FEWER PROBLEM COMPOSING CONTESTS?

[Bill Salot]

Friends,

Several have suggested that the “Unofficial World Championship Checker Problem Composing Contests” be held less frequently. The current monthly pace can be a burden on judges, composers, publishers and others.

I would appreciate opinions on a proposal to conduct them bi-monthly. Possible benefits include:

1. A little extra time might result in more judges voting.

2. It might make it practical for computerless players to vote by ordinary mail.

3. Bi-monthly publications would be better able to provide complete coverage.

4. Monthly publications could publish contests and results in alternating months.

5. The overall quality and competitiveness of the problems selected might improve.

Possible downsides include:

1. It would decrease opportunities for prolific composers to compete.

2. Current contests may grow stale before new contests replace them.

Should I make the change?

[George Hay]

Bill, I have been thinking along the lines of shorter contests with fewer
problems per contest. Maybe having two weeks to vote and a maximum
of four problems per contest. Having a monthly contest would still work out.
--George Hay

[JohnAcker]

Thematic contests might help as well. Sometimes it's hard to choose between several dissimilar problems, as they're all potentially useful.

[Chexhero]

Bill,

1. I would say, do a problem solving contest every 2 months instead of every month. Have each contest last about 2 weeks.

2. I think John has a good idea of having thematic contests. For example, for one period there could be a best shot problem contest. Or for another period there could be a contest for best problem 4 pieces or less. I like to add, I think there would be a lot more prestige for the winner in this case because they beat out all problems of a similar type. In the contests now people can favor a certain problem because of its type, so it can be a bit biased.

3. I think 4 to 6 entries should be enough for the voters to handle.

Hope this helps

[Bill Salot]

Thank you so much, George, John, and Joe. I have also received several comments off-line.

I am compiling the ideas and hoping to receive more before responding or committing. I do want to satisfy as many as possible.

Could I get some opinions on limits for the number of problems per contest and what would be the best contest "themes"?

[JohnAcker]

I think four problems would work well for a thematic contest. Ben Boland does an excellent job grouping positions into themes, so his books might be a starting point for some organization ideas. Of course, more complex problems will often end up in simpler ideas, but there are still several ways to show something like "preventing First Position" or "holding two men in the single corner."

[Bill Salot]

Colleagues:

Here is a summary of helpful suggestions that I received both on line and off line:

1. Intervals between contest starting times:
• 1 month, assuming shorter voting time and fewer problems per contest (George Hay)
• More than a month to allow judges more time (J. R. Smith)
• 2 months, to synchronize with the ACFB (John Acker, Chexhero)
• 4 months, for leisurely pace and to allow voting by snail mail (Jim Loy)

2. Voting time allotted per contest:
• 2 weeks (George Hay, Chexhero)
• More than the current period of one month (J. R. Smith)
• The contest interval minus15 days, to meet publication deadlines (Jim Loy)

3. Number of problems per contest:
• 4 max (George Hay, John Acker)
• 4 to 6 (Chexhero)
• 6 to 8 (Jim Loy)

4. Contest themes:
• Shot problems (Chexhero)
• 4 pieces per side or less (Chexhero)
• Any of Boland’s Themes (John Acker)

Does anyone have anything to add?

[Bill Salot]

Thanks for the continuing feedback, which I have updated as follows:

SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE PROBLEM-COMPOSING CONTESTS

1. Intervals between contest starting times:
• 1 month, assuming shorter voting time and fewer problems per contest (George Hay)
• More than a month to allow judges more time (J. R. Smith)
• 2 months, to synchronize with the ACFB and give Louis more time to compose (John Acker, Chexhero, Roy Little, Louis Cowie)
• 4 months, for leisurely pace and to allow voting by snail mail (Jim Loy)
• Whatever promotes the game in general and problems in particular (Ed Atkinson)

2. Voting time allotted per contest:
• 2 weeks (George Hay, Chexhero)
• More than a month (J. R. Smith)
• 40 days (Louis Cowie)
• The contest interval minus15 days, to meet publication deadlines (Jim Loy, Roy Little)

3. Number of problems per contest:
• 4 max (George Hay, John Acker, Louis Cowie)
• 4 to 6 (Chexhero, Roy Little)
• 6 to 8 (Jim Loy)

4. Contest themes:
• Shot problems (Chexhero)
• 4 pieces per side or less (Chexhero)
• Any of Boland’s Themes (John Acker, Louis Cowie)
• Anything less than 13 pieces per side (Roy Little)

I will respond to each item separately as soon as the current tournament chatter lightens up.