I'll try to answer: IMO, Term, Bayazet, 51-70% of Lexa + locals + Merlin. I interpret the silence of the others as a desire not to offend Eric, as the organizer who does quite a lot for the Heroes world.
2 Kobra.
I also have great respect for you; you've been among the top players throughout the entire existence of Heroes 3, and you're a sociable person. But let's be clear.
Write about the others by name. I read the threads—everyone who could speak out has done so.
Only 4 of the finalists are skeptical.
You and Mee—for a simple reason. You have to go to Egypt and Michurinsk at the same time in May. If Lord Dim, Gunnar, and LeBron are definitely going to be there, then you'll be in Egypt too. No offense, but why not just write that "guys, it's a pity, the dates overlap, I can't turn down Egypt."
Maybe next year we'll manage to go to Egypt together.
As for who wants to play—we'll see. I got the impression that Term and Dust and the others are going specifically for the tournament.
The same goes for the legitimacy of the champion—it'll be Buchholz, or a coin toss, or an award, or a game in TK3. The champion will be as good as the attitude toward the tournament organization.
So I'll come regardless, but if everything stays as announced now, then only to hang out, drink some beer, and chat with people.
2 Wicc
Actually, what did we agree on? I take care of all organizational issues, and you handle the judging—and we don't interfere with each other.
And now everything is being rewritten; you're interfering in organizational issues based on the claim that it will hinder your ability to judge.
Now you're coming just to hang out and drink some beer...
No, this doesn't work for me. I physically cannot both organize everything and judge. In Krasnodar, Alan Prost was the organizer and Chaos was the judge, and both worked their tails off. Therefore, you are the judge. If you feel that you cannot be objective, let me know. I will handle it alone.
How can the tournament be conducted? I think about 20 people will gather, but let's say 24—if you do the math, there's no difference.
With 20 participants:
Round 1 - 10 winners, 10 losers.
Round 2 - 5 winners.
Round 3 - 2 or 3 winners.
Round 4 - 1 or 2 winners.
With 24 participants:
Round 1 - 12 winners, 12 losers.
Round 2 - 6 winners.
Round 3 - 3 winners.
Round 4 - 1 or 2 winners.
So there is no difference between 20 and 24 participants; there will still be 4 or maximum 5 rounds. In the worst case, a grand final is played between two winners—that would be the 5th round, if you will. Total: maximum 5 days.
But remembering Krasnodar and other tournaments, by Round 4 there won't be 24 players left anyway. As written above, some come just to hang out, lose one game, and that's it. Some can handle two or three, then either hang out or go home early.
There will be conscientious players who play all 4 rounds, even if not all of them win—it depends on how it goes.
In Krasnodar-2004, there were 60 people including guests. Of those, about 25 remained for the final; others stayed for one, two, or 3-4 days.
How does he want to run 5 rounds in 4 days?
In 4 days—4 rounds. The fifth round—if it's needed—is played by two winners for the championship and everything that comes with it.
Added after 1 hour 42 minutes
And also, before opening the topic, I would like to bring together all the questions that may arise.
How many of us will there be?
Those who are ready to participate in the final and confirm it:
1. Bayazet - 2010 champion.
2. Scorp -
3. Mizrael -
4. Lexa -
5. Preds
6. AlextheGreat
7. Vitalic
8. Yama-Dharma
9. Term
10. Dust
11. Horn
12. Wicc
13. Merlin — although the qualifying tournament hasn't actually finished, three from the qualifiers are eligible to play in the final. I hope more than just one of them will be able to come to the final.
14. Porizatel, possibly Mike—as far as is known now, they may make it to the final. According to Bayazet's message, Porizatel is ready to come to Michurinsk; we are waiting.
I chatted a lot with Mike from St. Petersburg in ICQ even before Kyiv, but he didn't pass then, taking 4th place. We look forward to hosting this strong player.
I met Kral in St. Petersburg several years ago; although he only plays fixed maps, it's possible he can also come.
Those with a lower probability:
Kobra and Mee—unfortunately, the tournament in Michurinsk overlaps with the trip to Egypt. I respect these people; even if we've polemicized, I would be glad to see them at the tournament.
Dirty Player—unfortunately, real-life problems. But there is still time, and I will definitely talk to him about this in private messages, maybe something will work out...
No information on two players—Napalm from Kingisepp and a third player from Yekaterinburg. It is known that 911fx intended to go to Egypt, but nothing is known about Michurinsk. I would be happy to welcome Sergey; he's visited me twice, we played together in St. Petersburg, and he does good work for Heroes.
Who won't be there:
Deep Mike
Piterius
Forrest
Volodymyr
It's a pity if no one comes from Ukraine. But the question has become acute for me too—either the proposed dates and conditions, or I cancel the tournament because otherwise I can't run it. I chose the latter.
As of today, 14, possibly 15 people remain as tournament finalists. Three—Kobra, Mee, and Dirty Player—have objective difficulties participating.
There are also three spots for Ukraine; I am ready to hear proposals, with the only condition being that they must be those who played in the qualifiers.
Besides the Heroes 3 tournament, Qwerty and I plan to organize a HoMM2 tournament. Approximately 6-7 participants. According to my calculations, besides the aforementioned Horn and Dust and Qwerty, GreatGenius and others may come. In April, I will have several arbitrations in Moscow; together with Qwerty and hopefully Oxygen, we'll resolve a couple of Heroes issues.
Guests. Stinger, Matrosov will come; also, several female Heroes players with their husbands are seriously considering coming, but I'll write for sure when everything is settled and they have train tickets. Therefore, finalists can come with their wives; it would be boring for the spouses in a women's company—I hope it won't be.
Plus, a couple of former Michurinsk residents are coming to cheer, and three young guys to learn and perhaps play against some of the veterans.
Total—approximately 16 to 20 HoMM3 players, 4-6 HoMM2 players, and a dozen spectators. I can't write exactly yet, but it will be known for sure in April.
Fans are always welcome; come and get to know the Heroes crowd. We argue on the forums, but in real life we are quite adequate.
Now regarding dates. 4 rounds are played over 4 days. If about 20 people gather, I posted the calculation—two winners with 4 victories play each other for 1st place. This is essentially a grand final and Round 5 simultaneously.
Total: 5 days. Dates—from April 30 to May 4, exactly 5 days.
Accommodation.
Option 1—Hotel "Michurinsk", in the city center; I wrote about it. 1100 per day per person in a double room, not far from the club.
Option 2. Kalinin Sanatorium. 500 rubles per day, double rooms. According to reviews, it seems okay there. The advantage is that it's inexpensive and we are all together.
There will be no problems with buses. At 9:00 AM we go to the city, have breakfast, or arrange breakfast at the sanatorium—there is a cafeteria there.
We arrive at the club at 10:00 or 10:30. We play for 12 hours. There's pizza nearby, cafes, and three large grocery stores, of which "Iceberg" is better. No one will go hungry.
After the round ends, if games are dragged out—at 10-11 PM—we decide together whether to go straight to the sanatorium or have some fun in the city at a club or cafe. If necessary, a taxi will easily take you to the sanatorium at any time. In general, taxis are cheap, 50 rubles to any part of town, but they'll obviously charge more for the sanatorium.
Those who finished quickly, or won/lost and were eliminated from the tournament but intend to watch the final until the end, can find entertainment. Bowling, billiards, football, blitz chess, or just walk around the city.
The city is small, 100 thousand residents, a science town, quite clean. It has its own Arbat—a large pedestrian street where people play guitar and paragliders fly in the sky; there's a Recreation Park there, always crowded. There are a couple of decent night clubs. There is no criminal environment; you can safely walk through the city at night with a girlfriend.
