English Chess Federation

European Senior Team Championship 2006

Anybody who is at least 60 years old on 1 January 2006 (50 for a female) is eligible to play. Please bring this to the attention of any of your friends who may not be on the ECF database.

The European Senior Team Championship takes place 17 to 24 February 2006 in Dresden. Play is daily at 9.30am except for the first round which starts at 2pm. I don't think it sensible to travel to Dresden on Friday 17 to play that day. It is possible to leave Dresden the evening of Friday 24th.

It will be an 8 round Swiss, rate of play 40 moves in 2 hours, followed by all the remaining moves in 30 minutes. It is for teams of 4 plus an optional reserve.

We are allowed uniquely to field British teams rather than teams from one federation. The 40 Euro entry fee per person is paid by the English Chess Federation. Thus it is necessary for all who play to be members of the ECF.

The event will take place, as before, at The Treff Hotel, Wilhelm-Franke Street, 90 01219 Dresden, Germany. The hotel charge is 49 Euro per night single room. 31.50 Euro per night per person for a double room. In my experience, players have not wanted to share except with their partner. The Treff Hotel is a good modern hotel at a very reasonable rate.

I have reserved 12 tickets for the concert of Sacred Music at The Church of Our Lady at 3pm on Sunday 19 February. Thus this building is finally re-opened.

Several other optional excursions are also available.

In my opinion a player graded under 125 will probably find the opposition too strong. However, from 1 January FIDE Ratings will go down to 1401 and this is within the grasp of anybody graded over 100. Several people have played all four times and this event is usually very much enjoyed by our team members.

Medical: It is essential to complete the form E111 which is available from the Post Office. The ECF travel insurance covers team members, but I am uncertain about accompanying partners. It is essential to have medical insurance and to have declared any pre-existing conditions. I do not have to pay an extra premium, despite previously having a heart attack and a stroke as I am cleared for travel by my GP.

For the past three years we have neatly had exactly four members of each team and there were no withdrawals. This was not true the first year, when we had to borrow a German. I do not like to turn away players. I realise most people want to play all 8 games, but it may be necessary for some to play 6 or 7 games only.

Please reply to me by 14 December. I will be in Hastings 27 December to 7 January and then hopefully somewhere warmer. Then in Gibraltar 21 January to 6 February.

The members of the selection committee, apart from myself, are John Littlewood and Ray Edwards.

Stewart Reuben 020 8892 6660