Mathematically speaking, the 2009 field is a bit lower in average ranking and median ranking than the 2008 field (about 5%). The standard deviation or spread of the ratings is almost identical.
2009
Average 1,054
Median 1,095
Standard Deviation 507
2008
Average 1,099
Median 1,142
Standard Deviation 506
But those are just the numbers. Out in the hall, did the higher-ranked players have to work any less hard for their wins? You'll have to ask the players that but my guess is that there was no less pressure. If the higher-ranked players were taking it easy, why were there upsets and "near-upsets". Using tennis as analogy, would you say that the 1985 Wimbledon finals was any less exciting because the world No.1 and 2 weren't in the finals? No, because that was the year Boris Becker won as an unseeded player over Kevin Curren (who beat John McEnroe #1 and Jimmy Conners #3 on the way to the finals). The important thing is that Becker grabbed the opportunity presented to him and the rest is history.
In conclusion, I agree that the Juniors this year could be more competitive given the number of Victorian Juniors doing great things out in the Australian chess landscape but are this year's winners any less worthy? The reply should be a resounding NO. I CHOOSE to look at the cup half full rather than the cup half empty. Having said that, we should continue to encourage ALL Victorian Juniors to compete in the Victorian Junior Championship and make it an even better competition year after year.
M
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