Mr Parker on chess

Here I go again another chess blog. I formerly wrote blog of a chess nut and I admit I was rather lack luster in the completion of my posts. And I'm not so much of a chess nut anymore. I think i'd prefer to comment on tournaments rather than play in them!

The first post in this blog I intend to discuss the state of world chess.

In the past few years the world has lost some great tournaments.

The Amber rapid and Blindfold tournament is gone. which I think was a great tournament seeing the great quality of games that the grandmasters played while not even looking at the board.

And according to chessvibes Linares will not be played this year. This will be the first year since 1996 that the tournament did not run.

Due to the Candidates matches the Mtel Masters look lik they might drop off the calendar this year as well.

Bottom line, I think, the Chess world, as well as a lot of other facets of life has come on hard times with the flow on of the world financial crisis.

This may be applying in Australia as well.

The Sydney International Open and Challengers is in need of more entries. Currently with 42 entries in the open division and 21 players in the minor (which currently 10 players are from Parramatta Chess Club)

Admittedly this year's edition of the Sydney International Open is a bit of a pain. It is not currently in the School or University holidays. But come on Sydney! get behind your international tournament. Take 3 annual leave days from work and play the Sydney International Open or challengers. Parramatta Chess club is holding up their end what about other clubs?

WHERE'S THE SUPPORT SYDNEY?

As the old saying goes....You dont know what you got until its gone.

I myself am not playing...... I'll be assisting with the tournament. Hope to see anyone who reads this there.

SIO/SIC website