Apterous Summer Open

Andrew Feist · Post by **Andrew Feist** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 9:52 pm

As we were getting the league trials set up, there was some indication that some people would prefer one-off rating-restricted tournaments. With that in mind, I'll put myself forward to organize such an event.

The Event: The 2009 apterous Summer Open, U1200, U1000, and U800

When: Starting the first day of summer, Sunday June 21, and running for five weeks

Where: In your favorite web browser

Tournament Guidelines: This will be a five-round Swiss-style tournament in four flights. The top flight, the Open flight, will be open to anyone who wishes to participate. The other three flights will only be open to those whose ratings qualify them for it. The U1200 flight will only be open to those whose ratings are below 1200, the U1000 to those whose ratings are below 1000, and the U800 to those whose ratings are below 800. I will be regularly checking the "published" apterous rating list over the next two weeks and taking an average [EDIT: maximum] of those ratings to determine eligibility. (Note: If two consecutive divisions both have an odd number of players, I may "ask" someone to play up a division.)

Each round will be played over one week, running from 12:00:01 Sunday morning to 11:59:59 Saturday evening (UK time). Each round's pairings will be posted in the forum and you have the rest of the week to complete a best-of-three Standard 15 match and post the results in the forum. Pairings will be done Swiss-style, meaning that you will play other players with the same score as much as possible. Rankings will be done primarily on match points (1 point for winning the match, 0 if not), followed by game winning percentage, followed by points per game. The player with the best score after five rounds is the winner.

Absences: I've done Sunday--Saturday in the hopes that even if you take off a weekend, you can still get all your games in, since you'll only miss one day of each week, so I do not intend to give half-point byes. If you have extreme circumstances, let me know and we'll see what we can do. A match that is unplayed will earn 0 points for both players; a match that is unfinished for reasons outside the players' control will be scored at my discretion.

Entry fee: $0 (or in the UK, £0)

How to enter: Post in this thread or (better yet) send me a PM with who you are and what flight you intend to enter. For-sure registration will end 11:59:59pm June 19; after that, players will be added at convenience.

Questions? Comments? Vitriol? Post below please.

Note: If there is enough interest, I may run a concurrent "side" event of Summer Goat.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 9:57 pm

Andrew Feist wrote:I will be regularly checking the "published" apterous rating list over the next two weeks and taking an average of those ratings to determine eligibility.

The ratings already include averaging over time. You'd be better to either set a fixed date on which the ratings will be taken, or to take peak rating over some period of time.

Otherwise, sounds like a decent idea, so count me in.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:25 pm

Count me in please for the open flight.

Ian Dent · Post by **Ian Dent** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:28 pm

I'm in.

JimBentley · Post by **JimBentley** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:33 pm

Me too, please.

Junaid Mubeen · Post by **Junaid Mubeen** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:38 pm

Yes please.

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:39 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:
Andrew Feist wrote:I will be regularly checking the "published" apterous rating list over the next two weeks and taking an average of those ratings to determine eligibility.
The ratings already include averaging over time. You'd be better to either set a fixed date on which the ratings will be taken, or to take peak rating over some period of time.

Otherwise, sounds like a decent idea, so count me in.

You may need to clarify if players are automatically put in their appropriate divisions or if you can choose to 'play up' a division

Also what about prizes

Neil Zussman · Post by **Neil Zussman** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:41 pm

Me in also please. Annoyingly you've set the bar just below me, so I can't enter any of the restricted tourney's. So I'll have to make do with losing in the first round of the Open (again!

) If only I was worse...
Edit: I've actually just noticed that since it's not a knock-out I can't technically get knocked out in the first round, which is awesome

Ian Volante · Post by **Ian Volante** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:42 pm

In, although I probably need to lose a bit and drop below 1200...

Andrew Feist · Post by **Andrew Feist** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 11:04 pm

What Charlie says is true about time averaging. What I'm worried about are people near the line who tend to go back and forth a lot; I don't want them trying to throw games to get under. (Edit: Not that I believe anybody really would, but it's the principle of the thing.) I'll use peak rating instead (I've already got today's list, and I'll get more).

If you are U1200, you need to tell me what division you are going to play in, otherwise I will have to ask you. (Go ahead and edit your post and put it in there.)

As to prizes, our budget runs to basically nothing. Perhaps we can convince Charlie for an inventory item?

Daniel O'Dowd · Post by **Daniel O'Dowd** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 11:40 pm

Bung me in the U1200. Nice to see chess-related Apterousness =)

Marc Meakin · Post by **Marc Meakin** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 11:45 pm

Andrew Feist wrote:What Charlie says is true about time averaging. What I'm worried about are people near the line who tend to go back and forth a lot; I don't want them trying to throw games to get under. (Edit: Not that I believe anybody really would, but it's the principle of the thing.) I'll use peak rating instead (I've already got today's list, and I'll get more).

If you are U1200, you need to tell me what division you are going to play in, otherwise I will have to ask you. (Go ahead and edit your post and put it in there.)

As to prizes, our budget runs to basically nothing. Perhaps we can convince Charlie for an inventory item?

I was only kidding about actual prizes as there is no entry fee

On a slightly different matter how about a time handicapped tournament for all with times varying between 3 and 45 seconds depending on rating

It would be a great leveller

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 11:53 pm

Sure, count me in.

Henry Meier · Post by **Henry Meier** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 12:20 am

Count me in for the U1200 please

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 1:06 am

Pity, I'd like to have gone in for the U800 band, but will miss the whole of one week, and am only here for a very short time in two other weeks. Hope you'll run something similar after September, when I should manage five consecutive weeks.

Best of luck with the competition.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:09 am

I haven't actually read the OP because it's too long, but I assume this is some kind of competitiona and I see lots of my friends saying "I'm in", so I'm in too please

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:01 am

Put me in The Open too please

James Hall · Post by **James Hall** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:26 am

Stick me in the U1000 (if I'm still eligible - ever hopeful I can increase my rating a bit!)
(If I'm not eligible, then the U1200. If I'm not eligible for that then some other, better, player has hacked my account and played for me.)

Kai Laddiman · Post by **Kai Laddiman** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:20 pm

Please can I have a go? At trying to remember to play my games

Oliver Garner · Post by **Oliver Garner** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 3:33 pm

Put me down for (hopefully) the open section

Ian Volante · Post by **Ian Volante** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:27 pm

In seriousness, I'd like to play under-1200 simply because I actually want a vague chance of doing well!

Andrew Feist · Post by **Andrew Feist** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:44 am

The plan is to keep the field updates here. (Updated 9 June 0345.)

Currently registered in the open:
Kirk Bevins|1824
Junaid Mubeen|1733
Jon Corby|1693
Charlie Reams|1640
Dinos Sfyris|1549
Kai Laddiman|1549
Oliver Garner|1469
Ben Wilson|1422
Neil Zussman|1302
Jim Bentley|1284
Ian Volante|1211

Currently registered in the U1200:
Henry Meier|1082
Daniel O'Dowd|1032

Currently registered in the U1000:
Andrew Feist|943
James Hall|904

Currently registered in the U800:
<none>

Currently registered for an unknown division:
Ian Dent|665

The cutoffs were chosen looking at the player list to give not-quite-equal splits (more players in the lower groups who might be less active/likely to play). The first blush seems to indicate I didn't do that very well; on the other hand, registration's only been open for two days. If we get close to the end of registration and things are still lopsided, we may adjust cuts so that the lower groups don't look so sad. I'm hopeful we won't have to do that though; and certainly that decision won't be made for a little while.

Adam Dexter · Post by **Adam Dexter** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:36 am

Ian Dent wrote:I'm in.

Et moi, S'il vous plait

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:48 am

Stick me down Andrew - U1000.
Got a week holiday from July 24th but should be around anytime up til then.

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:18 pm

Andrew Feist wrote: Currently registered in the U800:
<none>

How frustrating. A competition I might have had a chance of winning, if I was to be around for the full time.

Paul Erdunast · Post by **Paul Erdunast** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 7:46 pm

Yep, I'm in

Please put me in the U1000 (If I am eligible when the ratings are averaged or whatever you are going to do to them), if not then please put me in the U1200.

Paul Erdunast · Post by **Paul Erdunast** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 7:50 pm

Argh, I may be away for a week or so in August, but when dates are known, then if it happens to be a Sunday-Saturday holiday and not a Wed-Tue one, then please strike me off. However as things stand, please keep me in

Andrew Feist · Post by **Andrew Feist** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 3:06 am

Matt Morrison wrote:Stick me down Andrew - U1000.
Got a week holiday from July 24th but should be around anytime up til then.

My database thinks your rating is 1003 (based on the list I downloaded Sunday). I've put you in the U1200 section.

Paul Erdunast wrote:Argh, I may be away for a week or so in August, but when dates are known, then if it happens to be a Sunday-Saturday holiday and not a Wed-Tue one, then please strike me off. However as things stand, please keep me in

It's a five-week tournament; it runs from June 21 through July 25, so you should feel free to make whatever August holiday plans you like.

Maxine Silkstone · Post by **Maxine Silkstone** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 5:15 am

Ok first dunce reporting in for the U800, looks like I'm winning so far!

I only ever look at the Apterous board, would not have known this was here if you hadn't said in chat, needs a topic on the Apterous board.

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 9:36 am

Andrew Feist wrote:
Matt Morrison wrote:Stick me down Andrew - U1000.
Got a week holiday from July 24th but should be around anytime up til then.
My database thinks your rating is 1003 (based on the list I downloaded Sunday). I've put you in the U1200 section.

I'd built up to about 1300 in the old ratings, after the change I went down to 1003 (which you obviously saw).
I'm now at 985 or something, and I very much doubt I'll be going back above 1000 as I've only played about two games in the last month or two.
I was hoping the Summer Open would give me some aptolove back as I'm not feeling it much at the moment. U1000, trust me!

Tyron Potts · Post by **Tyron Potts** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 12:08 pm

Sounds good - please add me to the U1200s.

tomrowell · Post by **tomrowell** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 12:17 pm

put me in the u1200 as well please

Ian Dent · Post by **Ian Dent** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 1:24 pm

Just to clarify. I am hoping to enter all of the tournaments.

Thanks.

Andrew Feist · Post by **Andrew Feist** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 3:00 pm

Ian Dent wrote:Just to clarify. I am hoping to enter all of the tournaments.

Thanks.

I suppose we can do that. It will cost you four times as much, though.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 3:26 pm

Andrew Feist wrote:
Ian Dent wrote:Just to clarify. I am hoping to enter all of the tournaments.

Thanks.
I suppose we can do that. It will cost you four times as much, though.

Seems a bit weird to let people enter multiple divisions. It would just make U1000 division into a regular tournament with 75% of the players banned. Your tournament though, so I won't complain if you want to run it that way.

Andrew Feist · Post by **Andrew Feist** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 3:46 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:
Andrew Feist wrote:
Ian Dent wrote:Just to clarify. I am hoping to enter all of the tournaments.

Thanks.
I suppose we can do that. It will cost you four times as much, though.
Seems a bit weird to let people enter multiple divisions. It would just make U1000 division into a regular tournament with 75% of the players banned. Your tournament though, so I won't complain if you want to run it that way.

Well, in a "normal" tournament you wouldn't be able to play all divisions because they're all at the same time and you can't be in >1 place at the same time. But the U800 people are eligible for all the divisions, and here we don't have that time-and-place restriction. It's playing up with a vengeance.... (I just have to rejigger my database now.)

Niall Seymour · Post by **Niall Seymour** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 4:01 pm

Can I enter U800 and U1000 please?

Jeffrey Burgin · Post by **Jeffrey Burgin** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 4:10 pm

Enter me for the U1200 please, and I'll probably have a crack at the Open as I'll have plenty of time on my hands after exam and fancy having a go at a bit of giant-killing.

JackHurst · Post by **JackHurst** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 4:11 pm

I'd like to enter please. My rank is floatign about the mid 1300's at the moment, so i suppose that would mean i should enter the open flight thingymajig. It will be nice to try and win the wooden spoon.

Aaron Higgs · Post by **Aaron Higgs** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 5:38 pm

Can I be in for U1200 and the Open (or the Open if I only can enter one)

Andy Wilson · Post by **Andy Wilson** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 11:51 pm

Sounds like a bit of craic. I'd like to enter the U1000 please. I like the idea of multiple entries. I'm not going to waste anyone's time by entering the open, but if you're still cool with this i'd definitely have a go at the sub 1200 too. Cheers. Let the trash talking begin!

Andrew Feist · Post by **Andrew Feist** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:10 am

Matt Bayfield · Post by **Matt Bayfield** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:42 am

Count me in please Andrew. Enter me the the U1200 if I'm eligible or the Open if I'm not.

(My current rating has gone up this morning to a personal best of 1199, so for now I will be "top seed" for the U1200. However, if I win my next standard game I'll presumably exceed 1200 and will end up as a whipping boy in the Open...)

Steve Rogers · Post by **Steve Rogers** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 12:21 pm

I'm in. U800 division please (unless I have an incredible dramatic ratings improvement over the next few days!!)

Ian Dent · Post by **Ian Dent** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 12:22 pm

U800 looks like a short tournament!

Matt Morrison · Post by **Matt Morrison** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 12:40 pm

I'm genuinely not trying to play under my rating Andrew. How about U1200 AND U1000, good by you?

Ian Dent · Post by **Ian Dent** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 1:41 pm

Numbers man, I've missed you on Apterous.

Liam Tiernan · Post by **Liam Tiernan** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:20 pm

You can add my name to the list for the u1000.

James Hurrell · Post by **James Hurrell** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 4:18 pm

Please put me down for the open.

Andrew Hulme · Post by **Andrew Hulme** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 4:26 pm

In please

Shaun Hegarty · Post by **Shaun Hegarty** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 6:19 pm

In please for the U1000 and U1200 groups.
This should be fun.

Matthew Green · Post by **Matthew Green** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 7:00 pm

I'll play. U1200 if I'm eligible.

Kai Laddiman · Post by **Kai Laddiman** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:12 pm

I reckon that U1400 would make more sense than U800.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:15 pm

It might be amusing to let bots enter...

Andrew Feist · Post by **Andrew Feist** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:27 pm

Kai Laddiman wrote:I reckon that U1400 would make more sense than U800.

Let's just say that the next time the cutoffs will be different.

Charlie Reams wrote:It might be amusing to let bots enter...

I had thought about putting a bot into the groups if there were an odd number of players, but then realized I would have to check whether everybody in that group had paid their money, so decided to put myself in as the odd person instead. (Of course I may still need a bot or two in U800....)

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 12:03 am

Andrew Feist wrote:I had thought about putting a bot into the groups if there were an odd number of players, but then realized I would have to check whether everybody in that group had paid their money, so decided to put myself in as the odd person instead. (Of course I may still need a bot or two in U800....)

I'd be more than happy to go in the U800 group if necessary to make it an even number, but only if I could play both rounds 4 and 5 on the evening of the final day of round 5, which I can see could be organisationally awkward for the delayed round 4 games. Alternatively, I'd be happy to concede round 4 games.

David O'Donnell · Post by **David O'Donnell** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 1:42 pm

I would like to enter the open section, please.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 1:51 pm

For future tournaments, you could just say there will be however many divisions and then split them along rating lines at the end. (That's what I'm planning for the next Aptobash, at least.)

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:25 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:For future tournaments, you could just say there will be however many divisions and then split them along rating lines at the end. (That's what I'm planning for the next Aptobash, at least.)

To be fair, Andrew's method has been used for many major Scrabble tournaments in the US for ages and it does work well there- however those tournaments in question do have 800-odd entrants.

peter lee · Post by **peter lee** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 3:45 pm

Hi I would like to enter the U1200 and the open if possible. Thanks Peter Lee