1)

No entries can be accepted except on an official entry form.  Additional forms can be obtained from the ECF Website or by contacting the ECF Office with a stamped addressed envelope.

2)

Competitors are expected to maintain acceptable standards of dress & behaviour.

3)

Prize Winners must attend the appropriate prizegiving for their event as announced in the programme. The main prizegiving will be held on Saturday 8 August at 9.30 am. Failure to attend without the prior permission of the Congress Manager 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 who withdraw.

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 Riviera International Conference Centre may be consumed within the venue.

7)

In all events other than the two Rapidplays, English players MUST be members of the English Chess Federation. Either quote your membership number on the Entry Form or complete the enclosed Membership Form and pay the appropriate Membership Fee.

Please note that photographs will be taken at the event which may be used for publicity purposes.  Any objection by an individual to the same being published should be notified to the event organisers. The ECF Data Controller is Cynthia Gurney.

Entry to the Championships is deemed to be acceptance of these conditions.

INFORMATION FOR COMPETITORS

Grades/Ratings: - For the British, Major Open, Seniors and Under 16 FIDE ratings take precedence, then British national grades.  These 4 events will be FIDE Rated. These Ratings now go down to 1200. For Adult Rapidplay Events, the current ECF Rapidplay grade of category A, B, C or D will take precedence over normal grades. Entry to the Graded Championships will be determined by the 2008 ECF list or appropriate list for non-English players. Ungraded players must give details of any previous grades/ratings held.

Default time:- Players arriving 30 (10 for rapidplay) minutes or more after the start of a session shall lose, unless the arbiter decides otherwise.

Programme: - this will be sent free to competitors in all events of 5 days duration or more about one week before the start of the Championships. Players in all weekend and rapidplay events will receive a programme at the event.

Bulletins and Charts: - All players in the British Championship will receive daily bulletins as part of their entry fee. A web bulletin will include games and information about most events at the Championships, including all final charts. A daily bulletin will be on sale and will contain a wide range of games from many sections. Competitors may also purchase a Commemorative Bulletin.

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 £3, providing the entry is made by the penalty fee date.

Surcharges: -

Entries received postmarked after 6 July - £25 (2 week events); £10 (1 week events).

Entries received postmarked after 20 July or received at the event - a further £10.

The Federation reserves the right to refuse any entry made at the event.  

Weekender events, the Under 8 & Under 9 Championships will incur no penalty unless postmarked after 20 July when following will apply: - £5 Swiss events; £2 Rapidplay.  Entries on the day: £10 Swiss events; £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 makes any sound during play.

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 a morning event.

Players may take a ½ pt bye in the Major Open if they have a junior afternoon round. They must 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.

Players in the British Championship may take a ½ pt bye in the junior pm round when playing in both.

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 must be consulted at the event.

Commentary: - Daily commentary will take place on British Championship games conducted by Andrew Martin.

Coaching and Bursaries for Juniors: - Coaching will be available free to Juniors. Further details will be given in the programme. Bursaries may also be available for suitable juniors. We are grateful to the John Robinson Trust for allowing us to provide these services.

Reductions in entry fees: - may be available for any player.

Please contact in confidence:  by 25 June 2009.

ABOUT THE VENUE

The Riviera International Centre is a fine, modern and extremely spacious venue. It is conveniently situated just over 100 metres from the sea-front, within easy walking distance of most accommodation. The Riviera International Centre is also just 400 metres from Torquay Train Centre. Torquay is one of Britain’s finest resorts.

Riviera International Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay, Devon TQ2 5LZ

Tel: 01803 299 992, Email:   website: www.rivieracentre.co.uk

ACCOMMODATION

For details of accommodation please see www.britishchess09.com or alternatively contact Conference Torquay on 01803 206302.

The ECF Office is unable to book accommodation

All other queries to the English Chess Federation, The Watch Oak, Chain Lane, Battle, East Sussex TN33 0YD. Tel: 01424 775222, Fax: 01424 775904, Email:  website: www.englishchess.org.uk

Click to download the list of 2009 qualifiers and a list showing how they qualified in alphabetical order. Queries should be emailed to 

Click to download the Qualification rules and regulations - 'How to Qualify'.