Last round half point bye

Running Chess Tournaments
41

So, of those who got a half-point in the last round and finished within a half-point of first place, taking a half-point bye in the last round relegated a person to finish a half-point behind first 53.3% of the time while playing and drawing relegated a person to finish a half-point behind first 42.6% of the time. A tie for first was achieved 22.4% for the half-point bye and 35.2% for the played draw. That would make sense if the person getting the draw was playing the other person with the same score, while a person with a half-point final round bye doesn’t have the option of keeping that other contender from getting a full point.

42

There were another 1791 players during that time period rated 1400 or higher who took a half point bye in the first round and finished more than a half point out of the lead, giving a total of 1943 players rated 1400 or higher who took a last round half point bye.

43

Ok, so less than 1% of those taking the last round 1/2 point benefited from it financially in a first place finish (class prizes not taken into account of course since we just don’t know). Thanks.

44

So, it seems the punishment is inherent in the crime. If you take a last-round bye, you’ll almost certainly remove yourself from prize contention.

No reason to get excited (or upset) about last-round byes, then. End of discussion?

Bill Smythe

45

Of the 37 individuals rated 1400 or higher who took a last round half point bye and finished clear first, 5 were more than a point ahead in the final standings, so they were uncatchable.

Another 11 finished exactly a point ahead of the player in 2nd place. The rest finished a half point ahead of 2nd place.

46

Why Organizers need this Marketing Tool!!!

    Several Reasons why this is a good idea!!
1.   Not loosing money and being able to pay for necessary items such as Rent and Utilities is 
      important.  Most club tournaments simply must have an active participation by school age
      kids if their week night tournaments are going to be successful.  Due to the late hour of 
      the last rounds ending, many parents simply will not allow participation without this bye.

 2.  Convenience for out of town players-especially for events ending on a Sunday.  Without
      this marketing tool, many players would not be able to attend.

 3.  As far as the fair idea, Fair is an event in the Fall with ferris wheels.  And, is it "fair" to 
       ask organizers to take undue financial risks??

      Robert Jones
      Denton, Texas