We, as current members of the CSCA or past members within the last year expecting to renew, beseech the board of directors to follow the rules for selecting participants for the Colorado Closed Championships. We do not agree with the subjective choice being considered by the board at its upcoming meeting to waive rules and invite a player that is not a Colorado resident and has not played six USCF rated games in the timeframe specified in  the selection rules. Whatever having this unqualified player participate will add to the tournament does not outweigh the need to respect the membership and the players who are actually qualified to be in the Closed. There is a trickle down effect to bringing this unqualified player in that is not fair to at least three people (the ones bumped out of the Closed, the Challenger Closed, and the reserve Challenger spot). These players may not care or make a fuss, but we care. We care on their behalf and on behalf of all future players who will be bumped by unwarranted decisions to waive selection requirements if this precedent is set. We submit that the players who have met the selection requirements and carry the rating to be among Colorado's best are the players most deserving to play in the Closed. We don't want the board to take this right and privilege away from the deserving. Please uphold the selection requirements and waive them for no one and no reason without membership approval.

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