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Carc Central Community => News and Events => Topic started by: Jéré on January 13, 2017, 02:35:01 AM

Title: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on January 13, 2017, 02:35:01 AM
Help me to update this list!
If you know when and where the National Carcassonne Championship will be held in your country, please let me know.
Info about qualifier tournaments is also relevant.
Thanks!


(in alphabetical order)

Australia
July 23, MELBOURNE (website (http://tournaments.lfg-aus.com.au/))

Belgium
March 18, KESSEL-LO (
website (https://www.2dehands.be/speelgoed-spelletjes/speelgoed/gezelschapsspellen/bk-carcassonne-2017-327191457.html))

Brazil
Qualifiers:
March --> May (stay tuned...)
Final:
July (stay tuned...)

Canada
Qualifiers:
June 20, Ontario #1 (
link (https://events.snakesandlattes.com/event/carcassonne-2017-qualifier-1/))
July 18, Ontario #2 (
link (https://events.snakesandlattes.com/event/carcassonne-2017-qualifier-2/))
Final:
August 27, Snakes & Lattes College, TORONTO (
link (https://events.snakesandlattes.com/event/carcassonne-finals-2017/))

Chile
Qualifiers:
(stay tuned...)
Final:
August 27

Colombia
August 6,
Biblioteca pública Virgilio Barco (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Biblioteca+P%C3%BAblica+Virgilio+Barco/@4.6572399,-74.0909559,16.5z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x5ad575fb745d822d!8m2!3d4.6570563!4d-74.0884676), BOGOTA (website (http://devir.co/2017/07/12/fecha_lugar_torneo_nacional_carcassonne/))

Czech Republic
October 14-22 (to be confirmed), Deskohraní festival, PRAGUE

Estonia
April 1,
Ülemiste keskus (http://www.ulemiste.ee/en/), TALLINN (info (http://www.brain-games.ee/et/n/carcassonne-meistrivoistlused-1))

France
Qualifiers:
March 24 or 25, LudiNord, LILLE (
website (http://www.ludinord.fr/194-Tournois))
June 24, Paris est Ludique, PARIS (
website (https://sites.google.com/a/parisestludique.fr/paris-est-ludique-2017/)) Cancelled!
Final:
June 25, Paris est Ludique, PARIS (
website (https://sites.google.com/a/parisestludique.fr/paris-est-ludique-2017/)) Cancelled!

Germany
Qualifiers (More info: Deutschen Carcassonne-Meisterschaft (
website (http://carcassonne-meisterschaft.de/de/turniere.htm)):
February 2, Hiespielchen, DINSLAKEN (
website (http://www.hiespielchen.de/))
February 25, Spielelagune Saar, HOMBURG/SAAR (
website (http://www.spielelagune-saar.de/))
March 5, Bremer Spieletage, BREMEN (
webpage (http://www.bremerspieletage.de))
March 31, Game-Point Bietigheim, Bietigheim-Bissingen BIETIGHEIM-BISSINGEN (
website (http://www.gp-bietigheim.de/))
May 13, Bonn-Spielt, BONN (
website (http://www.wilde-zockerei.de/Verein/News/News.html))
May 14, SpieleWahnsinn, HERNE (
website (http://www.spielewahnsinn.de/))
September 10, Spielerei Bergstraße, ZWINGENBERG (
website (http://spielerei-bergstrasse.de/))
September 30, Deggendorfer Spieletage, DEGGENDORF (
website (http://www.kjr-deggendorf.de/))
September 30, BRETT XVII, HAMBURG (
website (http://brett.spielkulturhamburg.de))
October 2, modell-hobby-spiel 2017, LEIPZIG (
website (http://www.ludothek.de/))
October 26, "Last chance tournament", Spiel '17, ESSEN
Final:
October 28, Spiel '17, ESSEN

Hungary
Sept. 16, Pince Klub, BUDAPEST (
FB Event (https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1975362042741468&id=1783630548581286))

Iceland
April 29,
Spilavinir (https://spilavinir.is/), REYKJAVIK (FB Event (https://www.facebook.com/events/750382131803029/))

Italy
Qualifiers:
January 15, Ludicars, REGGIO EMILIA (
website (http://www.boardgameleague.it/calendario_evento.php?evento_id=LUDIC1615012017266937))
January 22, GAME DAY dell'Associazione Ludica il GUFO, ROMA (
website (http://www.boardgameleague.it/calendario_evento.php?evento_id=GUFO1622012017265629))
Final:
April 1 or 2 (to be confirmed), Play 2017, MODENA

Latvia
March 19,
Riga Plaza (http://www.rigaplaza.lv/en/), RIGA

Lithuania
April 22

Malaysia
Qualifiers:
July - September, 14 store locations (more info
here (https://www.facebook.com/notes/meeples-european-boardgame-cafe/carcassonne-world-championship-2017-malaysia-qualifier-my/10155550971812733/))
Final:
October 1,
Meeples Cafe (https://www.meeples.com.my/location.php), KUALA LUMPUR (website (https://www.meeples.com.my/))

Mexico
June (stay tuned...)

Netherlands
March 19, Zuiderspel, VELDHOVEN (
thread (http://www.carcassonnecentral.com/community/index.php?topic=3086.0))(website (http://www.rollthedice.nl/activiteiten/nk-carcassonne/))

Norway
June 25,
Arcon 33 (https://www.spillfestival.no/), OSLO (website (https://www.spillfestival.no/arcon33/turnering.php?id=23))

Poland
Qualifiers:
Listed on this
webpage (http://wydawnictwo.bard.pl/?page_id=742)
Final:
September 30 (date & location to be confirmed) (
website (https://www.facebook.com/CarcassonnePL/?fref=ts))

Portugal
June 4, 2pm,
Centro Comercial Alegro Setúbal (https://goo.gl/maps/DUuP2Ebzt5p), SETUBAL

Russia
18-19 November 2017, Igrokon (Game Con) Event, MOSCOW (
website (http://igrokon.org/))

Spain
Qualifiers:
There should be around 130 regional qualifiers! :o Listed in the
CALENDAR (http://devir.es/calendario/).
Final:
June/July, MADRID (stay tuned...)

Sweden
Qualifiers:
Listed on this
webpage (http://carcassonne.sarz.se/#qualificationevents)
Final:
(date to be confirmed), Dragon's Lair, STOCKHOLM (
website (http://carcassonne.sarz.se/))

United Kingdom
June 4, UK Games Expo, BIRMINGHAM
(webpage) (http://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/game.php?id=BOR2256)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Valheru on January 13, 2017, 03:11:21 AM
The national championship in Belgium is on the 18th of March in Kessel-Lo. Additional information is found here: https://www.2dehands.be/speelgoed-spelletjes/speelgoed/gezelschapsspellen/bk-carcassonne-2017-327191457.html
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on January 13, 2017, 03:58:55 AM
The national championship in Belgium is on the 18th of March in Kessel-Lo. Additional information is found here: https://www.2dehands.be/speelgoed-spelletjes/speelgoed/gezelschapsspellen/bk-carcassonne-2017-327191457.html

Added, thanks!
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: danisthirty on January 13, 2017, 04:31:06 AM
The UK Carcassonne championships will be held at the UK Games Expo in Birmingham running Friday 2nd - Sunday 4th June. There isn't any official information (that I've seen) but the Carcassonne championships are almost always on the Sunday, probably with a 9:30am start. ScottMoore (the events organiser and member here) should know more...
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: kettlefish on January 13, 2017, 04:40:34 AM
The German Championship has some qualifications tournaments also the ranklist tournaments. And the last chance tournament on Thursday 26.10.2017 is the last way to come into the German championship on Saturday 28.10.2017

Here is the link to the homepage. The Herner Spielezentrum has a new homepage for the tournaments. If there are some graphical issues with your browser, please use a smaller view than you can see the headline better. The homepage is still in work - during the next time the issues will be repaired.

Tournaments for German Championship (in German):
http://carcassonne-meisterschaft.de/de/turniere.htm (http://carcassonne-meisterschaft.de/de/turniere.htm)

Carcassonne World Championship (in English) - Sunday 29.10.2017:
http://carcassonne-meisterschaft.de/en/tournaments.htm (http://carcassonne-meisterschaft.de/en/tournaments.htm)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on January 13, 2017, 05:53:10 AM
Thanks Dan and kettlefish!

I'm particularly interested in listing the regional qualifiers as they are the most difficult to find, often hidden in some obscure webpages or facebook events and can easily be missed! If we manage to collectively build a near-exhaustive list that would be great for the community.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: jungleboy on January 21, 2017, 12:43:40 PM
@Chooselife, no news yet on the Portuguese championships? They were in February last year if I recall correctly.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on January 24, 2017, 06:44:38 AM
Added some info for Czech Republic (thanks to Pavel from MINDOK) and some approximate dates for Spain and the Baltic countries.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on January 27, 2017, 12:49:22 AM
Got a message from Paulo (Devir Brasil): No fixed dates yet but he kindly provided some information. Regional qualifiers will be from March through May and the Brazilian National Championship will be held in July. Will update the list as soon as I have more info.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Chooselife on January 27, 2017, 01:09:19 AM
@Chooselife, no news yet on the Portuguese championships? They were in February last year if I recall correctly.
They used to be in September, last year they were in February. Not sure what Devir Portugal is thinking this year as they changed the Catan National from a single day event to a Nation wide qualifiers + National Finals type of tournament.
I'd guess they will be doing something similar with Carcassonne but are checking how it works with Catan first.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: totor66 on January 27, 2017, 02:18:15 AM
Waiting for confirmation but looks like I'll be participating in the qualifier in Bremen !

Hard choice, it was Carcasonne or Dominion, but since last year I chose Dominion, time to change :)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on January 27, 2017, 02:23:05 AM
Waiting for confirmation but looks like I'll be participating in the qualifier in Bremen !

Hard choice, it was Carcasonne or Dominion, but since last year I chose Dominion, time to change :)

Good choice!   :(y) :(y) :(y)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on January 30, 2017, 04:46:48 AM
Another reply came in today: This time Devir Spain!  :red-meeple: :yellow-meeple: :red-meeple:

I quote:

Quote
In Devir Spain, we haven't decided the dates yet, but we are working to organize it on June/July 2017 in Madrid.

I'll let you know as soon as we have the final date and place.

I've also sent your mail to my collegues in other countries.

Muchas gracias!  :(y)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: MrNumbers on January 30, 2017, 10:33:02 PM
Added some approximate dates for the Baltic countries.
Latvian National Carcassonne tournament's date is 19.03.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on January 30, 2017, 11:21:20 PM
Thanks, I added the date. Once you know other bits of info (location, webpage/fb event, etc.) please let me know.  :(y)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: MrNumbers on January 30, 2017, 11:40:17 PM
Thanks, I added the date. Once you know other bits of info (location, webpage/fb event, etc.) please let me know.  :(y)
For now I know only location - shopping center Riga Plaza (http://www.rigaplaza.lv/en/). Other info will be known later.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: danisthirty on February 03, 2017, 09:36:42 AM
The UK Carcassonne championships will be held at the UK Games Expo in Birmingham running Friday 2nd - Sunday 4th June. There isn't any official information (that I've seen) but the Carcassonne championships are almost always on the Sunday, probably with a 9:30am start. ScottMoore (the events organiser and member here) should know more...

The UK tournament will be organised by Mike Dixon of Halesowen Boardgamers. I have dropped him an email to ask for confirmation of date/ time and also if the structure will be the same as it has been in previous years (i.e. 3 rounds of 4-player games). I will post here if/ when I get a response with any news to share.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: danisthirty on February 11, 2017, 09:28:38 AM
I've just had an email from Mike Dixon of Halesowen Boardgamers, who is jointly responsible for the running of the UK Carcassonne champions this year:

Hi Dan,
 
To give you a bit of an update, the majority of the boardgame tournaments went live on the UK Games Expo website last night and the date for the Carcassonne National Championship is confirmed as Sunday 4th June starting at 9am.  As for the format this has pretty much been dictated to us by Esdevium and we will have to follow their structure (they sponsor the event, supply the games and represent the company who makes it).  We’ve been asked to run 3 preliminary rounds of four player games from which the top 8 qualify for the semi finals, two 4 player games with the winner of each semi final advancing to a 2 player final.  I personally think that is a bit of a backwards step for the competitive players so I’ve highlighted this to the people who talk with the sponsors to see if we can change this, although I’m not sure how likely that will be.  Nevertheless I hope you can still support the event and anything you can do to help promote the event throughout the Carcassonne community will be greatly received.
 
Kind Regards,
Mike


I'm very disappointed at this decision from Esdevium games. I can't say I'd ever really heard of them before they became a sponsor for the UK Games Expo but it frustrates me that they get to call the shots on something that they clearly have very little knowledge of. Any consultation with virtually anyone who enjoys playing Carcassonne competitively (and this is for a competition) will confirm that as a game it is far more enjoyable and less luck-based with 2 players. I can't quite fathom why they would reduce the number of 2-player games from the previous format, but I'm so annoyed by it all that I might not even enter. All I can think of is that it might somehow generate more money for them as a 4-player?

So what now? Well, I don't know if it will make any difference but I intend to find contact details for someone at Esdevium and let them know how disappointed I am. I would urge others to do the same if they are as bothered by this as I am. Or even if you're not. Please post your thoughts here all the same and I'll pass them on in my email... >:(
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Decar on February 11, 2017, 09:56:08 AM
Please pass on any email addresses you find Dan.  The UK has a responsibility to find the best player in the country to enter the Finals, held in Germany.  The format of the final should be considered or replicated as closely as possible.  This sounds like a very backward step, compared to previous years as it relies more on 4-player games than the 2-player format, held everywhere else.

The only consolation I can see, is rather than entering and spending the entire day playing Carcassonne, I'll be able to walk around and see some of the innovations being demonstrated on the UK Expo; something I've had no time to do last time we attended.  I'd be happy to stop and play a few games with you or anyone else from the forum though!
Title: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on February 11, 2017, 12:22:48 PM
Absolutely. Sucks for you guys. If their objective is just to send one poor UK guy without any proper preparation for the World Championship to be slaughtered in Essen then the proposed format will do the job! Very shortsighted, it's the least I can say...
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: danisthirty on February 11, 2017, 12:45:35 PM
It's more than shortsighted, it's blind! We might as well be playing a different game. Next year the UK's best Carcassonne player will be determined by a 50-player game of Snakes and Ladders.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Decar on February 11, 2017, 02:51:23 PM
TBH I'd probably have a higher chance of winning that
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Merlin_89 on February 12, 2017, 06:22:36 AM
Commiseration to you Dan! And I thought that Polish format was awful! Join the club! At least we play 4-player game only until final 8/16 is set.

I can only expect, you'll held advanced 4-player League to train for all of this. I'd love that, as I bombed last year in Polish Championships because apparently I suck at "family" Carcassonne.

PS It annoys me that Poland has no details on 2017 Championships, but I hope nothing changed and we play extended elimination process throughout summer with main event set for September (I guess our winner is always as fresh and ready for Essen as one could be...:D).
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Halfling on February 12, 2017, 11:12:12 AM
4 player practise sounds like the order of the day. How about a game cafe meeting somewhere in uk?
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: asparagus on February 16, 2017, 04:33:35 AM
Strangely the organiser of the UK 2017 Carcassonne championship is listed as "MSO". So I don't know what's going on.

Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Willem on February 16, 2017, 05:54:09 AM
4 player practise sounds like the order of the day. How about a game cafe meeting somewhere in uk?
I'm in for that ;) Just hold our own :P
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: danisthirty on February 16, 2017, 06:28:22 AM
I just saw this (http://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/game.php?id=BOR2256):


Game Description
The Carcassonne National Championship will consist of 4-player games. Each player will play three games in the preliminary rounds, which will be followed by a quarter-final round where the top 8 players play one 2-player game each. The winners of these games proceed to the semi-final round, once again 2-player games, with the two winners going head-to-head in the final.


If this is accurate, the format will be exactly the same as last year. Which would be good. I don't know if this was just a copy/ paste job rather than actual information, but I'd hope that it would have been finalised by the time it's put on the website and tickets are made available.

4 player practise sounds like the order of the day. How about a game cafe meeting somewhere in uk?
I'm in for that ;) Just hold our own :P

Depending on who is available and how many of us there are, I'd be happy to go for a 4-player basic game as part of the weekly game (http://www.carcassonnecentral.com/community/index.php?topic=1041.msg46979#msg46979) tonight...
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: ScottMoore on February 16, 2017, 09:43:15 AM
Hi Dan, are you sure that Mike Dixon is from Halesowen Boardgamers? I go there most weeks and I've never heard of him! A good person to contact at Esdevium Games may be Mike Budd - I believe he is in overall charge of their presence at the UK Games Expo and is, in my experience, a friendly guy who goes out of his way to help even though he is extremely busy:
mike@esdeviumgames.com
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: asparagus on February 16, 2017, 02:04:45 PM
I just saw this (http://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/game.php?id=BOR2256):

Look at column 2  here:
http://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/bookevents.php?category=bor (http://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/bookevents.php?category=bor)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: danisthirty on February 16, 2017, 02:39:59 PM
Hi Dan, are you sure that Mike Dixon is from Halesowen Boardgamers?

Nope, not sure at all. But I was kind of passed between a few people in the email chain so it wouldn't surprise me if I got confused about who was connected with who along the way.

Thanks for the email address, I'll drop him an email. It seems a shame to move back to what I'm certain will be an unpopular format after all your efforts to involve us with previous tournaments and change things for the better Scott. Will hopefully be able to catch up with you at some point over the weekend.

I just saw this (http://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/game.php?id=BOR2256):

Look at column 2  here:
http://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/bookevents.php?category=bor (http://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/bookevents.php?category=bor)

Thanks for the link asparagus. Not sure what MSO stands for here.

Have you bought your ticket yet? Will your daughter (Julia?) be playing too? Looking forward to catching up with you both on the day... :) :(y)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: asparagus on February 16, 2017, 02:53:39 PM
Thanks for the link asparagus. Not sure what MSO stands for here.

My best guess is "Mind Sports Olympiad" but that is a guess. Probly wrong.

Have you bought your ticket yet? Will your daughter (Julia?) be playing too? Looking forward to catching up with you both on the day... :) :(y)

Yes, just bought the tickets.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: ScottMoore on February 17, 2017, 07:12:11 AM
Yes, MSO is the Mind Sports Olympiad. I hadn't heard of them before I found out that they would be in overall charge of the board game tournaments at this year's Expo. They've been running international Carcassonne championships since 2004. However, I suspect that they've been largely 4-player games as there is little consistency in the results - only one player has won the tournament more than once, and the top 3 players tend to be totally different from year to year
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: asparagus on February 17, 2017, 12:35:52 PM
Looking forward to catching up with you both on the day... :) :(y)

That raises a question. Why don't we try to organise some sort of meetup on the Friday or Saturday organised through this forum? Some corner of the convention where we can play games. Or has someone already done that and I've been away?

Yes, MSO is the Mind Sports Olympiad.
Thanks. So a little game I won, thanks to Google.  :yellow-meeple:
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: danisthirty on February 17, 2017, 01:30:38 PM
Looking forward to catching up with you both on the day... :) :(y)

That raises a question. Why don't we try to organise some sort of meetup on the Friday or Saturday organised through this forum? Some corner of the convention where we can play games. Or has someone already done that and I've been away?

That sounds like a good plan, but sadly I wouldn't  be able to attend as I normally only travel up on the Sunday morning. I'm sure there would be others from CarcC who might be available though...
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Uhome on March 01, 2017, 03:52:45 PM
The UK Carcassonne championships will be held at the UK Games Expo in Birmingham running Friday 2nd - Sunday 4th June. There isn't any official information (that I've seen) but the Carcassonne championships are almost always on the Sunday, probably with a 9:30am start. ScottMoore (the events organiser and member here) should know more...

Hi all. May I know if ScottMoore is still this year's organiser for the events in UKGE? or it has changed to MSO?
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: MrNumbers on March 02, 2017, 01:38:37 AM
Estonia
01.04.2017, Ülemiste keskus (http://www.ulemiste.ee/en/).

Source (http://www.brain-games.ee/et/n/carcassonne-meistrivoistlused-1)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: danisthirty on March 02, 2017, 02:04:50 AM
Estonia
01.04.2017, Ülemiste keskus (http://www.ulemiste.ee/en/).

Source (http://www.brain-games.ee/et/n/carcassonne-meistrivoistlused-1)

:(y) Thanks for the info MrNumbers!
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on March 02, 2017, 05:18:51 AM
Estonia
01.04.2017, Ülemiste keskus (http://www.ulemiste.ee/en/).

Source (http://www.brain-games.ee/et/n/carcassonne-meistrivoistlused-1)

Thanks MrNumbers! You're faster than the guy from Brain Games I've been in contact with!

Also added some preliminary info about the Chilian championship (date is known at least).

Finally, Eira from Devir Spain told me that she will keep the
Calendar (http://devir.es/calendario/) on their website up-to-date. Last year they organised 130 regional qualifiers so if you are from Spain, there must be one near you!
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on March 04, 2017, 05:38:03 AM
Lithuanian Championship will be on April 22. Thanks to Edgars (Brain Games).
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on March 20, 2017, 02:19:46 AM
Australian National Championship will be held on July 23rd in Melbourne.

All details here: http://tournaments.lfg-aus.com.au

Many thanks to Joshua (LFG) for the info.  :(y)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Xanderx12 on April 01, 2017, 04:24:52 AM
Today is my big day, give me all your meeples guys! <3 (Chile, Warpig-games)  :blue-meeple:
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: danisthirty on April 01, 2017, 05:01:56 AM
Today is my big day, give me all your meeples guys! <3 (Chile, Warpig-games)  :blue-meeple:

Good luck! :(y)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: danisthirty on April 01, 2017, 12:56:06 PM
How did it go Xanderx12? We expect a full write-up you know! ;)

(oh, and welcome to the forums too!)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Merlin_89 on April 23, 2017, 03:26:33 PM
Finally, with relief, I can pass information that Polish Carcassonne Championships has been announced! First quallies took place last Saturday, and eliminations should finish its course in the middle of September (as of now 17th). Date and place of The Final is still to be announced.

http://wydawnictwo.bard.pl/?page_id=742
https://www.facebook.com/CarcassonnePL/?fref=ts

Everything looks the same, lots of qualifying events will take place, even more organizers can still show up and held the event. They kept same rules... I can almost be certain that my biggest rivals will show up. Yearly routine...

Love it, hate it, new year, new expectation. In the meantime, I hope to play lots of quality 3 and 4-players games here on Central. It's my biggest flaw in the game... and obstacle, I simply need to overcome. 2-player? Thank God for the League! But it's always fun to take more challenges!

Lots of Carcassonne ahead of me...
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on May 12, 2017, 03:02:30 AM
Added Portugal! Thanks to Rodolfo from Devir in Portugal!  :(y)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: jungleboy on May 12, 2017, 03:25:48 AM
Added Portugal! Thanks to Rodolfo from Devir in Portugal!  :(y)

Thanks for finding this out Jéré. Unfortunately I will miss it as I'll be in Spain that day.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on May 12, 2017, 03:34:02 AM
Added Portugal! Thanks to Rodolfo from Devir in Portugal!  :(y)

Thanks for finding this out Jéré. Unfortunately I will miss it as I'll be in Spain that day.

Pity! Hopefully Chooselife will manage to go again this year and let us know how it was.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Chooselife on May 12, 2017, 06:44:26 AM
Added Portugal! Thanks to Rodolfo from Devir in Portugal!  :(y)

Thanks Jéré, I was waiting their feedback to my messages and no official FB post was done, that I noticed.

Now, it will be quite difficult for me to go, I'm arriving late evening on the 3rd, after five days in Moldova with my football team, we'll only play one match so the rest will be partying.

If my wife doesn't have the divorce papers at the airport arrivals, she will sure get them if I ask her leave to spend the very next on the Carcassonne Championship.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D O0

Title: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on May 12, 2017, 07:05:13 AM
Haha merde...  I understand...

This year the Dutch and Belgian championships were the same weekend but different days, and only one day was approved... "too much Carcassonne" she said.  ;D

Enjoy Moldova! Apparently the wine is not bad over there.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Decar on May 27, 2017, 08:47:48 AM
I'm not able to make the UK Championships AGAIN this year.  I have a friend coming from America, so won't be attending.

I will be able to attend the Expo on Friday, so will be planning on traveling up to the event in the morning.  Not sure if anyone else will be there, but might be nice to catch up, if you are.  I've not got any plans for the day, so will be wandering around and checking the flea-market.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: pointgiven on May 29, 2017, 12:38:01 PM
2017 Canadian National Championship:

Ontario Regional Qualifier #1: https://events.snakesandlattes.com/event/carcassonne-2017-qualifier-1/
Ontario Regional Qualifier #2: https://events.snakesandlattes.com/event/carcassonne-2017-qualifier-2/
National Championship: https://events.snakesandlattes.com/event/carcassonne-finals-2017/


Standard Tournament Rules: https://www.snakesandlattes.com/uploads/CarcassonneRules2017.pdf

The two top players from each Snakes & Lattes Regional Qualifier will be provided admission to the Finals, held at Snakes & Lattes College on August 27.

Attendance for the qualifiers is limited to 16 participants.


Regional Qualifiers across Canada will determine participation in the National Finals of the tournament, held at Snakes & Lattes College on August 27. The winner of the National Championship will represent Canada at the World Championship in Essen, Germany. Asmodee Canada will provide airfare, hotel arrangements, and a convention badge for the participant.


(Sorry, I can't find any information for Regional Qualifiers outside of Toronto, Ontario).
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on May 30, 2017, 09:02:24 AM
2017 Canadian National Championship:

Ontario Regional Qualifier #1: https://events.snakesandlattes.com/event/carcassonne-2017-qualifier-1/
Ontario Regional Qualifier #2: https://events.snakesandlattes.com/event/carcassonne-2017-qualifier-2/
National Championship: https://events.snakesandlattes.com/event/carcassonne-finals-2017/


Standard Tournament Rules: https://www.snakesandlattes.com/uploads/CarcassonneRules2017.pdf

The two top players from each Snakes & Lattes Regional Qualifier will be provided admission to the Finals, held at Snakes & Lattes College on August 27.

Attendance for the qualifiers is limited to 16 participants.


Regional Qualifiers across Canada will determine participation in the National Finals of the tournament, held at Snakes & Lattes College on August 27. The winner of the National Championship will represent Canada at the World Championship in Essen, Germany. Asmodee Canada will provide airfare, hotel arrangements, and a convention badge for the participant.


(Sorry, I can't find any information for Regional Qualifiers outside of Toronto, Ontario).

Thanks for all this valuable info! Canada is now added to the list!  :red-meeple: :white-meeple: :red-meeple:
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Halfling on June 04, 2017, 11:03:53 AM
Did anyone pop along to the UK event?
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: danisthirty on June 04, 2017, 01:43:40 PM
I was really sorry to have to miss it this year. Made it to the Expo for a few hours but couldn't have got there in time for the Carc tournament :( :(n). Keen to hear how others got on though...
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: jazbang on June 05, 2017, 07:11:44 AM
Hello.

Numbers slightly down on previous years at the UK championships, could be due to there being more tournaments going on at the same sort of time - I know of a couple of previous Carcassonne entrants who were off doing Catan or Ticket To Ride instead. Don't think they used to be at the same time. Dan notable by his absence, as was Andrew who won last year.

Anyway, I reckon there were 43 entrants, same format as previous years - admin side of it seemed much better organised this year. Personally, I was a losing semi finallist - I'd got a 1st, a joint 1st and a 2nd in the 4 player games, which was enough to be seeded 2 for the knock-outs, I won the quarter final mainly thanks to drawing ALL of the cloisters, and managing to complete 5 of them, but was ultimately beaten in my next game by an 18 year old called Julia 114-107.  I don't know who won the final, because I sulked off to the main trade hall. :)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: danisthirty on June 05, 2017, 07:40:54 AM
Hello.

Numbers slightly down on previous years at the UK championships, could be due to there being more tournaments going on at the same sort of time - I know of a couple of previous Carcassonne entrants who were off doing Catan or Ticket To Ride instead. Don't think they used to be at the same time. Dan notable by his absence, as was Andrew who won last year.

Anyway, I reckon there were 43 entrants, same format as previous years - admin side of it seemed much better organised this year. Personally, I was a losing semi finallist - I'd got a 1st, a joint 1st and a 2nd in the 4 player games, which was enough to be seeded 2 for the knock-outs, I won the quarter final mainly thanks to drawing ALL of the cloisters, and managing to complete 5 of them, but was ultimately beaten in my next game by an 18 year old called Julia 114-107.  I don't know who won the final, because I sulked off to the main trade hall. :)

Thanks for the update James, and congratulations on getting so far.

Julia is the daughter of one of the members here (asparagus) and I knew she was very good. I messaged him yesterday evening and was delighted to see that she reached the final! Unfortunately she didn't win this match, so I don't know who the eventual winner was either. I half wondered if it might have been you or Andrew again...

I was really looking forward to going, but we've had a pretty stressful time of it at home lately and my wife needed a break. So we went to a fancy hotel for most of Saturday, but didn't check out in time on Sunday morning to get to the tournament. We did have a good few hours looking around the expo though and got plenty of games (mostly for the kids).

I need to catch up with you sometime so you can teach me your secrets and learn to win as many 4-player games as you! Congrats again on your achievement.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: jazbang on June 06, 2017, 07:53:27 AM
There's no great secret, I practice 4 player games on the app against the 3 toughest computer opponents, and if I can't do anything nice to myself - I do something horrible to somebody else.

I think the other player in the final's name was Ven.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: danisthirty on June 06, 2017, 07:59:53 AM
There's no great secret, I practice 4 player games on the app against the 3 toughest computer opponents, and if I can't do anything nice to myself - I do something horrible to somebody else.

I think the other player in the final's name was Ven.

Sounds like good advice. :) I'll keep trying and hope that next year is my lucky year...

Yes, apparently it was Lim Ven Gee who you beat in the quarter final in 2015. He was pretty good; I'm sure he'll do well at the worlds.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on June 14, 2017, 08:20:55 AM
Bad news...  :o due to the acquisition of French publisher Filosofia by Asmodee, French Carcassonne Championship will NOT be held in Paris on June 25, like the previous years...

I am currently trying to figure out if it's cancelled or just postponed...  :o

We'll go to Paris anyway because Grabushka bought concert tickets but that's definitely a huge bummer.  :(
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Decar on June 14, 2017, 08:23:56 AM
Still on the plus side - if it is cancelled and there is no 2017 attendee at Essen, the previous champion may stand in their place  >:D >:D >:D
Title: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on June 14, 2017, 08:28:43 AM
Still on the plus side - if it is cancelled and there is no 2017 attendee at Essen, the previous champion may stand in their place  >:D >:D >:D

I really have no idea if such thing is possible... but I would take the spot, though I have ZERO expectations and treat this as very unlikely at the moment...
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on June 15, 2017, 02:57:13 AM
Just added Norway and Sweden to the list! Good luck!
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on June 26, 2017, 08:22:31 AM
So yesterday I spoke with an Asmodee representative at "Paris est ludique"... and revealed that they are currently working on organizing an event in the city of Carcassonne itself, where the French Championship would be held, probably in September. But he added that it is still a big MAYBE and that nothing is sure... could be that nothing happends. We have to wait for the announcement.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Carcassonner on July 13, 2017, 05:49:02 AM
In Russia this year there will be no national championship :-[
Perhaps, under the pressure of the unfortunate funs of Carcassonne, the publisher will change his mind, but I doubt.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Decar on July 13, 2017, 06:17:41 AM
This is terrible news, especially after last year's result!
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: danisthirty on July 13, 2017, 07:41:22 AM
That's a shame indeed.

If it was a problem with money then I'm sure it could be solved by them selling a few of their new promo tiles to help fund it!
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Decar on July 13, 2017, 10:03:10 AM
+100 to that  :(y)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: jma03 on July 13, 2017, 02:20:33 PM
This weekend the national championship of my country (Spain) is played in the same hotel and city (Madrid)
Last year there were 145 participants but I remember badly.This year will be around that number.
There are 3 rounds of 4 players played and the top ranked players move to the final round.
I hope to spend a pleasant and entertaining experience like last year.
I will inform you of what happened soon.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Carcassonner on July 13, 2017, 11:47:02 PM
That's a shame indeed.

If it was a problem with money then I'm sure it could be solved by them selling a few of their new promo tiles to help fund it!


Unfortunately, our publisher organizes national championships only during the Igrokon (Game Con) Event.
This year, the Igrokon will be held in mid-November, after Spiel'17  :'(
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on July 14, 2017, 01:54:00 AM
That's a shame indeed.

If it was a problem with money then I'm sure it could be solved by them selling a few of their new promo tiles to help fund it!



Unfortunately, our publisher organizes national championships only during the Igrokon (Game Con) Event.
This year, the Igrokon will be held in mid-November, after Spiel'17  :'(

It's really a pity... at least there is a logical explanation to this.  ::)  I hope to see you in Essen this year (not sure yet if I will manage to come). И если ты хочешь посетить наш город Хертогенбос, будь нашим гостем. (Edit: You also MrNumbers)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on July 14, 2017, 02:13:58 AM
Added Malaysia and Russia to the list (http://www.carcassonnecentral.com/community/index.php?topic=3087.msg45791#msg45791).
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: MrNumbers on July 14, 2017, 05:19:19 AM
И если ты хочешь посетить наш город Хертогенбос, будь нашим гостем. (Edit: You also MrNumbers)
:(y) Спасибо, буду иметь в виду! В свою очередь, знайте, что в Риге вам тоже всегда рады ;)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on July 20, 2017, 02:33:33 AM
Added Colombia to the list (http://www.carcassonnecentral.com/community/index.php?topic=3087.msg45791#msg45791)! It will be on Sunday August 6 in Bogotá.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on August 07, 2017, 12:12:25 AM
I have updated info about Malaysia. Note that the final is now on October 1st.
Also one hyperlink was incorrect (my sincere apologies!). Now it's fixed.

They have this great page with all the info, also about qualifiers. Check it out!  :(y)
https://www.facebook.com/notes/meeples-european-boardgame-cafe/carcassonne-world-championship-2017-malaysia-qualifier-my/10155550971812733/

Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Leven on August 29, 2017, 05:09:42 AM
This year's Hungarian Championships will take place on Saturday, September 16th (Pince Klub, Budapest).
And this time, the winner will qualify to the World Championships in Essen. :)
More infos
here (https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1975362042741468&id=1783630548581286) (in Hungarian).
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: danisthirty on August 29, 2017, 06:07:06 AM
This year's Hungarian Championships will take place on Saturday, September 16th (Pince Klub, Budapest).
And this time, the winner will qualify to the World Championships in Essen. :)
More infos here (https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1975362042741468&id=1783630548581286) (in Hungarian).

I take it you will be taking part again Leven? Good luck if you are!
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Leven on August 29, 2017, 12:25:29 PM
This year's Hungarian Championships will take place on Saturday, September 16th (Pince Klub, Budapest).
And this time, the winner will qualify to the World Championships in Essen. :)
More infos here (https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1975362042741468&id=1783630548581286) (in Hungarian).

I take it you will be taking part again Leven? Good luck if you are!
That's the plan. Thank you, Dan.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: CardmasterLu on August 31, 2017, 01:22:08 PM
Help me to update this list!
If you know when and where the National Carcassonne Championship will be held in your country, please let me know.
Info about qualifier tournaments is also relevant.
Thanks!


(in alphabetical order)

Brazil
Qualifiers:
March --> May (stay tuned...)
Final:
July (stay tuned...)

Hi team, How can I help you guys to improve the Brazillian tournament informations?
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on August 31, 2017, 02:34:04 PM
Help me to update this list!
If you know when and where the National Carcassonne Championship will be held in your country, please let me know.
Info about qualifier tournaments is also relevant.
Thanks!


(in alphabetical order)

Brazil
Qualifiers:
March --> May (stay tuned...)
Final:
July (stay tuned...)

Hi team, How can I help you guys to improve the Brazillian tournament informations?

Hi CardmasterLu,

I have a contact at Devir Brasil and the last info I have received was in February. In my reply I requested the detail as soon as it is available but no news since then. I should have sent a reminder few weeks/months later... sorry about that.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on August 31, 2017, 02:47:41 PM
This year's Hungarian Championships will take place on Saturday, September 16th (Pince Klub, Budapest).
And this time, the winner will qualify to the World Championships in Essen. :)
More infos here (https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1975362042741468&id=1783630548581286) (in Hungarian).

Thanks Leven. Added Hungary to the
list (http://www.carcassonnecentral.com/community/index.php?topic=3087.msg45791#msg45791)!

I think it will be Hungary's first appearance at the World Championship.  :(y)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Leven on September 01, 2017, 05:54:13 AM
This year's Hungarian Championships will take place on Saturday, September 16th (Pince Klub, Budapest).
And this time, the winner will qualify to the World Championships in Essen. :)
More infos here (https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1975362042741468&id=1783630548581286) (in Hungarian).

Thanks Leven. Added Hungary to the
list (http://www.carcassonnecentral.com/community/index.php?topic=3087.msg45791#msg45791)!

I think it will be Hungary's first appearance at the World Championship.  :(y)

There were Hungarian participants in previous years (last time in
2014 (http://www.spielezentrum.de/Carcassonne/CC-2014Engl/E-CCWC2014-finals.html); in 2010 (http://www.spielezentrum.de/Carcassonne/CC-2010ENGL/e-cc-finals10wm.html) there were two players from Hungary; the best result may have been a 5th place from 2013 (http://www.spielezentrum.de/Carcassonne/CC-2013Engl/E-CCWC2013-finals.html)).
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Merlin_89 on September 13, 2017, 03:27:32 AM
Small update from Poland. Final will take place on Saturday, 30th of September. I've already planned my yearly trip to Cracow. Keep fingers crossed!
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Jéré on September 13, 2017, 06:03:16 AM
Small update from Poland. Final will take place on Saturday, 30th of September. I've already planned my yearly trip to Cracow. Keep fingers crossed!

I updated the date, thanks.  Let us know how it went after! Good luck!!!
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Leven on September 17, 2017, 03:24:51 PM
Yesterday the Hungarian qualifier event for the World Championships took place. I was there and... finished 2nd just like at last year's competition.

I started the day with a one-point defeat to a former champion in a quite unlucky game where I drew LOTS of roads (among them, all 8 RFRF tiles). Then my luck turned, and could win my other 4 games in the preliminary stage (one of them was a very close game against last year's winner), so I reached the semi-final. There I was facing the same opponent who had beaten me in the 1st round. This time I could take a revenge, winning the game by 1 point (!) with some lucky tiles in the end. :P So I reached the final, but there my opponent (Gábor) was clearly the better and more focused player, he won deservedly and now he can start planning his trip to Essen.

Interestingly we had to play by the 2nd edition farmer scoring rules (i.e. each city could only be scored once by a player). :o The organizer of the event told us that this is how they play at the World Championships so we should play by the same rules. Is that true? Are the 2nd edition rules in effect at the WC? I doubt that.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: MrNumbers on September 17, 2017, 11:20:34 PM
Interestingly we had to play by the 2nd edition farmer scoring rules (i.e. each city could only be scored once by a player). :o The organizer of the event told us that this is how they play at the World Championships so we should play by the same rules. Is that true? Are the 2nd edition rules in effect at the WC? I doubt that.
Definitely not! WC uses 3rd edition of farming rules, so your organizer is clearly wrong.

So, you are in one boat with me, Leven :) I always take 2-3 place, but never could win the Nationals. Still, I will visit Essen also this year in hope to be lucky again to take a part in WC as reserve player. And you can do the same, by the way! ;)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: danisthirty on September 18, 2017, 12:39:53 AM
Congratulations on your 2nd place Leven. I'm sure it is not the position you would have preferred but it's still a great achievement!

How ridiculous that the tournament would use 2nd edition farming! I hope it didn't put you off your game too much though. Did anybody else comment on this? Also, how did the previous years champion do this year?
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Decar on September 18, 2017, 12:43:26 AM
The official rules for the world Championships are published here:

http://carcassonne-meisterschaft.de/en/tournament.htm
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Leven on September 18, 2017, 05:39:44 AM
Congratulations on your 2nd place Leven. I'm sure it is not the position you would have preferred but it's still a great achievement!

Thank you, Dan. Actually, this has been a very good tournament for me, it could have ended much worse considering how close most of the games were.

How ridiculous that the tournament would use 2nd edition farming! I hope it didn't put you off your game too much though. Did anybody else comment on this? Also, how did the previous years champion do this year?

It was surprising to everyone but we accepted it as it was told us that this was the official championship rule.
Last year's champion didn't go to the semis this time as she lost two games out of five, and she also had a draw.
By the way, can a game end in a draw at the World Championship? Do both players get half victory points then?
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Decar on September 18, 2017, 05:50:24 AM
According to the link above the Buchholz_System (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buchholz_system) is used:

Quote
The method is to give each player a raw score of one point for each win and a half point for each draw. When used as an alternate scoring system, each player's Buchholz score is calculated by adding the raw scores of each of the opponents he played and multiplying this total by the player's raw score (Hooper & Whyld 1992). When used for tie-breaking among players with the same raw score, no multiplying is necessary and the sum of the raw scores of the opponents played is used to break ties (Golombek 1977). When used as a tie-break system, it is equivalent to the Solkoff system.

I'm not sure that makes things any clearer!
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: MrNumbers on September 18, 2017, 06:20:12 AM
By the way, can a game end in a draw at the World Championship? Do both players get half victory points then?
Yes, draw is possible at WC. Both players get 0.5 points.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: danisthirty on September 18, 2017, 06:30:16 AM
By the way, can a game end in a draw at the World Championship? Do both players get half victory points then?
Yes, draw is possible at WC. Both players get 0.5 points.

And in a tie break, a draw against someone who bas won all their other games is mire valuabke than a draw against someone who hasn't. Which makes sense.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Merlin_89 on October 03, 2017, 07:00:24 AM
I owe you recap of the event that took place last Saturday - Polish Carcassonne Championships 2017

It was long and intensive day for me. Fortunately, this year I planned whole weekend in Cracow, I arrived day early, and for the first time, I was reasonably well-rested on big day.

Event was held in Centre of Modern Art "Solvay" and was scheduled to start at noon. I came just in time, and quickly realized that building was full of hardcore Carcassonne fans! I was astonished to hear that 86 from over 200 qualified came to participate! Bard, the publisher was prepared to such a feat, they reserved more space for games, as 22 tables were needed for first round of gameplay.

It took some time to break participants into 4-players tables, but finally we started. I always state how uncomfortable I feel at 4-players game, and nothing changed, especially after my blow out from last year. And first game is tricky, because participants are divided randomly, you can easily find yourself in death table. But it turned out that I had biggest experience at the table, I was also puzzled by one of my opponents who apparently suffered from hangover (or maybe he only posed like he did)... I knew that it was important to start well, and somehow I delivered! 1st place, 3 big points, 81 small points. I was relieved, but pressure was still on, 3 big points meant that I will play 2nd game at the table with players who won their game as well.

And it turned out to be my most challenging game! Things happened that you don't want to happen when playing 4-players... I was sidetracked, my opponents finished city without me. I lost on farm. 4th place, 0 big points (I lost 11 points to tied 1st place, and 3 to the 3rd). Did I mentioned that 3rd place took some 9/10 year old? My self-confidence went down.

I went down in ranking, next game I played at 10th table, which meant, I was well below qualifying 16. However during that round, it was decided that due to large attendance, there would be FINAL 32! It meant huge relief but I quickly realized, that I needed to take grip on myself, and score good places. I don't remember third game that well. I thought I was going well, but I ended with 2nd place, and 2 big points, 64 small.

Fourth game, things got closer to the end. I advanced to 8th table, and I met my dear foe/friend Tomasz Preuss. He was in similar situation, things got complicated for us more than we would have wanted... But game was successful for us, we played and I felt we had understanding to cooperate to some degree. In this manner we finished rather big city, which gave us lead. Then we played separately.  I had lots of luck picking cloisters, but in the end Tomek won. 2nd place, 2 big points, 83 small.

Fifth game, nothing was set, I needed to score some points to advance, I didn't know how many, 1, 2, 3? I played on 7th table - on the edge of success and failure. We started and that game ended up as my calmest. I had lead from the beginning, I scored things. I won, 1st place, 3 big points, 61 small.

I didn't need to check any fixtures,  10 big points guaranteed me FINAL 32. Place was unimportant... It was best moment for me whole day, I overcame my stress and hurdle that cost me that much last year! In the end, I was 14th! Quite safely in 32, but not necessarily... it turned out that 9 points were also enough for Q, and 1 person with 8 points qualified as well (most small points). Crazy how close it is to say goodbye to the tournament... And Tomek Preuss (3-time Champion) was 29th with 9 points... Carcassonne is a tricky game.

It took nearly 5 hours to advance to the Play-offs, Last 32. We took 30 minutes break for dinner. And we returned to play most important games of the evening.

Last 32 match was easy task, I took lead, and drove away... I do that sometimes, and it's the best feeling, when pressure is off, game shapes well, and control is yours. It was that game. 135-98.

Last 16 match was sort of flashback, I played guy, I won with in Warsaw qualis final last year. He remembered me clearly, and stated that this time, it's going to be different thing... It wasn't! I was in total control, and I blocked 2 of his meeples early, he was vulnerable, and then I didn't leave him any chances. That's the game... 127-73.

Quater-finals... Remember that quy from my first game? The one with hangover? He waited for me here! I was puzzled by him, but he was clearly different Carcassonne player. He played hazardously and it paid off. I played my game but he kept coming back with big completed features, I could do nothing about. In the end he risked all on picking CCCC, he had large city, and he decided to lock it by himself, and wait for the one tile. I knew I had problems, that city would give him 24 points. 50-50 situation. Tile was nowhere to be seen, I could play my best game, but that tile was hanging there. I acquired small lead, when tile has come up... He picked it. OH MY... I thought tournament ended for me. I had under 20 tiles to fix it, and I DID IT. I don't know how but some farms and cloisters probably helped. 121-115.

Semis... Another flashback, veterans practically dominated Play-offs. I played with Joanna Owczarek from Warsaw, we played 2 years ago in quallies final. I won there. This game was a hurdle from the beginning, she blocked my 2 meeples (8 points cloister and road)... Game was full challenge from that point, I fought hard, but she was ahead, she kept closing things, she had advantage. But I closed some of that gap, and luckily took farm with last tile of the game. We didn't know who won... Counting points revealed, she won... with 1 POINT. What can I say, Carcassonne is tricky. I was really close, and still, not enough to clinch final. 102-103.

3rd place game. I still had this game, I wanted to end this day on high note! It was clearly different game to play. It was totally head to head game. None of could grab considerable lead. I blocked him once, but it didn't slow him. In the end game was decided by farms, we splitted them, but if he merged them, he would take it all. Cloisters played well to my advantage and I won. 89-85. I won my last game of the day and it matters for me a lot!

I took 3 hours, but event was over... We could cherish our victories, and mourn failures. But in Poland winner is apparently one, Tomek Preuss. He apparently quite easily dispatched Joanna in final. She made some mistake, Tomek took advantage and blocked 2 of hers meeples, later he could safely control the game. Well done, Tomasz, I applaud!

We were decorated with diplomas and more than satisfactory prizes, Tomek took another trophy. It was after 8pm. Eight hours of gameplay! Longest finals ever! I was so happy I had planned another day in Cracow, and was in no rush... Tomek, Joanna Nitka (Tomek's partner and also great Carcassonne player, 4th after 4-player), Kuba, Łukasz and me decided to use the night and have fun in beautiful city of Cracow. We were tired, hungry, so we drank and dined, and celebrated our victories. After all, in the mix, because of Carcassonne you get to know each other and make friends.

Video from the event:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItLcuUVBLUE&feature=em-share_video_user

Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/CarcassonnePL/photos/?tab=album&album_id=696838130513646
https://www.facebook.com/pg/CarcassonnePL/photos/?tab=album&album_id=696840517180074
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: danisthirty on October 03, 2017, 01:45:35 PM
Congratulations on your 3rd place finish Merlin. It sounds like it must have been an exhausting day!

Merit for your report. I really enjoyed reading it. :)
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Mr Meeple on October 04, 2017, 02:32:26 PM
Congrats from my side as well  :(y) Besides a good gamer you are a nice writer as well  :) Crazy matches and a well deserved third place!
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Just a Bill on October 04, 2017, 07:28:44 PM
Well done! And a nice report.
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Carcassonner on October 05, 2017, 12:38:07 AM
Nice report Merlin!

It seems that the World Championship will be as difficult as possible. 5 world champions, Tomasz Preuss (leader of the BoardGameArena rating) and many other very strong players. I think most games can be added to the Carcassonne textbooks  :D
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Leven on October 05, 2017, 03:09:45 AM
Thanks for the fascinating report, Merlin. And congrats for your podium finish. :(y)
By the way, I find it quite astonishing that someone can win the Polish national championship 4 times in a row. Unbelievable! :o
Title: Re: National Carcassonne Championships in 2017
Post by: Merlin_89 on October 05, 2017, 07:49:28 AM
Thanks for comments!! I'm quite happy about my result, I was really close... I only regret I didn't give myself a chance for a fight in the Final. It could have been a different story then... Still it was wonderful experience and great weekend as a whole!

Now I have to look forward... Competitions on Central, I'm not finished! AND... Carcassonne 2018, here I come!  >:D