I notice that you have introduced a new type of section eligibility on CCA tournaments on ICC.
Namely that the HIGHER of OTB or ICC rating will be used for sections. Such as this weeks CCA May Open. In particular I am concerned with the Over 1900 section (which now becomes the Open Section.
As a OTB player with a rating of Exactly 1900 (because that is my ratings Floor. And because since the Pandemic I have not played further OTB tournaments) this new ONL format concerns me. However I maintain that this new way of determining ICC tournament sections will concern numerous other players as well.
I see that this upcoming tournament (this weeks CCA May Open) has, so far, fewer participants in all Sections than the previous CCA tournaments on ICC using the regular section eligibility. And the CCA April Open also had fewer participants in all Sections.
My prediction is that you will continue to see reduced participation with this new section format. Because there will be fewer Sections and prizes for lower rated players. Which you may incorrectly interpret as a reduced interest in playing ICC tournaments with the Online Regular time limits.
My Question is: Who decided to change the Section eligibility in these ICC tournaments and why? Did you think that you would get more participation? Also for a long time the Director and organizer of OTB Continental Chess tournaments have frequently polled tournament players about proposed tournament rule changes, playing formats etc. for their opinions.
Why has CCA and ICC not offered similar polls of participants before changing some tournament playing format?