tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556305125957341024.post1623932362088779155..comments2024-02-22T13:53:00.516-05:00Comments on Elizabeth Spiegel's blog: Going to Texas....Elizabeth Vicaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880561980096775673noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8556305125957341024.post-70528582432238219412007-12-05T09:24:00.000-05:002007-12-05T09:24:00.000-05:00Lizzy:Good luck in Houston with your kids. I was a...Lizzy:<BR/><BR/>Good luck in Houston with your kids. I was at this event back in 2005 and thought it was one of the best run USCF events I had ever been to. I will not be there this time around as my son has opted to play in an open tourney in Madison Wisconsin. <BR/><BR/>Below are a couple of excerpts from a blog entry of 2 years ago about the event. <BR/><BR/><BR/>** Organization and Logistics – Although there may have been a few glitches along the way, this was one of the best organized scholastic tournaments I have ever attended. The venue and setting were ideal. <BR/><BR/>** USCF Staff – In my dealings with USCF staff, absent was some of the condescension and arrogance that I have experienced at past events. Newer players on the scene like Executive Director Bill Hall, Scholastic Director Jerry Nash and Event Director Diane Reese are heading in the right direction. They and many others should be applauded for their efforts and results in Houston. <BR/><BR/>Here is a link to my complete entry: <BR/> <BR/>http://chessdad64.journalspace.com/?entryid=151<BR/><BR/><BR/>Also note, Chicago based NTD Glenn Panner will be TD'ing at this year'r event. See<BR/><BR/>http://pannerchess.blogspot.com/2007/12/tis-season-for-sportsmanship.html<BR/><BR/>Just a couple of questions to ponder:<BR/><BR/>1) In 2005, there were 1575 participants for this event. Right now advanced entries are only at 1306. I find this surprising. Why do you think this is. <BR/><BR/>2) Increasingly, young Texans are domininating the Top 100 lists across the age groups. Why do you think this is? Is there ratings inflation going on here? Is it real or is it memorex? <BR/><BR/>Have fun in H-town and I look forward to your reports. <BR/><BR/>bradAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com