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British Chess Federation

Smith & Williamson British Chess Championships 2004

The 91st Annual Championships of the British Chess Federation

Sunday 1st August - Saturday 14th August, The Spa Complex, Scarborough

• Pre-tournament queries to the British Chess Federation, The Watch Oak, Chain Lane, Battle, East Sussex TN33 0YD (Tel 01424 775222; Fax 01424 775904; e-mail ).
  
  

• Post entry queries to the Tournament Secretary: - J M Robinson, 7 Manor Road, Stanion, Kettering, Northants NN14 1DL (Tel 01536 261697; e-mail ).
  
  
• If an acknowledgement is required, please request it by sending an e-mail to J M Robinson or if this is not possible enclose a stamped addressed envelope with the entry form. All e-mailed entries will be acknowledged.
  
  
• Please return your entry form to the Tournament Secretary: - J M Robinson, 7 Manor Road, Stanion, Kettering, Northants, NN14 1DL Tel: 01536 261697; e-mail ).
  
  
• Entries posted after 24th July should be addressed to J M Robinson (Chess), c/o The Spa Complex, South Bay, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO11 2HD.

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Entry Form

Championship events – open only to British Isles subjects or players resident therein for the past three years or those with British Overseas Dependent Territories Citizenship. In Junior Championships, ages relate to 1st September, 2003. All Junior Championships will include Overall, Boys and Girls titles.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

1) No entries can be accepted except on an official entry form. Additional forms can be obtained from the BCF Website or by contacting the BCF Office with a stamped addressed envelope.

2) Competitors are expected to maintain acceptable standards of dress & behaviour.

3) Competitors must attend the appropriate prizegiving for their event as announced in the programme. The main prizegiving will be held on Saturday 14th August at 9.30 am. Failure to attend without the prior permission of the Congress Director and/or a Principal Arbiter may result in the forfeiting of the prize concerned.

4) Every effort is made to place entrants in the tournament of their choice but the right is reserved to transfer an entry to another appropriate section. The right is reserved to refuse any entry without assigning a reason. The Federation may deduct an administration fee from any refund to players withdrawing.

5) A player withdrawing during any event without good cause will be liable to pay a full entry fee at any future event organised by the Federation and/or a bond returnable on satisfactory conduct during such events.

6) Only food/drink bought at the Spa Complex can be consumed within the venue.

Entry to the Championships is deemed to be acceptance of these conditions.

INFORMATION FOR COMPETITORS

Grades/Ratings: - For the British, FIDE World Open and Seniors, FIDE ratings take precedence, then British national grades. These 3 events will be FIDE rated. For Adult Rapidplay Events, a Rapidplay grade of category A, B, C or D will take precedence. In the Graded Championships the 2003 BCF list or appropriate list for non English players will be used. Players enter the Weekenders using their 2003 grades. If the 2004 grade shows that a section is inappropriate for a player, a transfer may be required. Ungraded players must give details of any previous grades/ratings held.

Programme: - this will be sent free to competitors (with the exception of players in the weekend event only) about one week before the start of the Championships.

Bulletins: - All players in the British Championship, World Major and Junior Championships (Under 10 - Under 16) will receive a bulletin as part of their entry fee. If this is not possible a refund will be made equating to part of the entry fee.

Charts: - Players (except in Weekend events) will also receive a tournament chart of their event either as part of their bulletin or posted to them after the Championships.

Discounts: -
a) Clients or employees of the Smith & Williamson Group may enter free any section for which they are eligible.
b) BCF Full Direct Members (all categories) and Chess Scotland Full Members can claim a discount of £2 per event entered, providing the entry is made before the closing date.
NB: This discount is not available for Standard or Junior Direct Members.
c) Multiple entry discounts: If one person enters 2 or more sections at the same time, or if a family makes a multiple entry at the same time, the entry fee for each section entered will be reduced by £2, providing the entry is made by the closing date.

Membership of the British Chess Federation. In all Championship events, English players must be members of the British Chess Federation. In the FIDE World Major rated English players must be members of the British Chess Federation. Either quote your membership number on the entry form or pay a Membership Fee (click here to become a Member).

Surcharges: - To organise these Championships to the high standards expected it is important that entries are received early. Therefore the following surcharges apply: -
Entries received postmarked after 10th July - £25 (2 week events); £10 (1 week events).
Entries received postmarked after 24th July or received at the event; a further £10.
The Federation reserves the right to refuse any entry made at the event.

Weekender events (including the Under 8 & Under 9 Championships) will incur no penalty until postmarked after 24th July when following will apply: - £5 Swiss events; £2 Rapidplays. Entries on the day: £10 Swiss; £5 Rapidplays.

Mobile phones: - Mobile phones must be switched off in the playing hall. Competitors may be immediately defaulted if their mobile phone rings during play.

Multiple Entries: - Players may not take part in two tournaments on the same day if the sessions potentially overlap. The following exceptions apply:-
Players may take a ½ pt bye in a Weekender if they are playing in an am event.
Players may take a ½ pt bye in World Major if they have a junior pm round.
Players may take a ½ pt bye in round 7 of the Under 11 (if not in contention for a prize) in order to play in the Under 8 Championship.

Byes: - In non-championship events other than the World Major, a round one bye may be claimed on the entry form. For other rounds, the section controller should be consulted at the event.

Commentary: - Daily commentary will take place on British Championship games.

Coaching: - Coaching sessions in the morning and evenings may be arranged throughout the congress. Further details will be given in the programme.

Bursaries: - Reductions in entry fees may be available for junior entrants. Any entrant receiving a bursary cannot qualify for an event discount. Please contact in confidence:
David Welch, 63 Croxteth Road, Liverpool, L8 3SF. Phone or fax 0151 733 1866.

ABOUT THE VENUE

The Scarborough Spa Complex stands majestically in its own grounds overlooking the South Bay and offers a comprehensive choice of venues for conferences, meetings, exhibitions, entertainment and social occasions. The Conference Bureau welcomes the Smith and Williamson British Chess Championships for 2004.

Accommodation: - For further information on accommodation in Scarborough, Whitby and Filey, contact the Tourist Information Centre, Unit 3 Pavilion House, Valley Bridge Road, Scarborough YO11 1UZ or Tel: +44(0)1723 38 36 36, e-mail: TourismBureau@scarborough.gov.uk. Prospective competitors are strongly advised to book their accommodation as soon as possible and arrangements have been made with the Tourist Information Centre to assist competitors.

Special Centenary Events: - in addition to these tournaments, several centenary events will be held during the duration of the congress.

The BCF Office is unable to book accommodation or respond to any matters relating to the Spa Complex.