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.