Well, if people can take time out for a 7+2 competition, it is not a great difference to play 2 extra nights.
Furthermore, I think SIXGA has not account fully why they use the X+2 system.
The 7+2 system indeed brings about more excitment as the spectators will see the semi-final and finals as a more fiercely fought competition than in a swiss system. However, SIXGA is trying to prevent people from watching the games and does it not defeat the purpose of a X + 2 system? Furthermore, there are no big chess boards to broadcast the games nor are there any efforts to put the games online so that the chess fans can follow the news. If that is the case, why not make it 9 rounds like last year's competition? It is more accurate in gauging the strengths of all the players.
Another question to consider is that is the 7+2 system raising the qualities of the games? Well, I do not think there is much differences as compared to previous years. In fact, it might be worse. Those that did not make it to top 4 are not taking their last 2 games seriously and are actually just playing for fun and waiting to get the deposit back. The monetary awards for 5th - 8th are not enough to inspire the players that did not qualify to play seriously, from what was gathered on the ground.
Though the X+2 system may offer some advantages, but the main question here is that is it appropriate in the Singapore context or is it more suited for international competition where there are more publicity and more chess fans following the news with world-class players in the competition?
I would seriously think that SIXGA should ask the players and chess fans to fill up a feedback form and see what could be improved on.
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