Millionaire Chess 3

Just how in the world will $1000 entry fees promote chess for the average person? Will it attract new players? Create new sponsors? Attract more TV coverage?

Nonsense

It will only tarnish the reputation and chase the average Joe away from learning/playing the great game.

The advertising is only about winning money. It's the American Dream.

That I agree with for sure.

Shortly after the first MC was announced I was at dinner with two GM's and an IM elect.

I asked if any of them were considering attending. The IM elect said no although I don't recall why.

One of the GM's, rated mid 2500's said that he wasn't really interested.

The other one, rated just over 2500 said that he didn't think so and this was his reasoning:

For him the MC was a different type of proposition than a typical American tournament. First he would need to pay his own EF and hotel room. Typically he gets at least comp EF. Secondly, his chances of winning a reasonable prize weren't great since he would be an averageish player in that section.

So when you're getting resistance from the top of the food chain you've got a hard climb. So far that's how it's played out.

Can they be successful? Maybe. Have they been? No.

I wish them the best and I hope they make it work, but they're out of time for a slow learning curve.

If Ashley can find 1500 players willing to pay $1000 to enter, all the power to him. He can make as much $ as he wants. No matter to myself. Just let the buyer beware of the pitfalls. This high ground of he is doing it all for the betterment of chess/ taking it to the next level is easily seen through. What? The next level is $2000 entries and 2 Mill ? It's about the almighty dollar. Stop being hypocrites.

How long will this model last? And in the meantime, what damage will it have brought?

Damage? None. How long? Time will tell.

Damage... None? Might want to rethink that. I can think of quite a few reasons many new players would become discouraged .

I doubt it. Any player new to the game who played or will play in MC events can clearly afford it.

So no big deal.

Now, if every tournament suddenly came with a massive EF then yeah...damage. But they don't.

From the newsletter..First, the prize fund is now $510,000, 60% of which is guaranteed. This change came after much in-house deliberation about whether or not to wait until next year to do another event. Though no outside sponsorship could be secured, the team decided that it was best to maintain momentum and to take the opportunity to test a new formula. The data we garner from this year’s event will help to indicate what the strategy in future years will be.

Good luck and good chess to this year's guinea pigs ! Remember, it is only a testing ground for 2017, so don't expect that big mistakes will not occur.

Who writes this? Talking about future strategy? What message is being sent about this year's event? "Testing a new formula"? If I wanted to install confidence I'd sure as well be a little more positive.

"The data we garner from this year’s event will help to indicate what the strategy in future years will be."

Translation:  If enough people show up, we will go back to the $1,000,000 prize fund.  Just say it...

What does her homepage say about Amy Lee ?

Her motto is go big or go home.

Cutting entry fee and prize pool in half indicates the first step of one of the two; I'll let you guess which one.

The nike mentality.  

Ashley has had 2+ years to garner new outside sponsorship and has yet to be successful. Write it off as simply bad luck, next year will provide new oppertunities. Just maybe his model is not sustainable? Can't imagine that. Gotta be someone?

60% of a 510K prize fee guaranteed...thats 306K.

That's not much more than the World Open, which I think is guaranteeing about 250K.

It's JUST ANOTHER TOURNAMENT now, guys. Can we all go home now? Or does kingandmate have some more MC press releases he'd like to share?

You're about to compare MC with the best tournaments in the world, I think Ashley an Lee will be proud about it.

1. AmyLee says:

   October 28, 2015 at 4:44 pm

   So based on your suggestion, how are we going to be different from the World Open? Thanks for your kind words Chris.

Hire smart people ? What on earth for? When the CEO has all the answers, he'd be wasting his potential profits. Hire low, sell high ! It's the American Way.

I know I have been ragging on MC. I was willing to wait for an improved format before being critical. The biggest new concept, that MC announced as being exciting for all players, is the 2nd chanch entry. They have shown once again their true colors. They make chess into a three ring circus. A rebuy for a 2nd chanch to win money ?

Insults the intelligence of many.

Yep ..MCO is ALL about making a buck off the average player. I do wish no ill on the event, really do hate to see poor management discourage or upset players .