Dear Eric and friends,
As the organizer, I would like to present below my report from the 70th ICCF Jubilee World Champions, Elite A&B tournament (https://www.iccf.com/event?id=90496) directed by IA Wojciech Krzyżanowski (POL).
The participants of one of the strongest tournaments of all time (category 15, Rav=2606) were:
The tournament started on 15.03.2021 and finished on 31.12.2023 so it lasted 2 years, 9 months and 2 weeks.
Final results:
You’ll find detailed results, including additional tie-breaking, in the cross table below.
Six competitors – Aleš Borštnik, Aleksandr Dronov, Matthias Kribben, Arno Nickel, Vladimir Perevertkin, Nigel Robson – achieved the same result – 8 points out of 14 games, and the order was decided by tie-breaking.
But first, I need to remind you of an additional tie-breaking procedure:
If a tie persists after the standard tie-breaking procedures (single round robin event: number of wins, then Sonneborn-Berger, then direct encounter among tied players), then the order is decided by the lower rating (fixed or unfixed) at the end of the tournament. If the tie still remains, the order is determined by the lower rating (fixed or unfixed) in previous ranting lists until broken. If players are still tied after all relevant tie-breaking procedures have been used, the players will be considered equal.
This additional tie-breaking procedure was established by you several months before the start of the tournament and additionally placed under the tournament table.
After taking into account the tie-breaking, the winner of the tournament is Vladimir Perevertkin, in front of Aleš Borštnik and Nigel Robson.
I am kindly asking Manfred Frerichs, Qualifications Commissioner, to produce occasional medals and certificates for the top 3 players (tie-break applies) to be awarded at the ICCF Congress.
Correspondence tournaments last quite a long time, often several years, and players can expect various problems, such as personal or professional problems, long-term illness, death, or even disaster. However, it is always difficult to come to terms with any such situation.
It is particularly important in top-ranking tournaments like this one.
During the tournament, two players withdrew, the oldest Fritz Baumbach (disqualification for cheating) and the youngest Jan-Krzysztof Duda (time problems in connection with advancing to the strongest global OTB tournaments, difficult to predict at the time of registration; he expressed regret that he had to withdraw), which significantly disturbed the final results of the tournament. Because of this, many players are dissatisfied.
In addition, at the end of the tournament, on 07.12.2023, the 3-time world champion Aleksandr Dronov suddenly died.
Prizes:
The total prize fund for this combined event was planned in amount of 4 000 EUR – cash prizes of 2 000 EUR, 1 000 EUR, 600 EUR, and 400 EUR to be awarded to the top 4 players provided they obtain a positive result (>50%). In terms of prize money, it was stipulated that no ties will be used, instead players who score the same number of points will share the prize money equally.
It turned out that 6 players scored the same result – 8 points out of 14 games. These are Aleš Borštnik, Aleksandr Dronov, Matthias Kribben, Arno Nickel, Vladimir Perevertkin, Nigel Robson – each of them should receive € 666,67.
I am kindly asking Russell Sherwood, Finance Director, to contact the players in order to pay the financial rewards.
Qualifications:
The following special qualifications were available for this combined tournament (required result above 50%):
- top 3 players (tie-break applies) to qualify for the World Championship final.
The following players qualified: Vladimir Perevertkin, Aleš Borštnik and Nigel Robson.
However, I received a request from Arno Nickel that all players who shared 1st place in the tournament would qualify for the World Championship finals.
I wholeheartedly agree with this conclusion, because in practice these are two players from the top of the rating list (Arno Nickel & Matthias Kribben) who would certainly grace any tournament, including the final of the World Championships. They certainly won’t lower the average ranking 🙂
I am asking for positive consideration of this request at yours Eric, or WTD’s discretion, possibly EB’s or Congress’ discretion, if you deem it necessary.
I am kindly asking Uwe Staroske, WTD, and Gian-Maria Tani, TTC, to take into account qualifications obtained for the final of the World Championships.
ICCF norms:
GM norm achieved by 13 players: Tunc Hamarat, Matthias Kribben, Arno Nickel, Roman Chytilek, Jan Židů, Aleksandr Dronov, Vladimir Perevertkin, Andrey Kochemasov, Nigel Robson, Fabio Finocchiaro, David A. van der Hoeven, Marjan Šemrl, Aleš Borštnik.
I am kindly asking Manfred Frerichs, Qualifications Commissioner, to include the obtained norms in the players’ achievements, both in their profiles and in other GM norms lists.
I would like to thank all friends, especially the participants, and congratulate the medalists, wishing all of you all the best in the New Year 2024!
Best regards,
Mariusz Wojnar, TO