Chess players unhappy with changes in rules
ANUPAMA BAGRITNN
MUMBAI, December 24: The All India Chess Federation (AICF) may have decided to change the format of National A championship and make Elo rating the criteria for an Olympiad berth, but the players’ body is not happy with the twin decisions. “We were not consulted before these decisions were announced. We are not happy with these changes and have informed AICF president (N Srinivasan) and secretary (D V Sundar) about it. We have also sought a meeting with the officials,” a Chess Players Association of India (CPAI) member told TOI on Monday.
In fact, in an email addressed to Srinivasan which is posted on the CPAI website, the players’ body has asked the Federation to revert to the old Swiss League format for National A instead of the proposed all-play-all format. The CPAI is also not happy with the National A being made a closed tournament of 14 players with only 11 qualifiers from National B.
“We agree that only the best players should take part in the Olympiad, but if rating is what they are looking at, then why change the National A format? Because many higher-rated players don’t compete in National A and on the flip side, the winner might not feature in the top-five in the rating list,” the CPAI member said.
When contacted AICF secretary DV Sundar said: “I’m not aware that the players are unhappy with the changes.”
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The new system is better.