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Last update: Tuesday November 7, 2006 15:21
Plans are well underway for the 82nd Hastings International Chess Congress which will take place at Horntye Park Sports Complex from 28th December 2006 to 7th January 2007. The Congress includes the Hastings Masters Tournament with a first prize of £2000 which has already attracted international masters and grandmasters from twelve countries. There are also shorter Christmas and New Year events for club players and the 24th Hastings Weekend Congress.
The Congress is once again being sponsored by Hastings Borough Council who have supported the event for many years. The White Rock Hotel have generously offered accommodation for top Masters players following last year’s successful partnership. Additional support comes from Carr Taylor Vineyards, Deutsch, General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited, Medoil pc, and the Pig in Paradise.
A welcome addition to the Congress comes from the Trustees of Horntye Park Sports Complex who will present a Brilliancy Prize for the Masters Tournament. The chosen player will receive a trophy and £100.
Congress Director, Con Power reports that the number of entries is encouraging at this early stage. Players include last year’s winner, Ukranian grandmaster Valeriy Neverov, grandmasters Merab Gagunashvili of Georgia, Vyacheslav Ikonnikov of Russia and English grandmaster Mark Hebden. Women players include women grandmasters Jovanka Houska (Eng) and Dagne Ciuksyte of Lithuania.
The will be an interactive web broadcast of games on top boards of the Masters Tournament. There will also be a commentary on these games by English grandmaster Chris Ward. Admission to games and commentary are free to spectators.
In addition to the main events there will be the usual programme of popular evening events at venues in the town.
The congress entry form and details are available on the congress website hastingschess.org.uk. A regularly updated list of entries also appears on the website. For further information contact Pam Thomas - Tel: 01424 445348, email: