Phew!
Didn't quite go to plan but we got there!
Winner announced and forum topic updated -
http://www.conquerclub.com/forum/viewto ... 35&start=0.
15 players participated in the end. In hindsight it could have been 18/19 (see below).
A lot of hard work, mainly with millions of PMs in the recruitment phase and during the competition.
Lessons learnt:
1. A few players turned-up late so future tournaments will be slightly later in the day for convenience (especially for those on West Coast of US).
2. A couple of people tried to sign in just before the start by posting on the forum (although I had asked them to PM me) - tournament organiser to check the forum in future.
3. Recruiting from live speed games an hour before the tournament proved to be succesful and essential.
4. A second tournament organiser would help deal with last minute recruitment, setting-up games etc.
5. Setting-up games before the start and having a host of back-up formats was also essential.
6. Reducing from 4 rounds to 3 would help eliminate the dissappearing players problem (happened twice).
7. The tournament organiser must be careful about using 'BCC' (on the 1 occassion 'TO' was used, a reply to a reply resulted in a cheeky player entering two games - he then became a dissappearing player - how rude but how just).
8. The idea of late players being used as reserves should be discarded after round 2 (and either knocked-out players used or number of players reduced).
9. More participation could be encouraged by offering a Premium prize? Shame I cant afford it, but maybe CC may consider this (perhaps 6 months extension for winner, 3 months for runner-up, 1 month for third?), or maybe that's pushing it.
10. It would be great if CC could consider allowing fewer than 16 again, although sticking to 16 minimum having signed-up (11 of the 17 actually turned up on time - it took a month of mega-PM recruiting to get the 17 as well (was 21/22 at one stage but a few had the courtesy to let me know they couldn't make it)).
11. If tournament organisers could have a second 'Friends' list it would be really handy (a list f interested players pre-tournament and those playing once it is up-and-running - PMs would be really quick then).
That's probably about it.
Time for a break and a drink or ten, .... or twenty. Then I might start thinking about the next one in a month or two.
At least we know it can be done now. Just.
Teflon