided some guidelines for what we believe to be a bare minimum for the Closed Championships, in an attempt to standardize and improve the event. We have made these conditions a part of the bidding process by organizers of the Closeds. First of all we have added to the Procedures that the Canadian Champion and Runner-up are entitled to preferential treatment, to accord with their positions in the Canadian chess community – to the current payment for them of their accommodation, we have added entry fee and meals.. In order to encourage Canadian GM’s and IM’s to attend, raising the quality of the Closeds, we have had the organizers give them free entry. And to recognize Canadian GM’s, of whom there are not many, we have added that the organizers must pay for their accommodation. We recognize that these expenses may be difficult to cover only through entry fees, so we have added that organizers must make significant efforts to obtain sponsorships, to help cover all tournament costs.
Motion # 2 – Important Events in Canada – Guidelines, Bids
Jan. 25, 2010
Moved: Mark Bluvshtein Seconded: Bob Armstrong
That CFC Handbook Section 9 on Important Events in Canada – Guidelines, Bids, be amended as follows:
1. Section 900 be deleted, except for the section reference, and the following substituted for it:
“ In evaluating bids for important events in Canada, a factor shall be whether the bidder has made every effort to provide:
(1) good playing conditions for the participants; and
(2) good viewing conditions for the spectators.
Consideration should be given to the following points:
( Note: original section drafted by : Phil Haley, International Arbiter, Member FIDE Rules Commission. ) “
2. Section 904 shall be amended by adding at the start of the section the sentence:
“ A minimum of 3 demonstration boards should be provided for the top boards.”
3. Section 912 shall be amended by adding at the start of the section the sentence:
“ Pieces, boards and clocks should be provided by the organizers. “
4. Section 917 shall be amended by adding at the end the sentence:
“ Name cards should be made for all players, with name, rating and province displayed.”
5. Section 933. shall be added as follows:
For the Canadian Closed, whether or not a Zonal, round by round bulletins should be provided, either online or in print. These should include all the games from each round.
6. Section 934 shall be added as follows:
For the Canadian Closed, whether or not a Zonal, a tournament website should be created with a minimum of:
A. Live transmission of a minimum of the 3 top boards.
B. A players’ list, and pairings and standings updated after each round.
C. Photos of the players and the event.
Commentary:
The proposed changes enhance the current section 9 to make the event more spectator and sponsor friendly.
Item 1 makes it clear that these conditions will form part of the evaluation of a bid.
Items 2-4 enhance the already existing sections.
Item 5 gives the Canadian Closed, whether or not a Zonal, a professional profile, and the bulletins help players prepare, and promote the tournament to, and create more interest in it for, spectators and the public.
Item 6 modernizes the most important Canadian Closed, whether or not a Zonal. It is now standard for major world tournaments to have their own websites. This creates a professional profile for the tournament, and greatly enhances public interest in the tournament.
We would appreciate and consider any comments/amendments you might propose ( we would especially like to hear from organizers ) before we file our motions. Thanks.
Mark & Bob