Qualifiers Week 1 Results + Week 2 Kickoff
Kia ora!
The moment you have all been waiting for has finally arrived! Today, I will announce the results of the BlogChamps Season 7 Qualifiers Week 1! (Maybe we need a shorter way to call it.)
So, out of 64 registrations, we had 44 entries, which is a participation rate of 68.75%. I would like to thank you all for this amazing effort. As far as I know, we haven't had this many blogs in the qualifiers since Season 3. Also, some users told me they would not be able to post anything for Week 1 but promised that a blog for Week 2 would surely come.
I would like to thank all the judges for their quick, accurate, and fair decisions.
Anyway, enough talk. I know you're here to see the results, so you'll find the qualified bloggers below, along with some brief feedback that I've summarized based on the main opinions of myself and the judging team.
THE TOP 8 QUALIFIED FOR THE KNOCKOUTS
1) @RookMindset (https://www.chess.com/blog/RookMindset/winning-the-most-draining-chess-tournament): 8.35.
It only took a few lines to figure out that this was going to be the best entry. Amazing job of combining humor and technical analysis appropriate to human ratings. Some subtle jokes like "opponent who won't learn a real opening" or "casual players who want to try classical chess or chess gods who will ruthlessly melt you at the board" were very well done. I think the conclusion (last 3 sections) needed at least one or two more pictures/memes. Also, when you add a puzzle, really add it using the Chess.com feature to show the solution, and not a screenshot. Even if the solution is obvious, it's fun to "play", and beginners don't see the pattern so easily. But yes, those are just small details, you did great!
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2) @Alina_Bakhtina_24 (https://www.chess.com/blog/AlinaBakhtina/the-most-unusual-chess-tournaments): 7.25.
A very nice entry! Well done research. The judges learned new things from reading it, and the writing is engaging. The inclusion of many creative images and games makes it easy to keep reading without losing interest. For anyone looking for a model blog for Week 2, this is the easiest to use as a good example. As improvement suggestions, watch out for the formatting details... the Everest Tournament section has a different font size and style (was it too cold up there?). The thumbnail is also a bit too busy. But all in all, a very good blog, otherwise it would not be here. Congratulations!
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3) @Bid (https://www.chess.com/blog/BidsBlogs/european-chess-history-from-past-to-present): 7.2.
I am glad we challenged you to join the season and show your potential. Very good blog! The title could be just the first 3 words... but the thumbnail is very nice. I noticed some minor historical inaccuracies, but they are understandable and not critical. The flow is also not optimal at times, going back and forth in history, which confuses the reader a bit. But overall a very good entry and amazing work with detailed writing and great formatting. Congratulations on qualifying!
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4) @BugMeLater (https://www.chess.com/blog/AttackFirstBugLater/the-smith-morra-with-f4-system-new-ideas): 6.5
The best analysis of the week. The thumbnail is not glamorous, but it definitely points to a main thematic concept in the topic. Sometimes it is hard to keep the reader interested in a topic like this, so the fact that you managed to do it is very important. And of course, I am pretty sure that this is helpful for those who play the SMG. Also, I could not find much material about this line on the web, which shows originality. The fact that the first and the second pictures have such different sizes is a point of attention, be careful. Overall, an interesting technical blog without lacking human analysis. Congrats!
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5) @Taken (https://www.chess.com/blog/TakenTraps/club-players-are-not-what-you-expect): 6.5.
You made some self-deprecating jokes when submitting, but the blog is pretty good. We know you are a YouTuber, so it is okay to include the video, but I think the blog deserved an additional picture before that. Text walls in the introduction can make some impatient people lose interest. Still, it is a nice OTB recap. Not the most original topic, true, but the analysis is solid and well explained with good writing. An interesting blog, even if the topic is rather simple. Earned a spot in the next round, well done! (Behind @BugMeLater despite the tie-in points, because as a tiebreaker I cut the best and worst score of each judge, then calculated the average with the 3 remaining ones. Bug's score was higher, so I placed him ahead of you).
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6) @KindCuteGorilla (https://www.chess.com/blog/GM_NITESHAHUJA/sara-khadem-the-real-queen-of-chess): 6.25.
Well-told biography about an iconic but not-so-famous player. The formatting and editing could be a bit better, but are ok, with pictures to illustrate the topics, which are also correctly structured. Be careful because the blog was a bit repetitive at times. I see you probably wrote each chapter at different moments and forgot to read the whole text (e.g. you mention Sam is her son several times, there is no need). The thumbnail was also a bit too busy. But the blog is overall good. Congratulations on advancing!
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7) @NDpatzer (https://www.chess.com/blog/bjbalas/science-of-chess-what-happens-in-the-brain-when-we-see-the-best-move): 6.2.
The topic is quite interesting, ambitious and original, we liked it, especially one of the judges. If you want an example of a top blogger writing about similar things, check out @Rinckens. The research was nice, but the text has some word walls that you need to avoid by adding more images to break the flow, keep the reader engaged by giving them a break from the technical stuff, and also to explain it better and more easily for laypeople. But still, if it was not a good blog, would not be here. Congratulations and hope you do even better in the Round of 16!
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8) @DavidGaming08 (https://www.chess.com/blog/DavidGaming08/the-triumphs-of-a-chessnut-or-a-dutch-painter-from-tunis): 6.1.
Nice research on an unexplored personality. Interesting stories usually make interesting blogs, and you definitely got most of your points there. The thumbnail is also very nice, but the formatting could be better. You mentioned that you had problems at the end, but for me, the biggest problem is the word walls at the beginning, the paragraphs were way too long. Be careful with that. But in general, you delved into a lesser-known character with some sketchy attributes and clinched the last spot!
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Congratulations on qualifying for the Sweet 16! As a reward, you will now be able to take a well-deserved break during Week 2 and watch your competitors battle it out for the remaining eight spots. You will also have more time to prepare the blog for the knockouts, which is always a good thing. Check out the updated bracket below:
Ps: @KindCuteGorilla had to withdraw, so his spot is given to the 9th place (@IM-Mat_Troi). I am updating the bracket below, and also adjusting the positions.
Now, a message for those who were either very close or well, who need to improve substantially. Since the list is very long, I have created a locked forum (no comments there, do them here) where you can check your position and your feedback:
9th to 44th (Season 7 Week 1 Qualifiers)
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WEEK 2 KICKOFF
But hey! If you didn't qualify, don't give up yet, because Week 2 is starting right now and no matter what your score was in Week 1, you still have a chance to improve and secure your place in the Sweet 16. Usually, the cut-off score is a little lower, so don't get your hopes up and give it your best shot! If you qualify for the Knockout stage, it is basically a brand-new competition, so nothing is lost yet!
Below is a summary of how Week 2 will work:
• You have until October 22nd 23:59 EST (Eastern Standard Time) to submit your blog in the following forum: Season 7 Week 2 Submission Forum
• Despite the name, we are giving you a wider window than one week because I know you have had less time to prepare.
• As in Week 1, the best 8 blogs will move on. However, there is a small but important difference! I will explain it below. Please read carefully! I don't want any stupid questions.
Week 2 qualification system:
- Anyone who didn't submit a blog in Week 1 can still submit a blog in Week 2. The score it gets will be the score we use (obvious so far, right?).
- If you submitted a blog in Week 1, didn't qualify, and don't submit a new one in Week 2, you're out, eliminated, bye-bye, auf Wiedersehen, adios, ciao!
- But... if you submit a blog for both Week 1 and Week 2, we will consider your highest score between the two. (Please note that the blog for Week 2 must be a decent one. No copying, no AI garbage, no obvious lazy work, etc.) I know the definition of decent can be subjective, but the judges will decide. Any score we give is subjective anyway.
The reason for this rule is that we know that people tend to put more time and effort into their Week 1 blogs, so we want to favor the best bloggers overall. This way, we avoid qualifying mediocre Week 2 blogs instead of Week 1 blogs that were better.
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FAQ
(Please read this carefully before sending me a DM, I beg you)
1) I qualified in Week 1. Can I submit a blog for Week 2 to try and get a higher seed?
No! Please don't. We will not consider your blog. Focus on writing for the Sweet 16. Even if you are seeded #8, you will have much more time than your opponent, so you already have a good advantage.
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2) I didn’t qualify, but I think my Week 1 score will be enough to qualify in Week 2. Can I sit on my Week 1 blog and just hope it is enough?
No! As stated clearly above, we will consider the best score, but only for those submit in both Weeks.
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3) I didn’t submit any blog in Week 1, can I still submit it in Week 2?
Yes! We are looking forward to reading it!
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4) I am not even registered yet, but I changed my mind and want to participate now. Can I still register?
Yes! Simply register here: Season 7 Registration, submit your blog like everyone else, and good luck!
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I think that is it for today. Of course, I am open to questions in the comments or via DM, but please only ask if you are pretty sure the answer is not explained here.
Good luck to you all and see you again when the Week 2 results are ready!
