From the official website: “This is the event that we are all excited about! We are back at the brilliant Crowne Plaza Hotel at Crawley / Gatwick for what promises to be a superb 5 days of chess. We have some new events too, so why not give one of them a try.”
Premier – Open to all players. A 9-round FIDE rated swiss which will be eligible for GM and IM norms.
Top rated players are GM Tikkanen Hans (Sweden 2591), GM Williams Simon (England 2512), GM Hebden Mark (England 2506), GM Lalic Bogdan (Croatia 2456), GM Arkell Keith (England 2409) and IM Buckley Graeme (England 2383).
Major – Open to players rated below 2000. A unique opportunity to play a 9 round swiss in UK amongst players rated under 2000. With a £450 first prize, there is sure to be some competition.
Seniors – Open to all players born before 1 January 1952. This event is a 5 round FIDE rated swiss, played at one round per day. The highest placed English player will be awarded the title of English Senior Champion by the English Chess Federation for 2011.
Time Control – All moves in 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move increments from move 1
The venue is in a prime location. Crawley town centre is within walking distance (less than 1 mile) and Gatwick Airport is a short drive away (3.5 miles) or there is a hotel shuttle bus to and from the airport. Car parking is available at the hotel. This is free of charge ot those staying in the hotel, or £10 per day if not. There is also plenty of free on street parking within 5 minutes walk of the hotel.
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Playing Schedule
Opening Ceremony Wednesday 14.50 – 15.00
Round 1 Wednesday 15.00 – 19.00
Round 2 Thursday 10.00 – 14.00
Round 3 Thursday 15.00 – 19.00
Round 4 Friday 10.00 – 14.00
Round 5 Friday 15.00 – 19.00
Round 6 Saturday 10.00 – 14.00
Round 7 Saturday 15.00 – 19.00
Round 8 Sunday 10.00 – 14.00
Round 9 Sunday 15.00 – 19.00
Colours for Round 1 will be determined by the cup tie between Aldershot and Manchester United.
If the total number of goals scored in the match is an even number then the top seed will be white in round 1 and if the total number of goals scored in the match is an odd number then the top seed will be black in round 1. Extra time does not count. Zero goals is classed as even number. (Manchester United won by 3-0).
In addition, a FIDE Arbiters’ Seminar is going to be organized from 28 to 30 October 2011 in Gatwick, England, by the e2e4 Chess and the Chess Arbiters’ Association, in cooperation with the English Chess Federation and under the auspices of FIDE.
The venue will be the Crowne Plaza Hotel in London Gatwick Airport. The Lecturer will be IA David Sedgwick (ENG), FIDE Lecturer and Assistant Lecturer will be IA Sean Hewitt (ENG).
e2e4 are also delighted to sponsor a 30 board simultaneous display by the former World Chess Championship Challenger Nigel Short.
