Millionaire Chess 2!!

It happens to be we recognize here or not, some poeple are recognzing the money flow MC is bringing into chess as positive -

http://chessforallages.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-uscf-awards.html

Look at the last entry and the last name.

Regarless of my opinion of the MC Open concept, I'm glad to see Amy Lee get some recognition.  She didn't just pull the plug when it was obvious that MC#1 was going to lose money big time.  She deserves a lot of credit for insuring that the tournament was held and all prize money was paid.

Although ironically she only won the award due to the tournament being unsuccessful:

The Koltanowski Award (sometimes called the 'Koltanowski Medal') is made to an individual or organization offering outstanding financial support to U.S. chess

Had the tournament been successful and got as many participants as originally forecast, it would have been near enough self-funding and not require "outstanding financial support". I suspect Ms Lee may receive more of these awards if the tournament continues in years to come...

>> MC has not brought any money flow to chess.

Then who paid the million dollars to chess players last year? Please do some math or collect your facts first before you prentend to comment enthusiastiaclly.

Amy Lee at least has some integrity.  Unlike others who grab everything that they can and then blame the resulting mess on (the government, the liberals, the Democrats, whomever), she bit the bullet and adsorbed her loss.

Does this deserve an award from the USCF for financial support?  Probably not (it was the result of a poor business decision), but at least it was her money, not that of others.

I think when people are talking about money flow being positive in a situation like this, they would be referring to the money supporting the game of chess, not a few prize winners.

richie_and_oprah

My comment was made taking things at face value.  After 40 years in the corporate world, it's refreshing to occasionally see someone doing something that, at least publicly, appears to be ethical.

Note:  When I made the comment, the person at AIG who publicly cried that he deserved his bonus (after the government had bailed the company out) came to mind.

The old aphorisms never lose currency:

A fool and their money are soon parted.

So the USCF gives out a financial support award if you give Wesley So a hundred grand for beating...wait for it...Ray Robson.

When they cut Nakamura a fat check next year, is the same award on its way?

If anyone needed an example of why the USCF has no credibility, other than as an over-priced amateur ratings service, read no farther.

609 played last year in Las Vegas at the Riviera. Now moved to Westgate, formally Hilton. . The entry fee goes up tomorrow so more will come in tonight, and some at the gate. Event starts this Friday, and I will be there. I got in free, winning US Amateur West. I'm just gonna go have fun, play 3 morning rounds in the Open and relax in the evening....I would be in contention in the U2200 section, but my finances are fine, I don't need the prize money here, or at MC. As noted, I can afford the $2000 at the gate for MC, but I won't be playing. Spectating? Maybe, I have the time off...

Oh, those sections above are clickable to see the entry lists....

1. ray is a pretty good player.  2777 USCF is higher than anyone in the US except Hikaru, Caruana and So.  and these players are top 10 in the world and almost top 5.  plus ray has been at uni not playing overseas, despite this still having 2674 FIDE is quite good.  it's not very easy to get FIDE pts in the US, nearly impossible in the US, except at events like MC.

2. financial support award costs uscf nothing.  and it is logically warranted as the USCF does business with MC.

3.  rating costs... it is what it is.  25 cents per rated game is a bit much IMO but u do not not need to make events rated as a td... club... unless it is important enough to do so....

If Carlsen joins then is it an automatic win for Carlsen?

And? I don't understand. Isn't he the world champion...

Yes, and ?

The entry fee clock is tick.. tick.. ticking away! HURRY!!!

Last day/19 hours to register now before the price goes up another $250.

Number of participants:

499

It crossed the 500 mark now. 

This is interesting, Maurice acknowledges getting sponsors is near impossible, yet as long as Amy Lee will fund the event, he's trying:

https://millionairechess.com/newsletter-46-deadline-approaches

Made for TV

For months now, the Millionaire Chess team has been hard at work with our television broker, Sunset Lane Entertainment, to help craft and pitch the MC broadcast to various TV networks and production companies. Chess on TV would be a game changer as it would expose the MCO to hundreds of thousands or even millions of eyeballs around the country, thus attracting major sponsors eager to associate their brands with a game known for its many positive attributes including strategic vision, in-depth planning, and intelligent foresight. However, most network execs have not yet been convinced that there exists an audience in massive enough numbers that would want to watch chess the way they might watch Sunday Night Football or even The Real Housewives of Hollywood. It may be that a creative Internet broadcast strategy tapping into a world-wide fan base will be needed to match all the revenue and branding potential that a TV deal would, and there are certain outlets (ESPN.com, for example) that could execute such an idea. With conversations with IMG (International Management Group) and OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) in the works, MC will continue to push the idea that there is a sizeable group of chess aficionados who would love to see their favorite stars battling it out in bold and beautiful High Definition.

If I'm not mistaken, didn't ESPN try broadcasting chess back in the 90s? And wasn't the viewing audience pretty much nil?

Yeah, I absolutely love chess.  I'm on this site every single day, but chess is simply not a TV event.  I could maybe watch a series of blitz matches.  I don't know, I've never tried.  But, very few people (relative to other programming) are going to sit in front of their TV and watch a lengthy game of chess.