Problem: We just don’t have enough FIDE rated standard tournament games
Solution: as you know we already have a rapid event at The Clissold Arms in Muswell Hill twice a month. The rapid tournaments start at 10.30am and finish at 5pm. I have a separate and quiet room [“The Shed”] to play standard games alongside the rapid events.
You can now register for standard games here - https://form.jotform.com/62384663046964
So, I am considering adding a standard play section to each event, 60 minutes per player plus 30 seconds a move in a ladder / Grand Prix format. You play two FIDE and ECF rated games from 10.30am to 1.30pm, then a lunch break and then 2pm to 5pm. All the games from July through to the end of the year count for the Grand Prix, but there are no byes - you play, you accumulate points. Theoretically you could play 40+ rated games over the year! Games would be rated each month and new ratings appear on 1st of each month.
https://chesscircuit.substack.com/p/standard-fide-rated-games-at-muswell
WHEN? The first two dates are July 18th and then July 25th. I don’t currently have dates for August at Muswell Hill, but I have added two more dates now! but if this idea proves popular I would add some dates!
RULES: initially ONLY players who already have a standard FIDE rating are allowed to play. Players with no standard FIDE rating should try to obtain their rating at another event such as Imperial / London Chess League / East Midlands congresses.
PAIRINGS will be based on the latest FIDE ratings and you will play someone as close to your score and then rating as possible (not top vs bottom). Pairings will not be repeated unless this is forced by circumstance, and in that case colours will be reversed. The idea of this format is to evenly match players, and allow players to work their way up the ladder in order to meet stronger players on merit.
The cost would be £30.00 for two games. All games played count towards a Grand Prix. All ENGLAND registered players would have to be Gold or Platinum. Other players should be pre-registered at ratings.fide.com with FIDE numbers through their own nations, e.g. FRANCE or SCOTLAND.
You would register via the usual entry page -
https://muswellhillchess.blogspot.com/
Let me know what you think!
Adam Raoof (IA)
