Charles Simonyi recently paid $25,000,000 for 13 days in space. The 2007 US Championship has patron entry fees:
GM or 2600 USCF+ $3,000 entry fees
IM or 2500+ $5,000 ef
FM or 2400+ $10,000 ef
Life Master or 2300+ $15,000 ef
Dr. Eric Moskow is playing in Gausdal group A which include Magnus Carlsen, Portisch, Dreev and Krasenkow, etc.
How about $100,000 for a spot in Linares or Corus?
What do you think about this idea of raising money for chess events through patron fees?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Historically patrons have always played some role in chess – “Rice Gambit” tournaments for example. For them to play in actual rated tournament is harder to tolerate because they just aren’t competitive – Pro-Ams in Golf are there to make the sponsors happy but it isn’t the real tourney – why not do something like that – a short 1-2 day Pro-Sponsor G/30 or time handicapped tourney.
In this case Dr. Moskow may be an exception (didn’t he play for the US Chess League?) so while he is no GM, he’s certainly a strong player.
Yes, and the next step is to buy the titles directly..
Why bother paying to play for the norm if you can buy the title?
Imagine that if you pay enough you are guaranteed a place in the Olympic games…
Chess has always been about the good players fleecing the weak players of their money.
If it is about the money, it can’t be about the game…
I’m going to agree with 7:35 anonymous. There’s no harm in a pro-am. The chess community could stand a litte outreach, and so far the other messages seem to be furthering the arrogance that alienates us from sponsors in the first place.
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What do you think about this idea of raising money for chess events through patron fees?
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As D-Generation X says, I’ve got two words for ya.
No, not those two words. My two words are “Colonel Moreau”.
Okay, he didn’t buy his way in, but he’ll be the model for those who do.
depends on event…i dont thik its good for super GM events like linares or corus but may be good for other events..
The proposal itself is great. Though we must not allow this to grow into direct buying of the points by such “rich participants”. But the idea is very interesting.
The last comment really got my goat, I have been sufferiing losing to the best for an extended period of time, I have missed an im norm by .5 points twice. If I ever wanted to buy a norm its easy to do, the problem is I would hate myself. The only one that general is not impressed with me, mine and ours is in fact me. I think I will work for the title and you know what, it will come. age, uscf and all the other bs is just that, theirs no replacement for hard work, money just begets oppurtunityy, then its plain hard work