World Mind Sport Games 2012

[gogameguru]

WMSG is modeled after the Olympics.

If the earlier stated information is right, McMahon (not all participants have the same right to win), no professionals (some of the strongest players are prohibited) and extra youth tournament (not all participants in the overall event have the same right to win the same) contradict that. The first WMSG was pretty close to the Olympics - the second is not at all.

That's mainly because of a lack of funding Robert, but they're doing their best to find resources and go ahead with it anyway. It's the same old story, and you must know that by now...

[RobertJasiek]

That's mainly because of a lack of funding

Not at all! Swiss or KO (as examples of different tournament systems) instead of McMahon costs nothing, allowing professionals to enter costs nothing (for the event organisation) and letting young and adult players play in one tournament costs nothing!

[gogameguru]

I was under the impression that professionals just weren't interested in attending, not that they were blocked from entering.

Perhaps you've read otherwise?

[RobertJasiek]

So far, I have believed Javaness2:
http://www.lifein19x19.com/forum/viewto ... 06#p101174

Do you have the URLs for the pages or documents that specify the details?

[HermanHiddema]

WMSG is modeled after the Olympics.

If the earlier stated information is right, McMahon (not all participants have the same right to win), no professionals (some of the strongest players are prohibited) and extra youth tournament (not all participants in the overall event have the same right to win the same) contradict that. The first WMSG was pretty close to the Olympics - the second is not at all.

Actually, the Olympics traditionally did not allow professional athletes to compete, and some restrictions on professional participation still exists for some sports. Also, there has been a recent addition of Youth Olympic Games in addition to the regular Olympic games.

[gogameguru]

So far, I have believed Javaness2:
http://www.lifein19x19.com/forum/viewto ... 06#p101174

Do you have the URLs for the pages or documents that specify the details?

I see. I hadn't seen that other thread earlier. I was just going off a conversation I had with our region's IGF director.

EDIT: After some clicking around the IGF site for awhile, I found this: http://intergofed.org/documents/2nd_wms ... etails.pdf

The copy I downloaded says 'Updated June 5'. On the first page, second point:

- Eligibility: Amateur players nominated by a national go
organisation associated with the International Go Federation
who are citizens of that organisation's country or territory.
Nominations must be submitted to the tournament office by
July 30. Youth participants must be born after August 20, 1991.

So, if I understand that correctly it seems pros are indeed excluded. Nice to see some regular updates on the IGF site by the way!

[RobertJasiek]

the Olympics traditionally did not allow professional athletes to compete, and some restrictions on professional participation still exists for some sports. Also, there has been a recent addition of Youth Olympic Games in addition to the regular Olympic games.

Interesting, thank you!

Until which year were professional athletes prohibited?

[HermanHiddema]

the Olympics traditionally did not allow professional athletes to compete, and some restrictions on professional participation still exists for some sports. Also, there has been a recent addition of Youth Olympic Games in addition to the regular Olympic games.

Interesting, thank you!

Until which year were professional athletes prohibited?

According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Ga ... ssionalism) the restrictions on professional athletes started to be phased out during the 70s, and there has been no general IOC restriction since the 90s. Current restrictions are the result of individual policy of international federations of specific sports. Currently, there are still restrictions in boxing, wrestling and football (soccer).

[RobertJasiek]

The following is still unclear:
- komi
- rules of play
- which byoyomi
- initial McMahon seeding (top bar etc.)
- McMahon pairing
- tiebreakers for the seeding from McMahon to KO
- determination of tournament directors and referees
- definition of "amateur player"

Which Europeans may participate in the qualification tournament for the 2nd SportAccord World Mind Games?

75 min basic time is a slight improvement over the 1st WMSG but still much shorter than an event of that importance deserves.

[Javaness2]

It would seem idiotic to decide on the McMahon bar before you know who has entered the tournament?
I expect they will use French Rules, but I am sure that this, and all the minor details will appear soon, after having being decided in an email exchange.

The following is still unclear:
- komi
- rules of play
- which byoyomi
- initial McMahon seeding (top bar etc.)
- McMahon pairing
- tiebreakers for the seeding from McMahon to KO
- determination of tournament directors and referees
- definition of "amateur player"

Which Europeans may participate in the qualification tournament for the 2nd SportAccord World Mind Games?

75 min basic time is a slight improvement over the 1st WMSG but still much shorter than an event of that importance deserves.

[oren]

- definition of "amateur player"

I'm going to go out on a limb and state anyone who is not deemed to be a profession of China, Japan, Korea, or Taiwan go organizations.

[Javaness2]

- definition of "amateur player"

I'm going to go out on a limb and state anyone who is not deemed to be a profession of China, Japan, Korea, or Taiwan go organizations.

Look at you! Riding the salty wave of reckless uncertainty and the bald headed eagle of presumptuousness!

[hyperpape]

- definition of "amateur player"

If you'd like, we could arrange for someone to tell you that you're prohibited from playing.

[RobertJasiek]

If you'd like, we could arrange for someone to tell you that you're prohibited from playing.

I am not asking for a lex Robert Jasiek but for a general definition. From "member of at least one professional player association" via "earning rather than losing money (alternatively: having most income) by attending go tournaments" to "earning at least some (alternatively: most) money from any kind of go-related activity" everything is possible and affects different groups of players.

The most stupid thing would be not to provide a definition, let players be nominated, then tell them during the event: "Sorry for having travel expenses, but you are not eligible because you misinterpreted 'amateur player'!".

[RobertJasiek]

It would seem idiotic to decide on the McMahon bar before you know who has entered the tournament?

It would have been brilliant to set the bar and other tournament system details before the national nominations could start so that potential participants can better decide whether they want to participate. Knowing / not knowing to be in the top bar makes a very great difference for players wishing to win a tournament.

An event putting itself in relation to the Olympics should set model standards rather than of late announcements. (I know, there have been financial troubles etc. But now there is no more excuse, and I hope that the tournament details will be announced soon.)

I expect they will use French Rules

Would be nice and provide a quality appropriate for the tournament.

all the minor details

Things like the seeding to a KO are not minor but are major details.