i think u misinterpret what i'm trying to say?It would be good for people to volunteer and volunteers are actually very important people as the play a big role in promoting the game. Speaking about paying them for 车马费is the minimum amount they should get paid. Basically the chess association is really not much of an association without chess players and people that volunteer to organise chess competitions. Hence the chess association should probably try to market and advertise in a different way to get sponsors.

我记得以前没限制的比赛更多人参加。我还是觉得'公开'赛比较好玩。

not true for 全国赛 in the last 10 years ....... since 1997, the total number of players for 全国赛 keep on dropping and the trying of combined system in 2005 and 2006 could not revert the trend. In fact, the number of players in 2008 was the highest since 2005 ...... I do not think we are able to change back to the old days before 1997 due to the pace of living now ....

Does all people know about 全国赛? Is publicity is enough.In the past(late 1980s and early 1990s), SIXGA used to advertised in newspapers, send letters and forms to every team to make registration easy. I remembered SIXGA secretary calling all rated players to inform about the event. For the past 10 years, I don't remember myself any of my chess friends being informed of 全国赛 unless they happened to visits SIXGA before the competitions. Take this year for example, there is no advertisement on the newspaper and many of my chess friends only knew about 全国赛 when the competition is 50% through. Publicity was not done enough for the recent years, that explains the drops in number participants. If International chess association can do it so well, why can't the chinese chess association? We have more people playing chinese chess then international chess I believe.

Does all people know about 全国赛? Is publicity is enough.In the past(late 1980s and early 1990s), SIXGA used to advertised in newspapers, send letters and forms to every team to make registration easy. I remembered SIXGA secretary calling all rated players to inform about the event. For the past 10 years, I don't remember myself any of my chess friends being informed of 全国赛 unless they happened to visits SIXGA before the competitions. Take this year for example, there is no advertisement on the newspaper and many of my chess friends only knew about 全国赛 when the competition is 50% through. Publicity was not done enough for the recent years, that explains the drops in number participants. If International chess association can do it so well, why can't the chinese chess association? We have more people playing chinese chess then international chess I believe.

it is not fair to SIXGA and the organisers ........ the news of 2008 全国赛 did publish in the newspaper (I saw it but I could not recall the date). Since 2000, we all know 全国赛 held in May/Jun school holidays of each year (except 2006 in July), for any player if really want to join, can pay a visit to SIXGA or just give a call around mid May each year (or leave your contact number to SIXGA if they do call the players). The officials of SIXGA did call many players included unrated ones but personally I do not agree to the action as all are volunteers and why we expect the officials to do until such extents. We have spent more than enough times on the competition issues may be SIXGA can discuss with all clubs if needed when meet the next time.

I am not sure how many people saw the news from newspaper.None of my friends did. And none received calls from officials. Many of them are rated players. By the time they knew about the competition, it was too late to make arrangement for their time and they had to forgo the chance to play. We cannot assume that all people should know that 全国赛 is held in May/Jun school holidays of each year. People like 卷心菜 didn't know until 5 years in Singapore. If SIXGA assume that like ， then they will not focus on publicity and participation rate will be low. As I mentioned, I-chess is doing very well. There should be no excuse that C-chess can't do it.

2008年甘榜格南象棋个人赛 and 雅柏广场团体赛 ....... In 碧山民众俱乐部象棋会快讯34 ----今后两年活动计划预告 below : http://bbs.huasing.org/bbs.php?B=123_11053510 we have indicated the following top 2 priorities : 1 棋会尽可能组队参加团体赛。 2 棋会鼓励会员应多参加个人赛包括内部会员赛，以吸取比赛经验。 There are three 个人赛 and three 团体赛 for the coming five months excluding two international events in Oct 2008 [首届世界智力运动会 (北京) (10月3 - 18日) and 象总承办 ：怡和轩杯第15届亚洲象棋锦标赛(新加坡)(10月20-26日)]. to encourage Bishan members to participate in 甘榜格南象棋个人赛 (registration is to be closed on 10 Aug 2008) on 24 & 31 Aug 2008 is the first activity under our new direction; and to participate in 2008年雅柏广场团体赛 (registration is to be closed on 1 Sep 2008) on 14 Sep 2008 is our second activity. So far, 5 members have registered for 甘榜格南象棋个人赛 and we are in the process of forming team for 2008年雅柏广场团体赛. Other possible events until end of 2008 for Bishan mem (more...)

2008 甘榜格南象棋个人赛 (known as 罗明士杯个人赛 before 2006) .....during 2003 to 2007, we had between 4 to 8 members in the competitions each year. We will have at least 6 members in the coming event, not affected by 奥林匹克。 :D

2008年甘榜格南象棋个人赛 and 雅柏广场团体赛 ....... In 碧山民众俱乐部象棋会快讯34 ----今后两年活动计划预告 below : http://bbs.huasing.org/bbs.php?B=123_11053510 we have indicated the following top 2 priorities : 1 棋会尽可能组队参加团体赛。 2 棋会鼓励会员应多参加个人赛包括内部会员赛，以吸取比赛经验。 There are three 个人赛 and three 团体赛 for the coming five months excluding two international events in Oct 2008 [首届世界智力运动会 (北京) (10月3 - 18日) and 象总承办 ：怡和轩杯第15届亚洲象棋锦标赛(新加坡)(10月20-26日)]. to encourage Bishan members to participate in 甘榜格南象棋个人赛 (registration is to be closed on 10 Aug 2008) on 24 & 31 Aug 2008 is the first activity under our new direction; and to participate in 2008年雅柏广场团体赛 (registration is to be closed on 1 Sep 2008) on 14 Sep 2008 is our second activity. So far, 5 members have registered for 甘榜格南象棋个人赛 and we are in the process of forming team for 2008年雅柏广场团体赛. Other possible events until end of 2008 for Bishan mem (more...)

heard that at least 45 players for the coming event on 24 & 31 Aug 2008 ....