tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27359163.post833308765425057839..comments2024-02-13T12:55:06.784+01:00Comments on Chess for All Ages: An Empty Arena?Mark Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10101044127493771263noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27359163.post-46043839342274357442014-04-04T05:24:48.260+02:002014-04-04T05:24:48.260+02:00The topic screams for commentary, but at the time ...The topic screams for commentary, but at the time I wrote it I couldn't get my thoughts in order. I'll try again.<br /><br />First, the 'key question' posed by EE isn't clear. Are they asking why K-M bid on an event where the local population has little interest? Or are they asking why there is so little interest in general? Or something else?<br /><br />Second, FIDE claimed that 'tournament 2014 is improving last year's London numbers'. Since there is no reason to dispute this claim, it's a positive sign for chess.<br /><br />There is a fundamental disconnect here: other than website traffic, the group sponsoring the event reaps no obvious benefit for their sponsorship. In other words there is no obvious connection between the sponorship funds and the event. The funds could come from anywhere, the event could be played anywhere, and the website traffic would be the same. - MarkMark Weekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10101044127493771263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27359163.post-75917417833495725472014-04-01T20:50:39.595+02:002014-04-01T20:50:39.595+02:00Well Khanty-Mansiysk is hardly the most exotic of ...Well Khanty-Mansiysk is hardly the most exotic of places for starters. The Russian press aren't interested as their boys make up half the field and the stronger half at that, so it was merely a means of selecting the next Russian hope to meet Carlsen. The Indian press were not really expecting anything from Anand so didn't really show. As for the European press their man is World Champion so not really that interested.Mamedyarov, Topalov and Aronian didn't seem to inspire their national chess press to make the journey on that occasion maybe they thought that it was in the bag for Russia. Also the elephant in the room is the political issues surrounding Russia, a boycott by default could also been at play.Co-Founder Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00839850070276159064noreply@blogger.com