The tournament should be a multi-stage round-robin tournament. Feel free to make suggestions if you have ones, thanks in advance.
... does a typical big chess game last?
That's the problem... Usually a big chess game is quite short (often shorter than regular chess games), but between two strong opponents, theorically it may last more than 1 year with time control 30 days + 1 day / move.
I have finished about 120 Big Chess games. Only 5 last more than a year (all with Thibault :) ).
I propose that the WCH should be a 2 stage round-robin tournament starting once per year. As usual the groups of the first stage should be filled according the Big Chess ratings.
The winner of each group is qualified for the second stage. If more players are needed to build a final group of 7, 9 or 11 players Thibault can invite the best of the second placed of the first stage groups.
If all players of the final group are known the second stage should be started within a month.
Yes, I agree... 2 rounds would be enough. If the current champion plays a final match against a challenger, it would take one more year at least. That's a pity.
I was just thinking of nagging you again for a Big Chess Championship when I stumbled upon this thread. Seems I don't check the forum often enough. Any start date decided on yet? Regarding the format, in general I prefer championships to be decided by a match, though of course it would take longer.
No start date yet, but it is likely to begin with the next chess wch cycle.