After my last weiqi tournament, I have a few requests for any Tournament Director (TD). (Note: These are more to myself in the hopes that St. Louis will eventually have a large enough community to run its own tournament).
- Maintain an active – “Playing” / “Not Playing” list. In Chicago, after every game the tournament director would have to look up and make an adhoc pairing for the next game. This could be alleviated by setting up table numbers. After a player finishes a game (assuming he is ready to continue and stays on the “Playing” list) he would be assigned a table. The next rank-appropriate opponent who is available would be sent to that table as well, where her opponent would be waiting.
- Set aside a lunch break time. Part of the reason for this trip was to meet other Go players. Here in St. Louis, the community has withered to a virtual non-existence. Sure, there are more than enough players to be found on KGS or IGS, but the Internet does not fulfill that social aspect that I enjoy so much.
In the immediate area around the University of Missouri – St. Louis campus, there are a plethora of eating establishments that could accommodate “x” number of out-of-town’ers. Or, worst case scenario, we order pizza and soda (or Chinese food, I’m flexible) and have it brought to whatever location we’re playing. Either way, a time should be set a part for lunch rather than just having players go and pick up their food between breaks.
There’s so little about French culture I’ll admit to be jealous of, but they absolutely have it right that meals are meant to be social gatherings. Our tournaments and Go-playing community should reflect this.
- Couchsurfing mentality. For those new to the Couchsurfing concept, here’s a brief rundown (I beg the indulgance of those who are already familiar): You’re traveling to Chicago (on as small a budget as possible), but you know no one up there and have no idea of what to see. So, logging onto the Couchsurfing website, you first see if there is anyone with a couch you can bum for a few nights. Barring that, you see if anyone’s available to show you around the town.While great for general visits, when going to an event (any event) and this shouldn’t be necessary. During the initial planning stages of a tourney, take a list of names of who’s available to put someone up for the night before and the night of the tournament (and if they’re so willing, how many people they can take in). Then, on a first come, first serve basis, start filing requests.
Let me make this clear: I understand this isn’t the Go Congress. However, the suggestions listed above add no cost to an event and don’t have to involve a lot of planning. Also, I’ve never run a tournament, so I’m perfectly willing to accept that I have no idea of the logistics involved with such suggestions. However, the games played at a tournament are only one part of that tournament experience.
See you at the next open board.
