English Chess Federation

1st Bromsgrove Chess Festival, 24-27 August 2006

Including ECF Young Masters and Bromsgrove One Day Congress

New venue, new county, new problems, but still the same enjoyment.

The event became part of the Bromsgrove School Festival of Chess, with a well attended one day congress. The accommodation was excellent, with well appointed kitchen and well-equipped games room which was patronised until closing time. Routh Hall, the actual playing hall was a majestic sound proofed Victorian structure in close proximity to the dining room, very useful!

The Chess.
The event was a 24 player FIDE rated tournament for the first time, and was won by Ankush Khandelwal of Nottingham with a perfect score from 6 games. Murray David and Dominic Foord came equal second with 4 points. The ladies prize was won by Sheila Dines with 3½ points who fought off a challenge from Anjali Lakhani only making certain in the last round of her trophy and prize.

The One Day congress was accommodated in the Maths building of the school, and was well controlled by Sean Hewitt.

The last morning saw much hilarity with late commemorations of wedding anniversaries and presentations to a worthy controller.

An innovation was the giving of CDs to all the players with the game scores from the event, a permanent record of the event.

Grateful thanks are due to David Welch for his calm controlling, especially of riotous blitz tournaments, Bromsgrove School for providing excellent accommodation, location and food and the Championship Trophy which was presented by Phil Bird, the enterprises manager of the school. We look forward to going back next year.

Cyril Johnson

The English Chess Federation is delighted to be associated with Bromsgrove School in founding what is hoped to become a major part of the chess calendar in the Festival of Chess.
The Young Masters and the Bromsgrove School One Day event are designed to appeal to all chess players and allow for the delights of our great sport to be enjoyed by all.

English Chess Federation Young Masters, 24-27 August 2006

A 6 round invitational FIDE Rated Swiss event, for players under 16 on 1 September 2006.

First Prize £1000 + trophy. Qualifying Place for 2007 British Championship (if eligible)

Game Fee Registered Event and part of the ECF Grand Prix

Chief Arbiter: International Arbiter David Welch

Event Open to ECF Members Only or Members of Other National Chess Bodies

This event is designed to bring together the leading young chess talents from across the UK.

Click here to download the entry form

Venue
Bromsgrove School, Bromsgrove, Worcs

Accommodation
The recently refurbished school accommodation will be used.
Players are expected to observe the highest standards of behaviour.
There is a strict no smoking & no alcohol regime within the environs of the school and the playing area.
Adult supervision will be provided at the venue and in the accommodation.
Accommodation is available from Thursday 24th to breakfast on Sunday 27th August.

Cost
Full Board and entry fee £135 (Non resident £55). Accompanying adult £110 full board. Family groups welcome - cost by negotiation.

Rates of Play
40 moves in 1 hour 40 minutes with a further 20 minutes to complete the game.

Hours of Play
Round 1 Thurs 24 2:30pm to 6:30pm
Round 2 Fri 25 9:00am to 1pm
Round 3 Fri 25 2:30pm to 6:30pm
Round 4 Sat 26 9:00am to 1pm
Round 5 Sat 26 2:30pm to 6:30pm
Round 6 Sun 27 9:00am to 1pm

Prizes
1st £1000 + trophy
2nd £500 + trophy
3rd £250 + trophy
Bromsgrove Junior Chess Masters Tournament

Best Score
by a player graded below 140 - £250
by a female player - £250 + trophy

Other prizes subject to entry.
All prizes are guaranteed. In the event of a tie, cash prizes will be shared. There will be a blitz play-off for the Bromsgrove Trophy if needed.

Welcome buffet - approx 1pm on Thursday 24th August Prize giving & buffet - 2pm on Sunday 27th August
It is hoped that most of the competitors will be able to attend the prize giving. Players receive a commemorative medal.

Bromsgrove School One Day Congress, 26 August 2006

Sections: U160, U130, U100

£300 Guaranteed Prize Fund

Chief Arbiter: International Arbiter David Welch

Click here to download the entry form

Rate of Play
30 Minutes per player per game under Rapidplay rules.

Time Table
Round 1: 10:30-11:30
Round 2: 12:00-13:00
Round 3: 13:30-14:30
Round 4: 15:00-16:00
Round 5: 16:30-17:30

Prize giving as soon as possible afterwards.

Prizes
Prizes in each section: 1st £100, 2nd £60, 3rd £40
Cash prizes will be shared in the event of ties.

Rapidplay grades A- D in the 2006 grading list will be used. If no such grade is available, a standard play will be used. If a player is ungraded, they will be asked to give evidence of recent events to enable a grade to be assessed.

The controllers reserve the right to amalgamate sections and to transfer players from one section to another.

Directions to Bromsgrove School

From the South West: M5 exit at J5: Follow the A38 past Webbs of Wychbold (Garden Centre) to the roundabout at Stoke Heath.
Turn left (B4094 and then B4091). Climb and descend Rock Hill for ½ mile going straight over the mini-roundabout at the Junction with Charford Road and passing the Labour Club on the left. 250 metres further on turn right through the main School gates (South Gates) which are set back from the road. Park by the Sports Hall and follow signs to Reception.

From the North: M5 exit at J4. From the South/Oxford/London: M42 exit at J1: From the M5 J4, follow the A38 Bromsgrove signs for 1½ miles past the Marlbrook Inn, over the M42 roundabout and past the Harvester Inn.
(M42 directions start here) Stay on the A38 towards Bromsgrove, descend the hill (Eastern Bypass) through one set of traffic lights to a large roundabout. Take the third exit signed the A38 and continue on the Eastern Bypass.
At the second set of lights filter right into Charford Road (Sugar Brook Pub is then on the left). Pass South Bromsgrove High School (SBHS) on the right and proceed to the mini-roundabout. Turn right into Worcester Road and pass the Labour Club on the left. 250 metres further on turn right through the main School gates (South Gates) which are set back from the road. Park by the Sports Hall and follow signs to Reception.

From Stourbridge/Hagley via Stourbridge Road: At the lights where the Birmingham Road crosses the Stourbridge Road, turn right (directly in front is Thomas Horton Solicitors) into Market Street. Pass St John's church (1/3 mile on hill to the right) following the road into Worcester Road. **Pass Images health club and Jewsons builders merchants on the right. Pass the Turks Head public house on the left. After a further 50 metres the main Senior School gates are set back from the road on the left (South Gates). Park by the sports hall and follow signs to Reception.