Why is U.S. participation in the World Junior and the World Junior Girls so hit and miss (it’s currently in round 7)? Some years, we have a participant and some years we don’t. This year, we don’t in either category. To me, it seems that there are U.S. participants and U.S. teams in every age group championship except for the under 20s.
There could be any number of reasons, none of which I can say are the actual reason. There is the question of what is in the USCF budget with regards to international events. That means the players may need to pay their own way 100%. Also, there could be a question of player interest and how well the event is publicized within the US. There is the issue of location, which can be tied into some of the other items I listed above. Finally, don’t forget that this event is taking place September 1-16 this year. That is the beginning of the school year for almost all students, except for a very few colleges. Taking a week or 2 off of school for a chess tournament may not be something that players or parents are willing to do.
Larry s. Cohen
Thanks for your input ILfish. I guess my next question is whether or not winning an eight year old ‘world championship’ is more important than a chance to win the U20 Junior Championship. I’m old enough to remember when participating in the World Junior Championship meant something for U.S. chess, and actually winning it was a feat.
If the USCF finances participation of US teams or individuals playing in the plethora of international age-group championships, wholly or in part, then why the lack of enthusiasm for the U20s?
US Chess doesn’t finance a “participation … in the plethora of international age-group championships”. US Chess has supported our Olympiad and World Team efforts as well as the Pan Am Youth and World Youth Championships, with a limited assistance to the World Senior. there may be a few other items - but the $$ involved are minimal. FIDE has added a number of events and while we may have a representative that doesn’t mean US Chess pays any of the bill.
the World Youth support is limited to only certain players and includes a stipend that is not sufficient to cover all of the costs and paying for coaches to go. The coaches cover 6 players each. The assistance covers around 50 players or so at the most. We expect there to be around 130 attending the World youth this year. We support the World youth efforts in part because that is the priority of the Scholastic Committee and Scholastic Council.