"Don't believe in money in amateur chess?" What's the World Open then...lol.
I'm hosting a "BLITZ STREAK CHALLENGE" with a cash prize + more! Free to join!
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Apr 15, 2019
0
#23
BlakeyBChess wrote:
"Don't believe in money in amateur chess?" What's the World Open then...lol.
Mine is minority opinion, that's for sure. But one that I hold ... Large prize funds being offered to amateur chess players is detrimental to the "spirit of chess". 99%+ of us are hobbyists, this recent phenomenon (30 years) of offering huge prize funds to non-professionals has had a negative effect in the long term, which should be that of promoting a life-long pastime for people to participate in and enjoy a board game. $ for amateurs has changed that, and not for the best. That's my viewpoint. Sound familiar to other sports, whereby amateurs are forbidden from accepting $ in order to keep their status?
There exists reasons behind this thinking, mainly to maintain the integrity of the sport for amateur players. The World Open and others, is about promoters making $ and has little to do with giving back to the the chess community. Give a thought to the present situation with "cheating", it's root causes and the overall effects. Participation has declined dramatically in OTB tournaments for amateurs from past years, despite the $ money being offered, or perhaps, most likely, because the $ being offered has encouraged a lack of integrity by it's participants. This problem is easily recognized - players simply decline to pay large sums to promoters with payouts going to but a very select few who often are compromising the system.
Can I join?
Apr 15, 2019
0
#25
NobleElevator wrote:
Can I join?
All members of chesspathways.com (free to join) are eligible by default. Just let me know when you achieve a qualifying streak!
this argument seems intense, I think I'll stay out of it.
Apr 15, 2019
0
#27
swordofdark wrote:
this argument seems intense, I think I'll stay out of it.
Don't let 'em get to you 
Apr 15, 2019
0
#28
Perhaps if the prize funds came from Sponsors, ones willing to promote chess with their vast resources, the story might be different. At least here in the U.S., major tournaments are supported almost entirely by entry fees. Participation is down, inflation is up, it's a cycle that's hard to break. High entry fees, travel and hotel costs are outside the average players budgets.
I am not opposed to the offering of small prizes, rewards, trophies etc. as being done in this promotion. I was a participant in the early days when OTB Tournaments 1st started offering substantial prize $. Have seen the resulting "lack of progress" (imo) in educating the masses, the educational system (although great efforts are underway) and the media regarding chess. Wesley So's interview was enlightening. Chess is very popular in the Philippines, for reasons he explains. I understand chess is far more popular in Europe and other places. Just very disappointed that in the U.S. this is not the case. I blame it on poor promotion that is driven by the $. But that is very typical here.
Apr 16, 2019
0
#29
Titled_Patzer wrote:
Perhaps if the prize funds came from Sponsors, ones willing to promote chess with their vast resources, the story might be different. At least here in the U.S., major tournaments are supported almost entirely by entry fees. Participation is down, inflation is up, it's a cycle that's hard to break. High entry fees, travel and hotel costs are outside the average players budgets.
I am not opposed to the offering of small prizes, rewards, trophies etc. as being done in this promotion. I was a participant in the early days when OTB Tournaments 1st started offering substantial prize $. Have seen the resulting "lack of progress" (imo) in educating the masses, the educational system (although great efforts are underway) and the media regarding chess. Wesley So's interview was enlightening. Chess is very popular in the Philippines, for reasons he explains. I understand chess is far more popular in Europe and other places. Just very disappointed that in the U.S. this is not the case. I blame it on poor promotion that is driven by the $. But that is very typical here.
I don't think the money is what drives the cheating - I've had 3 people caught cheating against me online just in the past week, for no money. Even if we eliminate the prizes, there's no way to host tournaments without travel and hotel costs unless everything is local.
Money is in everything, it's a fact of life, and it's not even a bad thing - monetary transactions benefit everyone (whenever I pay $X for some food, for instance - the food has an intrinsic worth to me of more than $X (otherwise I would choose to keep $X over the food), and an intrinsic worth of less than $X to the restaurant (otherwise they would choose to keep the food instead of giving it away for $X). Both parties agree to each and every transaction because both parties benefit. It doesn't "ruin chess" - every thriving hobby has lots of money flowing through it. That's the sign of a vibrant community - lots of people providing value to each other, and when value is provided, money is exchanged. That's essentially what money is - a record of who's providing value to whom.
Apr 16, 2019
0
#30
BlakeyBChess wrote:
Titled_Patzer wrote:
Perhaps if the prize funds came from Sponsors, ones willing to promote chess with their vast resources, the story might be different. At least here in the U.S., major tournaments are supported almost entirely by entry fees. Participation is down, inflation is up, it's a cycle that's hard to break. High entry fees, travel and hotel costs are outside the average players budgets.
I am not opposed to the offering of small prizes, rewards, trophies etc. as being done in this promotion. I was a participant in the early days when OTB Tournaments 1st started offering substantial prize $. Have seen the resulting "lack of progress" (imo) in educating the masses, the educational system (although great efforts are underway) and the media regarding chess. Wesley So's interview was enlightening. Chess is very popular in the Philippines, for reasons he explains. I understand chess is far more popular in Europe and other places. Just very disappointed that in the U.S. this is not the case. I blame it on poor promotion that is driven by the $. But that is very typical here.
I don't think the money is what drives the cheating - I've had 3 people caught cheating against me online just in the past week, for no money. Even if we eliminate the prizes, there's no way to host tournaments without travel and hotel costs unless everything is local.
Money is in everything, it's a fact of life, and it's not even a bad thing - monetary transactions benefit everyone (whenever I pay $X for some food, for instance - the food has an intrinsic worth to me of more than $X (otherwise I would choose to keep $X over the food), and an intrinsic worth of less than $X to the restaurant (otherwise they would choose to keep the food instead of giving it away for $X). Both parties agree to each and every transaction because both parties benefit. It doesn't "ruin chess" - every thriving hobby has lots of money flowing through it. That's the sign of a vibrant community - lots of people providing value to each other, and when value is provided, money is exchanged. That's essentially what money is - a record of who's providing value to whom.
Nice Explanation.
Apr 16, 2019
0
#31
arnavgm1758 wrote:
hello is rapid streak counted
Only blitz for this challenge, but maybe we'll do a rapid challenge later! Feel free to sign up (free) at chesspathways.com so you never miss out on a challenge!
$25 - just think of the possibilities...!
I could get rich!!(not)LOL
🇰🇷🥋🇰🇷🥋🇰🇷
Bzzt wrote:
$25 - just think of the possibilities...!
wait a minute. are you related to rooperi?
Apr 19, 2019
0
#38
ghost_of_pushwood wrote:
The only guy in all of South Africa with a portable generator!
There's gotta be more than one
Apr 19, 2019
0
#39
BlakeyBChess wrote:
ghost_of_pushwood wrote:
The only guy in all of South Africa with a portable generator!
There's gotta be more than one
Generators yes, guy no
Paid members? lol
How far have we fallen?