Kentucky Chess Association

                

                         USCF Affiliate

The Louisville Open in 2005 and 2006 had 93 and 87 participants respectively.  I know the prize money for 2010 is based on 150 participants.  Do we have any idea what kind of turnout that there might be locally for this tournament?  I'm starting to hear some talk about some players attending, but haven't seen any mention of it on this message board.

I also notice that Continental Chess has not posted a tournament date for a 2011 Louisville Open yet even though he has scheduled some tournaments out as far as 2013.  I'm guessing that he's waiting to see what kind of turn out that there is this year.

Any thoughts?

I received a post card in the mail with all the details, as I'm sure many others did.  The dates are listed on the tournament page under the month of September (3 day 9/24-26, 2 day 9/25-26), just not the details.  You can get all the information on the tournament at continentalchess.com.  Several Kentucky players, including Drew and I, were at the Indianapolis Open this past weekend.  The floor TD told me they had 221 players which met their requirement for the full pay out of prize monies.

We really need to talk up the Louisville Open and get as many players as possible so that we can keep it going as an annual event.:P

Who is running the kca facebook page?

Steps:

1. Friend everyone that plays in surrounding states. Use the MSA on USCF and then look up to see if they have a facebook page.

2. Use the  facebook link under the blog posting to share with everyone.

3. It cost nothing and it has the advantage over mail because you can share it with your friends!

I have been talking up the Louisville Open campaign as of late. One stat that I wanted to add to Mike's own were that the number of Ky players dropped from 2005 to 2006. I plan to change that. I've printed out 35 flyers from chesstour.com and plan on passing them out at the Monday night tournaments. If Johnny Owens plays in anymore Thursday tourneys I'll send some with him as well. I really think that if we can get 50 to 60 local players there than Indiana, Tennessee, and Ohio will take care of the rest. I've also heard that there is some contingent from Wisconsin that might be attending, but don't quote me on that.

Good point .  Kentucky turn out dropped by 12 in from 2005 to 2006.  On the other hand, the Ohio turn out increased by 12. 

Got another e-mail today from the CCA with information on the Louisville Open.  I definitely wouldn't worry about them canceling due to low numbers since they usually don't know how many to expect until, at best, a few days before the tournament.  They have pretty favorable cutoff dates for early entry making it difficult to predict numbers.  Plus, they don't have a reputation of canceling scheduled tournaments.  It is more likely that they wouldn't reschedule for next year if the numbers were too low.

Just because they aren't marketing on the KCA website doesn't mean there is a problem.  They have their own means of marketing: Chess Life, direct mail, e-mail, their website, etc.  They are professionals that know what they are doing and probably don't get too involved with local clubs or state associations for good reasons.  Over the years, in other locations, they have probably had to deal with situations such as, "We helped you get players, so now allow us to tell you how we do things around here."  Or better yet, "Heck, we got a lot of the players this time, so why don't we just run our own next time?"   

We should all do what we can to "talk up" the Louisville Open and avoid panicing that they have not posted the details on the KCA website.   Below are the highlights of the e-mail I received, today.  More information can be obtained at chesstour.com: 

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Continental Chess Bulletin

Aug 28, 2010

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3rd annual LOUISVILLE OPEN

5 rounds, September 24-26 or 25-26, 2010

Holiday Inn Southwest Fair Expo- free parking, free airport shuttle

CCA returns to Kentucky for our first tournament since 2006! Our new site, Holiday Inn Southwest Fair Expo, is near the Kentucky Fair Expo Center, Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs, Cardinal Stadium, and the University of Louisville. Greatly reduced special chess rates: $79 single, $89 twin (regular rate this weekend is $105). Indoor pool. Reserve no later than Sept 10, and preferably earlier, to insure these special rates.

$10,000 PROJECTED PRIZE FUND, $7,000 MINIMUM GUARANTEED

In 6 sections, with prizes $10,000 based on 150 paid entries:

Open: $1200-600-300-200, clear/tiebreak 1st $100, top U2200/unr $800-400.

Under 2000: $800-400-200-100.

Under 1800: $800-400-200-100.

Under 1600: $700-400-200-100.

Under 1400: $600-400-200-100.

Under 1100: $300-200-120-80, trophies to top 5 & others.

Choice of 3-day or 2-day schedule. Both merge and play for same prizes.

Here is information on the Louisville Open taken from chesstour.com:

CCA returns to Kentucky after four year absence!

3rd annual

LOUISVILLE OPEN

Sept 24-26 or 25-26, 2010

$10,000 PROJECTED PRIZES, $7000 MINIMUM GUARANTEED!

5 rounds, 40/2, SD/1 (2-day option, rds 1-2 G/75). Under 1100 Section plays 2 days only, Sept 25-26, all G/75.

At Holiday Inn Southwest Fair Expo, 4110 Dixie Hwy, (I-264, Exit 8B), Louisville KY 40216. Free parking, free airport shuttle.

Prizes $10,000 based on 150 paid entries (Under 1100, unrated, & re-entries count as half entries), $7000 (minimum 70% each prize) guaranteed. ChessLecture.com Grand Prix Points: 40 (enhanced). In 6 sections.

Open Section: $1200-600-300-200, clear win or first on tiebreak $100, top U2200 $800-400. FIDE rated.

Under 2000 Section: $800-400-200-100.

Under 1800 Section: $800-400-200-100.

Under 1600 Section: $700-400-200-100.

Under 1400 Section: $600-400-200-100.

Under 1100 Section: $300-200-120-80, trophies to top 5, 1st 600-799, Under 600, Unrated.

Unrated prize limits: U1100 $80, U1400 $160, U1600 $240, U1800 $320 B, U2000 $400. Balance goes to next player(s) in line.

Top 5 sections entry fee: 3-day $88, 2-day $87 mailed by 9/16, all $89 online at chesstour.com by 9/22, $90 phoned to 406-896-2038 by 9/22 (entry only, no questions), $100 at site. No checks at site, credit cards OK.

Entry fee for all in U1100 Section and unrated in U1400 Section: all $40 less.

All: GMs free, $60 deducted from prize. Special 1 year USCF dues with Chess Life if paid with entry- online at chesstour.com, Adult $30, Young Adult $20. Mailed, phoned or at site, Adult $40, Young Adult $30. Re-entry $50; not available in Master Section. Unofficial uschess.org ratings usually used if otherwise unrated.

3-day schedule: Reg. ends Fri 6:30 pm, rds. Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 am & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 4:15 pm.

2-day schedule: Reg. ends Sat 10:30 am, rds. Sat 11 am, 2:30 pm & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 4:15 pm.

Under 1100 schedule: Reg. ends Sat. 10:30 am, rds. Sat. 11 am, 2:30 pm & 6 pm, Sun 10 am & 1:30 pm.

Half point byes: OK all rounds, Open must commit before rd 2, others before rd 3.

Hotel rates: $79-89, 502-448-2020, ask for chess rate, reserve by 9/10 or rate may increase.

Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633.

Bring set, board, clock if possible- none supplied.

Entry: Continental Chess, Box 249, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. $15 service charge for refunds. Questions: chesstour.com, 845-496-9658. Advance entries posted at chesstour.com. Chess Magnet School Junior Grand Prix Points available.