Ag. Item # 7 – Canadian Open Update

[Bob Armstrong]

In this thread, Michael Barron of the GTCL organizing committee, will advise us of the current status of the Can. Open. Anyone can respond.

[Bob Armstrong]

I see Michael has signed in now. Can he please post here a current status report on the Canadian Open?

Thanks.

Bob

[Michael Barron]

Dear chess friends,

I'm pleased to inform you about progress in 2010 Canadian Open organization.
Many people are working to make 2010 Canadian Open really remarkable event.
We have started extensive advertising campaign:
Canadian Chess News publishes our advertising since February,
it was included in April issue of Chess Life magazin,
many web sites have information about 2010 Canadian Open as well.

To promote Canadian Open we offered a free entry as an additional prize for one of the Grand Pacific Open participants - at organizers' discretion.
We're planning to offer the same prize for a few more major Canadian tournaments - please let me know if you're organizing such tournament.

We got confirmations from 5 GMs and so far have 32 registrants:

	Title	First Name	Surname		Rating	Province Category
						
1	GM	Evgeny		Bareev		2667	FO	
2	GM	Eduardas	Rozentalis	2628	FO	
3	GM	Alexander	Shabalov	2587	US	
4	GM	Joshua		Friedel		2543	US	
5	GM	Walter		Arencibia	2500	FO	
6	IM	Luis Lazaro Aguero Jimenez	2398	FO	
7		Liam		Henry		2180	ON	
8	FM	Brett		Campbell	2177	ON	
9	FM	Michael		Dougherty	2160	ON	
10		Alan		Gregg		2128	US	s
11		Ilia		Bluvshtein	2099	ON	
12		Daniel		Abrahams	2084	ON	
13		Ismail		Ibrahim		2052	ON	
14		Rod		Hill		1982	NB	s
15		Michael		Song		1858	ON	
16		David		Poirier		1855	NS	
17		Ferdinand	Supsup		1834	ON	
18		Bruce		Dowling		1786	ON	s
19		Steven		Faust		1758	AB	
20		Joe		Bellomo		1738	ON	s
21		John R.		Brown		1714	ON	s
22		Caesar		Posylek		1708	ON	
23		Joseph		Sy		1694	ON	
24		Richard		Keep		1690	QC	
25		Shafkat		Ali		1646	ON	
26		Doug		Sly		1628	BC	s
27		James		Mourgelas	1596	ON	
28		Henry		Grayson		1580	ON	
29		Peter W.	Hazen		1565	ON	
30		Andre		Siegel		1514	ON	
31		Eric		Song		1268	ON	b
32		Victor		Okon		0	ON

We're looking forward for enjoyable and succesfull Canadian Open.
See you all in Toronto in July!

[Christopher Mallon]

Are Canadian GM/IM being offered the same conditions as the foreign ones? I'm just curious why none have signed up so far.

[Ilia Bluvshtein]

The same conditions were offered to Canadian GMs. Unfortunately, none of them signed up.
Thus far no conditions have been offered to IMs due to limited budget. We are still working with potential sponsor. If budget allows to offer conditions in future, we will first offer the conditions to Canadian players.

[Michael von Keitz]

Can exceptions be made for certain IMs? For instance, if Hebert were to opt to play, would he be offered conditions on par with those offered to Canadian/international GMs?

All in all, I have to say that I am looking forward to this event getting started! I would like to thank the organizers for all of their hard work to date.

[Valer Eugen Demian]

Jean is the title holder of the moment, so I think he should be given special consideration if he wishes to play!

[Bob Armstrong]

See Michael Barron post above for report.

Is this summary generally satisfactory?

Bob

[Michael Barron]

Can exceptions be made for certain IMs? For instance, if Hebert were to opt to play, would he be offered conditions on par with those offered to Canadian/international GMs?

All in all, I have to say that I am looking forward to this event getting started! I would like to thank the organizers for all of their hard work to date.

Of course, we could make exceptions for certain IMs!

The problem is - somebody in the end should pay the bills...
I could promise - if we get 300 paid entries, Hebert will be offered to play without entry fee.

Another option - everybody could make a charitable donation for Canadian Open.
The donors will get tax receipts, and their protege - special consideration...

[Valer Eugen Demian]

Of course, we could make exceptions for certain IMs!

The problem is - somebody in the end should pay the bills...
I could promise - if we get 300 paid entries, Hebert will be offered to play without entry fee.

Another option - everybody could make a charitable donation for Canadian Open.
The donors will get tax receipts, and their protege - special consideration...

... I wanted to make is to treat the Canadian Champion on the same level as GMs. Considering this is a Canadian organized tournament, I am sure the public favours the participation of the top local player over just another GM in the crowd!