Kia ora! 

The Qualifiers are over and only a few have survived! Today we will find out who the lucky bloggers are who have won the last 8 places in the Sweet 16 phase of BlogChamps Season 7!   

So, in Week 2 we had 32 entries! It was less than Week 1, but that is perfectly normal and, to be honest, more than I had expected! An amazing number for a second week compared to recent seasons. And the best news is that not a single blog was about ligaments! In fact, the average quality was even higher than in Week 1, which came as a pleasant surprise to us! 

I would like to thank you all for making not only Week 2, but the whole qualifiers, something special. BlogChamps feels more alive than ever, thanks to each one of you! I hope we can keep up the hype in the knockout stages! 

• Total submitted blogs in the qualifiers: 76 (44 W1 + 32 W2) 

• Total number of participants: 56 (80% participation rate) - This is a great number! 

 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

But let's get to what's really important. Before we start, we have a "special" case: 

Not competing in Week 2 (already qualified in Week 1): @IM-Mat_Troi (https://www.chess.com/blog/IMCharlock-Holmes/iv-chess-is-unmatched-and-so-much-more):

After @KindCuteGorilla withdrew last week, you were already qualified for the Sweet 16, so we did not judge this blog (Though I am sure it would qualify). If you want feedback, please send me a private message. Also, given that his forfeit was not your fault, I would like to offer you the opportunity to either write a new blog for the knockout round or stay with this one if you prefer. I'll DM you soon so you can decide. 

 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Ok, clarifications made. Now, as I did in Week 1, below you will find the 8 qualified bloggers who will advance to the Sweet 16, along with their scores and some brief comments and feedback on the blogs. The others will be listed in a separate forum. 

  ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

WEEK 2 TOP 8 (QUALIFIED FOR THE KNOCKOUTS) 

1) @Duckfest (https://www.chess.com/blog/Duckfest/game-review-common-confusion): 8.3

Despite the score, this was perhaps the best entry so far, including both weeks (no offense, @RookMindset).  You did very good research and taught us many things we didn't know, which were nice to discover. The presentation is also good, while the writing is nice but maybe a bit repetitive at times. For a topic like this, we suggest you list the sections up front to prepare the reader, like a table of contents. Also, the section title of chapter 5 breaks a pattern, why "Chapter 5 Review Relativity" and not "5. Review Relativity" like the others? Be careful with that. But all in all, a very good blog! Congratulations! 

 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

2) @WinT0L0ss (https://www.chess.com/blog/WinT0L0ssChess/the-knightmare-escape-room): 7.9

You stole my idea! Lol, just kidding. Actually, you used the same concept and took it in a fun direction. The blog is well-written, well-edited, and appealing. It was very original but can't give it a full huge 'originality' score because of my previous blog. Still, it is unique and nice to 'play'. Beware, I found the first room a bit confusing, maybe it could have been split into two rooms. Also, the reader always escapes at the end, which is a setback. A few tragic failures would be cool to add to the dramatic tone of the blog. But all in all, it's a great entry! Good job!

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

3) @SavageOppress (https://www.chess.com/blog/SavageOppress/casablanca-chess-a-stunning-new-variant): 7.2

Nice reminder about a very interesting recent tournament. Of course, we cannot say it was that original because of chess.com posts to this, and making a recap of a pro tournament is not the most original thing ever, but at least you chose a different one and made some good analysis in a very organized and detailed blog, with a good structuring and presentation. I like the way you followed a clear standard. The resolution of the first picture had to be better, and the writing needs some improvement. While it is nothing too special, it is a good blog with very few flaws and deserves to go through. Congratulations!

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

4) @Koh-i-noor (https://www.chess.com/blog/ShrimpBiryani/chess-and-espionage): 7.05

A good and interesting topic with a great title. Told us something new and curious with engaging writing. It needs better formatting, with particular attention to the size of the images, which are too obviously different, jumping from giant to mini. The separation of sections needs to be clearer, and not just with bold text. Make sure the font is bigger, and even better if it is centered. The conclusion/end was too abrupt, I think even revealing the solution could be a good way to finish the text. But overall, a very nice blog and an excellent read!

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

5) @JustGettingThisOffMyChess (https://www.chess.com/blog/JustGettingThisOffMyChess/so-youre-bad-at-chess-a-demotional-guide-to-accepting-your-place-in-the-world-of-chess): 7.05

There were some flaws, but on a "reading for reading's sake" level, this blog certainly made us laugh. It is a good read, well written, funny (especially the pictures and their descriptions), and has an important message. This topic should be explored much more, in my opinion, but of course, the chess "authorities" are usually titled players who depend on selling courses for a living, so, understandably, they do not say "Just play for fun". Anyway, the long paragraphs sometimes get on my nerves. They could have been split into two or sometimes even three. Nothing too serious though. Glad to see you back!

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

6) @HenryUrbanek (https://www.chess.com/blog/HenryUrbanek2011/a-comeback-for-the-ages): 6.5 

Nice recap of one of the most dramatic WCs of all time. Not too original, but a good theme. I like the formatting/editing and the overall structure; it was a good factor that caught our attention positively. To improve, beware of some problematic repetition throughout the text. Also, in general, lower-rated players should avoid analyzing titled player games (analyzing your own games in a blog, on the other hand, is highly encouraged). For GM games, especially of the Kasparov and Karpov caliber, it is better to include some GM analysis (not Stockfish please) and give the GM credit. However,  I understand that the focus of this blog is to tell the story and not to analyze the games in detail. Good one! Ps: Remember to always set external links to open in a "new window". 

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

7) @DocSimooo (https://www.chess.com/blog/DocSimooo/et-chess-game): 6.45

Another great blog from you! You were certainly a positive surprise for the club and the competition, like many other newcomers. You told a nice and not-so-well-known story about a very different chess game. As some points of improvement, the lack of sections to break it up was a negative. Separate sections with titles make it easier for the reader to follow the structure and understand what is being told.  You also did not include an analysis of the game. I understand that this was not the focus, but some comments at critical moments and annotations (??, ?, !, !!, etc.) would have added more value to the blog. Still, it compensates with accessible and engaging writing that keeps the reader interested. Congrats!

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

8) @rmontanez (https://www.chess.com/blog/AdultChessJourney/creating-a-chess-training-plan-for-adult-improvers): 6.35

Pretty well written and useful for the target audience. It is very interesting. The lack of pictures, boards with examples of your personal struggles, tables explaining the schedule, etc. can make the reader lose interest and made us deduct points. Some mistakes/oversimplifications also caught our eye (tactics are game-changing no matter what the rating spectrum) and you could have gone deeper into certain patterns, like mating patterns, middle/end-game pawn structure changes, etc. You are a good writer and a good chess player, but you can still improve as a blogger. That is why we are here! But you are qualified, and so far, this is what matters!

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Congratulations on qualifying for the Sweet 16! I hope you continue to improve your blogs and that you look forward to now competing in 1v1 matches against the Week 1 bloggers.  Check out the updated bracket with the exact match-ups below: 

(@HenryUrbanek had to withdraw, so I am replacing him with @ghefley (Week 2 #9). Since the match-ups were already defined, I prefer to simply replace him directly instead of messing up the bracket.)

If your username (or initials, if you have a ridiculously long username that didn't fit into my template) is above, please leave a comment in this announcement confirming your participation in the knockouts. If you are too shy, a DM to me will also work! 

 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Now, a message for those who did not qualify. Unfortunately, Season 7 is over for you. But hey! Don't get discouraged or disappointed, because our goal here is exactly the opposite, and I'm sure there are many positive things you can take away from this participation: 

• You've gotten some feedback from experienced bloggers on your articles, and you now have a direction on how to improve even more.  

• Your blogs are much better now than they were before you joined us.  

• You've probably gotten more views and comments than you would have if you weren't here.  

• You can (and I hope you will) stay in the club to learn more, be part of a blogging community, ask questions, get feedback, share experiences, etc. 

• You can watch the rest of the competition, learn with the best blogs, and cheer on your favorite! 

• You can (and I hope you do) compete in Season 8 and try again! It is expected to be around February 2025. 

 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Below you will find the locked forum with your position and your feedback in Week 2: 

9th to 31th (Season 7 Week 2 Qualifiers) 

 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

SWEET 16 KICKOFF 

And I am pleased to announce that the knockouts have begun! Only 16 users survived one of the toughest Qualifiers that BlogChamps has ever had, and now will have the chance to prove themselves among the best!

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

The rules are much simpler now: 

• You have until November 11, 23:59 EST (Eastern Standard Time) to submit your blog in the following forum: Submission Forum - Season 7 Sweet 16

• I am giving you 18 days based on last Season's deadline. I ask you to do your best to submit before this due date. If for some reason you need an extra day or two, you can send me a DM and we can try to negotiate, but please only if it is really necessary. 

• Also, remember that a lot of non-qualified bloggers would like to be where you are, so please don't forfeit. It is my most sincere request. I think we can make Season 7 very special, and it takes a lot of effort from me and the judges to provide this fun competition for everyone, so please keep the spirit alive! This can be a historic season if we can avoid forfeits in the knockout stages and I am counting on you to make it happen! 

If you really see no other way, please let me know as soon as possible so you can be replaced. But again, try your best not to. 

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

FAQ 

 1) I was not qualified. Am I allowed to stay in this club, or should I quit while insulting everyone? 

 We'd love to see you stick around, follow the rest of the Season, keep improving your blogs, and enter Season 8! In the meantime, don't hesitate to message me for feedback on your blogs, and you can always count on at least one reader. 😊 

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

2) I'm qualified, but I've lost the motivation and don't want to write anymore. Would it be too bad if I just didn't submit without informing anyone? 

Yes, it would! Please try your best to submit a blog, even if it can't be perfect. The main idea of this competition is... well, to compete. I'm sure you'd hate to go to the stadium to watch your favorite sport and find out that one of the teams simply didn't show up. No one forced you to join, but now that you are in, I kindly ask you to play until you are eventually knocked out (or win). So please submit a blog or let me know well in advance (next 2 or 3 days maximum), so you can be replaced in time. 

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

3) If I am not competing, should I continue to follow the Season or am I no longer welcome, and should stop talking about it? 

The more viewers the better! You are welcome to make predictions (forum coming soon), read the submitted blogs to learn with them, pick your favorite blogger, and follow all the announcements to see who will be crowned in the end! 

 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

That's all, folks! As always, I'm open to questions in the comments or via DM. And if you're one of the 16 remaining contestants, get ready because I'll be sending you some reminders soon LOL.  

Good luck to you all, and I'll see you back with the Sweet 16 results!