It has been worse. In 2007, I was qualified to play in the US Championship in Stillwater, Oklahoma (won by Alexander Shabalov), but elected not to play. It's true! They sere selling Patron Entry Fees. I don't remember the exact amount, but for $40-50,000 I could have entered. I could have come up with the money which means I was qualified!
The entry fee was a sliding scale based on rating and it was expensive even for GMs. As you can see from the final standings some of the players were only masters. (page 24)
Seeing that Kelly Cottrell competed in the US Championship, I couldn't see why Howard Stern couldn't compete as well?
ReplyDeleteIt has been worse. In 2007, I was qualified to play in the US Championship in Stillwater, Oklahoma (won by Alexander Shabalov), but elected not to play. It's true! They sere selling Patron Entry Fees. I don't remember the exact amount, but for $40-50,000 I could have entered. I could have come up with the money which means I was qualified!
ReplyDeleteAmazing,
ReplyDeleteDid anyone pay the Patron Entry Fee and played in the championship?
The entry fee was a sliding scale based on rating and it was expensive even for GMs. As you can see from the final standings some of the players were only masters. (page 24)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.uschess.org/index.php/March/Patron-Entry-Fees-in-US-Champs.html
http://uscf1-nyc1.aodhosting.com/CL-AND-CR-ALL/CL-ALL/2007/2007_08.pdf
http://www.chessninja.com/dailydirt/2007/05/2007-us-ch-begins.htm