Chess in USA vs Chess in Europe
Sort:
Hey Leo , I am retired now so it helps ofcourse. However, a popular format here is to play one round a day in the evenings, so that people who work can also play. In Europe people tend to get at least 4 weeks vacation every year also, which means they can play such events. The only one round a day event I was aware of in the USA was the US Open, which is usually 2 weeks of chess. I was never able to play in that due to other obligations ofcourse. The usual # of rounds for such tournies here is 8 or 9 rounds. A few might have 7 with a few having more than 9. I probably average 2 or 3 such events a year now but also play a lot in Lisbon where they often have one round a night on say mon, wed, and fri evenings.....a tourney like this takes 3 weeks to complete! I played more than 200 games this past year including all the team events and rapid chess I play.
Rob,
Sounds like you have the life, brother!
Yes Leo , I do! It helps to be retired ofcourse and married to a fellow chess fanatic! In fact she is often the one pushing me to go play! 
Oct 27, 2007
0
#25
KingLeopold wrote:
Actually, if you read my post carefully, I'm not talking just about scholastic chess. At the chess emporium which is a chess center in the US, we hold both scholastic and adult events on and off site. I don't know what it is like back east for most small local tournaments, but the adult events I play, American Open, National Open, Western States Open all suppy boards and sets, & notation sheets. All one has to bring is a clock if you have one and a pen/pencil.
Now I have a few questions for you: What would a carpnter be without his hammer? Of course he has a hammer as he has the tools in which to get the work done. Then why would a chess player be any different? He should have the tools of his craft, score pad, pens pencils, board & set. Other wise he is not a chess player, rather he is someone who just plays at chess and has no room to talk.
Please don't tell me you don't own your own board and set never-the-less your own chess clock. How could you play chess with out your own set? Do you rely upon others to provide everything for you? If you do then why don't you apply to your government to supply you with your needs? Tell them that you are a chess player and that they should supply you with a board, set, clock etc. I am sure you are entitled to it.
Who is the "you" to whom you are addressing your questions?
I DID read your post carefully, hence my reply. However, in your post you seem to be putting more emphasis on your club sponsoring scholastic events and the costs related to such.
Perhaps having sets provided is common in a couple of western U.S. tournaments, but the big tournaments (usually organized by Goichberg) do not provide sets or anything other than score sheets.
I can ony speak from personal experience. I did not play any scholastic chess as I didnt start playing rated chess until I was 20. I played from 1973-1997 only in the US Southeast. In all the events I ever played until about 1991 the players had to furnish everything themselves except for the table and playing venue itself. The Atlanta chess center opened in the early 90s and then I did go to some events there where the center furnished most of the sets/boards/clocks, etc. However, I would say that I had to take my own chess stuff to more than 95% of all the events I played in from 1973-1997 in the Southeast USA. I think the point of the thread has been lost : which is simply the differences between US chess and European chess. I have yet to play any European chess event in which I had to take my own set, board or clock or even score sheets. I do usually take my own pen as when they are provided they usually arent very reliable.
Today is round 7 in Figueira da Foz and yesterday I was reminded of one of the big differences between US and European chess tournaments. Rounds 5 and 6 were both played the same day and it was very tiring for me, but I am 54. I think 2 rounds a day for one in their 20s isnt so hard/tiring. The one round a day format is much better for me and has spoiled me to the point I dont think I could go back to the weekend swiss format I grew up on in the US . When I first started playing in the US the 5 round weekend swiss used to be 3 rounds on Sat and 2 on Sun. However, they often play round one on fri night now leaving 2 games for Sat and 2 for Sun.
Another big difference is in the strength of the players I face here. In the US , I played maybe 5 GMs in 24 years , while here I often play 3 or 4 GMs in one event ! In one event I played 6 titled players in 9 rounds: 4 IMs, 1FM and 1 GM and this was a rapid event. G/20
Aug 8, 2009
0
#29
Reb wrote:
Another big difference is in the strength of the players I face here. In the US , I played maybe 5 GMs in 24 years , while here I often play 3 or 4 GMs in one event ! In one event I played 6 titled players in 9 rounds: 4 IMs, 1FM and 1 GM and this was a rapid event. G/20
Your a lucky man Reb, I played a few Experts in my time including GM Henley way back in 1974 (when he was an only and Expert rated player on his way to Europe) when he was 1974 Texas scholastic Champion, we ended playing in the last round and ended in draw and 4 way tie for the 1974 San Antonio Open! A month earlier I also played in his home town in Houston in the 4th round and had a "chaos end game" going; and so it was a adjourn and they (Experts) could NOT find a clear win for Ron, so they basically said your an 1800 player playing an Expert he wins (as you will likely blunder 
- in those days I love those kind of game and still do) and we on to a the last round. I was not a happy camper! No unfortunately no longer have that score sheet from that Houston game with Henley, but maybe he does. In 1973 I was the San Antonio Scholastic Champion, but unfortunately I did not travel "by bus" to the 1973 Texas Scholastic Championships that year.
As it turn out I played Henley one more time before he became a GM in the 1st round of 1975 Southwest open (it was a big surprise for me) and needless to say game was over in quick order. Much later I heard he was GM and later one of WCC Karpov's seconds!
So yes going to Europe can make a difference to getting more exposure to higher rated players as FIDE rules require more then one countries players to hold a tournament. Thus less FIDE tournament in the USA, especially in small chess communities. if you see Ron asked abut that game in Houston with me, being we were both Texans he may remember that little old game he was given a win by default!
Yes I can use forums too!
Most people I know have to work and cannot take a week off to play one round a day chess unless of course they are a professional chess player. I have to ask, as a National Master, how many of these tournaments do play each year in Europe and what is the average number of rounds?
With the weekend tournament format 5-6 rounds in 2-3 days I can play almost every weekend here in the states. At the club I belong (which is free membership),we hold rated 4 round tournaments (game/30) every Friday night and Sunday afternoon. If you like slower play, then you can play in a monthly tournament, one game every Tuesday night (45/2 SD/1). The entry fee is $35-40 depending on the tournament with 70% cash payout on the average.
I get to play a lot of chess!