Hi all lovely idea creating this on BGA,
However I have to agree with some of the points made before me. I think its all been a bit rushed which has caused most of the problems, it is a bit late to fix them for this year but looking into next year.
1)Multiple entries into different time zones.
2)Lack of spots in each area.
3)Qualification events all very close to each other.
4)Knockout vs swiss systems
I think some time should be spent at looking at how chess and other world championships set up qualifying tournaments.
My understanding is that to get to the world stage you compete in regional or national qualifications.
From here winners and the top ranking players are allowed to compete in the world wide tournaments.
Of these tournaments only a few allow qualification to the world championship(much like many world cup events)
Taking this into consideration I would suggest the following (it is more complicated and more work but would make it fairer.
1) Multiple entries -
I'm torn on this one but in reality one can enter multiple qualifying events as you want in chess though there are a limited number that give qualification but they are given advanced noticed with a calendar for the up coming year. Spread the events over several months that way if the same person wins its already known and is clearly known.
2)Lack of spots -
Creating a free for all entry system will only ever causes issues especially with a popular game like azul.
3 solutions -
a) create regional or country based competitions earlier in the year starting after the world cup event these then filter into the world qualifying events - creating a fairer system.
b)use the bga elo system as the decider but limit it to the top 256 players (256 is just an example) on bga who can then compete for the qualifying spots at the world championships - less organisation as bga already i believe has the top 100 players listed.
c)use of the bga arena - the top player each month automatically qualifies for the world championships with the runners up qualifying in final ranking order each month if the same player wins twice or doesnt want to go to the championships.
3)Timing of events - I've mentioned the ideas in points 1 & 2.
4)Type of tournament -
Again I've mentioned some ideas in point 2) but looking at the world chess qualifiers they use some knockout and some swiss tournaments. A combination of both systems might work.
I hope this gives you some food for thought going into the next world championship.
Thank you.
