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British Chess Federation

Smith & Williamson British Chess Championships 2005

The 92nd Annual Championships of the British Chess Federation

Sunday 31st July - Saturday 13th August, Villa Marina & Gaiety Theatre Complex, Isle of Man

• 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 ). The BCF Office is unable to book accommodation or respond to any matters relating to the Villa Marina.
  
  

• 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 Villa Marina, Douglas, Isle of Man.
  

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, 2004. 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 13th August at 9.30 am. Failure to attend without the prior permission of the Congress Director 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. 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 Villa Marina 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, Major Open and Seniors, FIDE ratings take precedence, then British national grades. These 3 events will be FIDE rated. For Adult Rapidplay Events, a BCF Rapidplay grade of category A, B, C or D will take precedence over normal grades. In the Graded Championships and Weekenders the 2004 BCF list or appropriate list for non English players will be used. 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 or rapidplay events only) about one week before the start of the Championships.

Bulletins and Charts: - All players in the British Championship 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. A web bulletin will include games and information about most events at the Championships, including all final charts. Players requiring a printed chart of their section should tick the relevant box on the entry form.

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) 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 events, other than Adult Rapidplays and Adult Weekenders, 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 for Membership Form).

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 should avoid bringing phones to the venue. They will be immediately defaulted if their mobile phone is found to be switched on, and they may be considered to have withdrawn from the event.

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 the Major Open if they have a junior pm round. They should inform the Major Open Controller at least 24 hours in advance.
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 Major Open, 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 splendid Villa Marina is situated on the sea front at Douglas. Recent extensive redevelopment has produced a venue of a high standard. We are sure that you will be impressed. Visit their website: www.villamarina.com

ACCOMMODATION AND TRAVEL

You are advised to book early and to take advantage of discounted travel offered by either of two travel agents nominated by the Isle of Man.