When I was an ICCF player back in the 80's and 90's our American ICCF secretary was Max Zavanelli. "Max the Axe" as he was known instituted a policy of blacklisting American correspondence players that dropped out of tournaments for no good reason. Players that could show proof of hardship such as job loss, transfers to distant places to work or for medical reasons were given a pass, all others were forbidden to enter ICCF events for a period of time, chronic offenders were banned permanently. I thought this was a bit harsh at the time, but I noticed after this policy was instituted, the results of American ICCF events (especially team play) improved a great deal. The American ICCF teams were no longer the weak sisters of correspondence chess, and though their ranks had thinned a bit, they had moved well up into the middle ranks, and surprised even some correspondence chess powerhouses such as Norway and East Germany with their consistent and determined style of play.
The reason I bring this up is I win at least 10% of my tournament games because my opponents quit playing before our game is finished, some quit in the 1st 10 moves, and while this does wonderful things for my ego, it artificially inflates my rating, and is a waste of my time. I'm aware such a policy here would create additional work for the organizers of this site, and may not be practical, but I have to ask: Would it be worth losing 10-15% of the players here to insure those who enter tournaments, do so with a firm intention on finishing what they start?
What say you all??
- Joined
- 18 Jan 07
- Moves
- 12477
@mchill saidIt's four digits full of fake on-line glory. Get over them, already.
When I was an ICCF player back in the 80's and 90's our American ICCF secretary was Max Zavanelli. "Max the Axe" as he was known instituted a policy of blacklisting American correspondence players that dropped out of tournaments for no good reason. Players that could show proof of hardship such as job loss, transfers to distant places to work or for medical reasons were given ...[text shortened]... enter tournaments, do so with a firm intention on finishing what they start?
What say you all??
@mchill saidYou have to be careful here.
When I was an ICCF player back in the 80's and 90's our American ICCF secretary was Max Zavanelli. "Max the Axe" as he was known instituted a policy of blacklisting American correspondence players that dropped out of tournaments for no good reason. Players that could show proof of hardship such as job loss, transfers to distant places to work or for medical reasons were given ...[text shortened]... enter tournaments, do so with a firm intention on finishing what they start?
What say you all??
I agree that there are players here that enter tournaments with no intention of completeing their games, usually for sandfbagging reasons(artificially lowering their rating)but they may resign because they can see no way forward or they're dissappointed with a mistake.For example, if a player loses his queen on move 9 through a silly error he may resign immediately disgusted at his own carelessness.
I can't see a way for the admin's to police what you suggest.