From: Larry Kaufman <lkaufman <at> WIZARD <dot> NET>
Date: 25 may 2000
Subject: Re: Swiss or Knockout

At 09:49 PM 5/25/00 +0200, you wrote:
>On 00/05/25 at 14:27 -0400, Larry Kaufman wrote:
>
>>If the Swiss system is adopted in future events, it will be necessary
>>to find a way to combine it with the chance to play the Pros.
>>
>It would depend on players' preference, I think. Maybe most players
>would find it acceptable to play against a pro in a simultaneous,
>which is altogether separate from the "regular" event.
>
     It would have to be the same for all players; either pro games count
for everyone or for no one.  I would prefer the former.  The Pro-Am event
worked so well, and shows that such games can be just as serious as
tournament games.

>Traditionally, in Europe the Swiss system has been employed, and the
>two items of criticism, I have heard are that the winner may be known
>before the last round or conversely that using tie-breakers or a
>play-off may be  necessary to determine a winner. To address all
>concerns to a large extent, one could consider a hybrid that I
>employed at the last MSO: first there is a regular tournament
>followed by a two round play-off in which the numbers 1 through 4
>contest the championship. Optionally, all other players could play 1
>or 2 more rounds. Of course, determination of numbers 1 through 4 may
>still involve tie-breaking, but that would be less serious than
>determining the champion on the basis of a tie-breaker.
>
     This is a pretty good idea.  It seems to combine the best of both
systems.  I hope it is given serious consideration.


>Pieter
>
     Larry Kaufman