This Memorial Day will mark the last OTB event for me (The Washington Open) at least for awhile, and it's been quite an experience to say the least.
I was an active OTB player in the Seattle area in the 80's and 90's but left for 3 decades for personal reasons. However last year I decided to end the drought and played in the Oregon Class championship. My 2/5 score in the 1400-1600 section was expected due to such a long layoff, however other experiences left me wondering if OTB was a good idea for me anymore. i.e.
I found my older self in my 60's sitting in a room with 85% school age kids. When the rounds finished, usually with me losing, I offered to analyze the games with them, they looked at me as if I were speaking another language and scampered off to play with their friends. 2 of them were quickly escorted out by their mothers who frowned and looked at me suspiciously as if I were a pervert or other undesirable.
The clock: I bought a new electronic clock for the event, but despite my internet search, I couldn't find instructions for how to set secondary time controls. When I asked the TD (whom I judged to be about 17) about this, he quickly snatched the clock from my hand and began flipping various buttons to set the clock correctly. I asked him if he could slow down and let me take notes so I could do this myself. visibly irritated, he simply said it was my responsibility to learn this. By round 5 he clearly dreaded to see me coming even though the education process would not have taken more than 2 min. I could find no other players willing to help me with this. (Gone is the comradery of decades past I guess) I was wondering about the possibility of having to hire a chess coach just to teach me how to program my clock!
The site: Our stay at the DoubleTree inn was comfortable. Clean rooms with good food and surroundings, however travel, lodging, and other related expenses topped $600.00. Some simple math told me 5-6 of these events a year would put a dent in my savings.
4 more events have come and gone since then, and things have improved. I've made a few new friends, am more comfortable with different time controls, and now can program my clock like a pro. I'm not bitter. In fact, I'm deeply thankful to live in an internet age where chess competition is no farther away than my notebook computer.
I'm back at Red Hot Pawn, have entered an Open Duel tournament and will spend some time deeply considering if OTB events are really for me anymore. 🤔
My story is similar.
When I made this account over 20 years ago I was an active tournament player. I pushed aside my trepidations about the lack of a dress code, the indifferent tournament directors and the annoying kids.
I was going to be one of the best chess players and these costly tournaments would be in my rearview mirror.
That never happened.
Long story short, I'm waiting to be eligible for the seniors tournaments which have a 50+ and 65+ setting.
@mchill saidI realize that the quality of TDs, like that of everything else, varies greatly. However, I'd never encountered or heard of one who was as rude as you've described. That's no way to treat a customer.
This Memorial Day will mark the last OTB event for me (The Washington Open) at least for awhile, and it's been quite an experience to say the least.
I was an active OTB player in the Seattle area in the 80's and 90's but left for 3 decades for personal reasons. However last year I decided to end the drought and played in the Oregon Class championship. My 2/5 score in the 14 ...[text shortened]... l tournament and will spend some time deeply considering if OTB events are really for me anymore. 🤔
I'm also taken aback by the ignorance/presumptuousness of the "disapproving" mothers. One thing I liked about tournament chess was that age difference between opponents was virtually irrelevant.
I'm with you mchill regarding these new fangled clocks. I get one of the kids
to set them at league matches etc and I have the instructions.
(you should be able to get a copy on the net )
The change in atmosphere at tournaments from the late 60's to early 2020's
(when I played) to today is very different.
In the olden days we would gather around a board in the analysis room and
watch the good guys going over their games. (occasionally, very rarely, I was the
good guy! at these sessions and entertained the crowd.)
I had a few ringside seats in the analysis room when this happened and
picked up loads of tips, hints, ideas in those 5-10 minutes. The last few events I
went too as a spectator or reporter never even had an analysis room.
Players sat by themselves going over their game on their app and growling with
displeasure if anyone came near.
I have been tempted and indeed invited to play in these old codger events.
I can now play in the over70's. These events are very easy for any T.D. to organise,
they can do the draw at random because nobody can remember who they have played.
@greenpawn34 saidSpeaking of the analysis room ...
I'm with you mchill regarding these new fangled clocks. I get one of the kids
to set them at league matches etc and I have the instructions.
(you should be able to get a copy on the net )
The change in atmosphere at tournaments from the late 60's to early 2020's
(when I played) to today is very different.
In the olden days we would gather around a board in the ...[text shortened]... T.D. to organise,
they can do the draw at random because nobody can remember who they have played.
I took part in the U.S. Open in Atlantic City during the Fischer-Spassky match. The two top seeds in the U.S. Open that year were Walter Browne (the ultimate victor) and Bent Larsen. After the day's games had finished in Atlantic City, Larsen would give a short presentation with commentary on whatever game was currently running in Iceland (moves relayed via fax). Browne would relax playing blitz backgammon with someone. The rest of the boards were full up with people analyzing and chattering away, often with four players playing blitz bug-house. Watching the good players analyze was an education in itself.
HI moonbus
One thing I remember was two strong players going over a game. The most common
phrase was 'centralise' and 'centralise' and 'centralise'.... I was thinking big deal but
what are you threatening. (then I was at the stage you must be either threatening or
defending with every move....preferably threatening something.)
It took a while to sink in and even then I could not ignore my caveman approach but
at least now I knew why my attacks were getting knocked back. I ignored centalisation.
@greenpawn34 saidCentralising is great for chess, but lousy for the economy.
HI moonbus
One thing I remember was two strong players going over a game. The most common
phrase was 'centralise' and 'centralise' and 'centralise'.... I was thinking big deal but
what are you threatening. (then I was at the stage you must be either threatening or
defending with every move....preferably threatening something.)
It took a while to sink in and even ...[text shortened]... approach but
at least now I knew why my attacks were getting knocked back. I ignored centalisation.
😆