Qualifiers Week 1 Results + Week 2 Kickoff
Kia ora!
After a week of anticipation and nerves, the big moment has finally arrived! Today, I will announce the results of BlogChamps Season 8 Qualifiers Week 1! (Yeah, we do need a shorter way to call it.)
So, out of 81 registrations, we had 52 entries, which is a participation rate of 64.2%. I would like to thank you all for this amazing effort. We have managed to break the already impressive record of Season 7. 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 the Week 1 judges @KevinSmithIdiot, @JustGettingThisOffMyChess, and @AstroTheoretical_Physics 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. This season, in order to keep the announcement shorter, I have preferred to write only their names and scores, leaving the feedback to be posted along with all the others in the separate forum.
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THE TOP 8 QUALIFIED FOR THE KNOCKOUTS
1) @PokeGirl93 - The Best Chess Stories I Have To Share: 8.43
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2) @JugadaBrillante - Squid Chess Game: 7.50
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3) @Alina_Bakhtina_24 - Chess legends under 20 | TOP-5: 7.30
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4) @DocSimooo - The mathematical and musical harmony of chess: 7.28
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5) @2000Knights - The Life of José Capablanca: 7.05
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6) @ChocoCaramelPawn - I became a chess youtuber for a year. Here's what happened.: 7.05
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7) @PierreLuc - Your Elo is lying to you!: 6.93
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8) @xirinac - Spassky's Closed Sicilian: Dancing Behind the Pawns: 6.75
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*Despite the tie, @2000Knights was ranked higher than @ChocoCaramelPawn after I collected and weighted the judges' opinions.
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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:
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:
Full Ranking & Feedback Forum (Season 8 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 March 14th 23:59 EST (Eastern Standard Time) to submit your blog in the following forum: Submission Forum - Season 8 Week 2
• 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. Unlike last season, this time we will not even be able to take into account your highest score, as the judges will be different, so it would obviously not be fair.
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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, the judges in both weeks are different, so we cannot even consider the best score. You must submit a new blog in Week 2.
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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 8 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!
