Life In 19x19

Are online qualifier tournaments for International events really working for the AGA?

Take the most recent, http://www.usgo.org/tournaments/Bingsheng/2011/
With 4 people entered, and only 2 games played, you can't help but feel something has gone wrong. I have already expressed my surprise at the previous tournament, the Pair Go qualifier's low take up.

In a country like the USA, I don't understand why the uptake is so low. I would have thought these events would be popular affairs, engaging a lot of members. It looks on the face of it, like they are unpopular in terms of participation and reporting. I can't help but feel this is bizarre. Compare with the European Team Championships... what gives?

Javaness2 wrote:Are online qualifier tournaments for International events really working for the AGA?

For North American Master Tournament, it seems to work out well. For SportAccord minus a couple issues, I think it worked fine. One problem with Bingsheng was the short notice of the event and very few people who would be competitive for the spot.

doesnt it seem like there used to be around 6 online tournaments a year in the past? i dont remember the last one the aga had.

vash3g wrote:doesnt it seem like there used to be around 6 online tournaments a year in the past? i dont remember the last one the aga had.

My memory was the Student Oza in October, the Fujitsu in November, two Ing qualifiers in the spring, plus the US-Canada Youth Friendship Match (winter), the TransAtlantic Youth Friendship Match (also winter) and the US Youth Goe Championship (late May, early June).

Edit: And the Redmond Cup!