28 Apr '24 14:334 editsThis Memorial Day will mark the last OTB event for me (The Washington Open) at least for awhile, and it's been quite an experience to say the least.
I was an active OTB player in the Seattle area in the 80's and 90's but left for 3 decades for personal reasons. However last year I decided to end the drought and played in the Oregon Class championship. My 2/5 score in the 1400-1600 section was expected due to such a long layoff, however other experiences left me wondering if OTB was a good idea for me anymore. i.e.
I found my older self in my 60's sitting in a room with 85% school age kids. When the rounds finished, usually with me losing, I offered to analyze the games with them, they looked at me as if I were speaking another language and scampered off to play with their friends. 2 of them were quickly escorted out by their mothers who frowned and looked at me suspiciously as if I were a pervert or other undesirable.
The clock: I bought a new electronic clock for the event, but despite my internet search, I couldn't find instructions for how to set secondary time controls. When I asked the TD (whom I judged to be about 17) about this, he quickly snatched the clock from my hand and began flipping various buttons to set the clock correctly. I asked him if he could slow down and let me take notes so I could do this myself. visibly irritated, he simply said it was my responsibility to learn this. By round 5 he clearly dreaded to see me coming even though the education process would not have taken more than 2 min. I could find no other players willing to help me with this. (Gone is the comradery of decades past I guess) I was wondering about the possibility of having to hire a chess coach just to teach me how to program my clock!
The site: Our stay at the DoubleTree inn was comfortable. Clean rooms with good food and surroundings, however travel, lodging, and other related expenses topped $600.00. Some simple math told me 5-6 of these events a year would put a dent in my savings.
4 more events have come and gone since then, and things have improved. I've made a few new friends, am more comfortable with different time controls, and now can program my clock like a pro. I'm not bitter. In fact, I'm deeply thankful to live in an internet age where chess competition is no farther away than my notebook computer.
I'm back at Red Hot Pawn, have entered an Open Duel tournament and will spend some time deeply considering if OTB events are really for me anymore. 🤔
I was an active OTB player in the Seattle area in the 80's and 90's but left for 3 decades for personal reasons. However last year I decided to end the drought and played in the Oregon Class championship. My 2/5 score in the 1400-1600 section was expected due to such a long layoff, however other experiences left me wondering if OTB was a good idea for me anymore. i.e.
I found my older self in my 60's sitting in a room with 85% school age kids. When the rounds finished, usually with me losing, I offered to analyze the games with them, they looked at me as if I were speaking another language and scampered off to play with their friends. 2 of them were quickly escorted out by their mothers who frowned and looked at me suspiciously as if I were a pervert or other undesirable.
The clock: I bought a new electronic clock for the event, but despite my internet search, I couldn't find instructions for how to set secondary time controls. When I asked the TD (whom I judged to be about 17) about this, he quickly snatched the clock from my hand and began flipping various buttons to set the clock correctly. I asked him if he could slow down and let me take notes so I could do this myself. visibly irritated, he simply said it was my responsibility to learn this. By round 5 he clearly dreaded to see me coming even though the education process would not have taken more than 2 min. I could find no other players willing to help me with this. (Gone is the comradery of decades past I guess) I was wondering about the possibility of having to hire a chess coach just to teach me how to program my clock!
The site: Our stay at the DoubleTree inn was comfortable. Clean rooms with good food and surroundings, however travel, lodging, and other related expenses topped $600.00. Some simple math told me 5-6 of these events a year would put a dent in my savings.
4 more events have come and gone since then, and things have improved. I've made a few new friends, am more comfortable with different time controls, and now can program my clock like a pro. I'm not bitter. In fact, I'm deeply thankful to live in an internet age where chess competition is no farther away than my notebook computer.
I'm back at Red Hot Pawn, have entered an Open Duel tournament and will spend some time deeply considering if OTB events are really for me anymore. 🤔
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