5.H Discussion of Saskatchewan Chess Federation motion regarding CYCC

[Aris Marghetis]

I think I would rather the CFC president or the CYCC organizer, more informally, hand out exemptions to the qualification system for some kids (as is currently allowable under the rules) on a case by case basis. This would be better than hard coding a "lower standard". For example, the CYCC organizer could exempt the six kids from Saskatchewan under the current rules, for example. It would be understood this is a temporary thing as they get their youth program back on its feet. I woud approve of this kind of informal exemption happening five years in a row, as long as the exemption had a good reason each time.

In the past, when the CYCC qualification system was being debated, It was constantly being brought up that Canada had "low standards" in how it was deciding who would play in championships and who it would send abroad. This system was brought in, in part, to raise that standard. The CYCC qualification system, with all its flaws, I have to admit, still had the benefit that it started bringing more junior players to locally organized events.

The optics of having to achieve a certain goal "to qualify" are the players had to achieve something before moving onto the next stage. I think that sense of "legitimacy" given to candidates, in other words, also served as a promotional tool...and that, down the road, can help organizers in Saskatchewan too.

I agree, and voted NO. And also, I don't believe that poll should have been posted by Vlad. It's out of process in multiple ways, and most replies here agree with Garvin.

[Lyle Craver]

I'm not supporting this as while I do understand the Saskatchewan situation can see the potential for abuse when the CYCC is held in a much larger province. For instance next time the event is held in Toronto and 30-40 kids turn up claiming entry under this motion. Even with the additional fee it would be less than for instance a major event like the Ontario Open much less the Canadian Open. I could see similar dodginess with the event held in Vancouver, Calgary or Edmonton all of which have up and coming juniors.

I'm all for helping SK, but am not convinced this is the way either via the original motion or the first clause alone.

[Pierre Dénommée]

Vlad makes good points about Saskatchewan.

That said the original intent of the whole CYCC cycle was that provincial YCCs help fund travel costs to the CYCC. (And any surpluses devoted to travel costs for WYCC - the whole point is that the CYCC / WYCC was supposed to be self-funding) This is particularly a big deal for BC and AB due to the higher transportation costs.

To me the provincial YCCs have no reason for existence if not to qualify players for the nationals. A system where irregardless of the outcome of the qualifying event one can buy one's way to the nationals is the antithesis of what the provincials are supposed to be about.

As such while I appreciate SK's concern I don't plan on supporting this.

I agree. If there are few players, grouping them with another province in a central location such as Lloydminster or Medecine Hat could be a solution if it is not inconvenient to the ACA.

[Vladimir Drkulec]

I would have preferred that each clause gets a separate vote. I don't like clause 3. All such fees currently go to the youth fund. I don't think a $40 fee is really necessary or appropriate for this situation. Fees for WYCC are designed to replace the funds lost by someone not attending CYCC. In this case, the fees lost are just $1.50 We have earned a great deal of good will in the last few years by not being just about the money we can extract from players. I would prefer that we keep up that momentum.

[Aris Marghetis]

I would have preferred that each clause gets a separate vote. I don't like clause 3. All such fees currently go to the youth fund. I don't think a $40 fee is really necessary or appropriate for this situation. Fees for WYCC are designed to replace the funds lost by someone not attending CYCC. In this case, the fees lost are just $1.50 We have earned a great deal of good will in the last few years by not being just about the money we can extract from players. I would prefer that we keep up that momentum.

I strongly agree that combining multiple clauses practically forces many to vote no.

[Pierre Dénommée]

Motion-
The Saskatchewan Chess Federation would like to submit a motion for the 2018 Spring Online Meeting:

1) Starting in 2019, every junior player from a province that hosts the CYCC is eligible to play in the CYCC provided he or she took part in a local CYCC qualification tournament for which the organizer had remitted the fees to the CFC (i.e., any child who played, regardless of the result achieved, will have the right to go to the CYCC).

I have learned from my former life as an organizer that local participation in a national event is essential in order to break even. My first impression is favourable to the motion.