A 5-round Swiss tournaments in 3 sections with 4-hour playing sessions.

Venue: The Town Hall, Market Place, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2RB
Date: 8th to 10th March 2024

 

Entry for this tournament is now closed

 

Tournament sections

Section	Grade Limit	Entry Fee*	Prizes
Open (FIDE-rated)	None	£35	First: £350 Second: £200 Third: £150
Major	Under 1900	£30	First: £250 Second: £150 Third: £110
Minor	Under 1600	£30	First: £250 Second: £150 Third: £110

* Not including any applicable ECF fee. Anyone under 18 on 1st September 2023 will receive a £5 discount. Late entries after 1st March 2024 incur a £3 additional charge. No entries after 6th March 2024.

ECF fees

In the Open section the ECF grading fees are as follows:

• no charge for Gold or Platinum ECF members,
• £1.50 for FIDE registered players with a non-English affiliation,
• £12 for all other players.

In Major and Minor sections:

• no charge for Silver, Gold or Platinum ECF members,
• £9 otherwise.

Cash prizes

Depending on entry, there will be at least one grading prize in each section.

There is a team prize of £50 awarded to the highest scoring (genuine club) team of 4 players.

Except in the Open tournament, no ungraded player will be awarded a cash prize greater than £60.

Playing schedule

Friday
18.50 Opening
19.00 Round 1

Saturday
10.00 Round 2
15.00 Round 3

Sunday
10.00 Round 4
15.00 Round 5

Playing sessions are 4-hours. Players will be defaulted if not present within 30 minutes of the start of a round.

Time controls

In all sections, the time controls will be 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move from the start of each game.

Byes

A half-point bye may be requested in any one of rounds 1,2,3 or 4 (prior to the start of the round).

Refreshments

Catering arrangements are still under negotiation, but the organising committee are committed to ensuring that hot and cold drinks and snacks are available for purchase.

Rating information

The February 2024 FIDE and ECF standard play published ratings (original) will be used to determine eligibility for a section. The FIDE rating will take precedence in the Open.

The organisers reserve the right to transfer players to another section at their discretion.

It is a condition of entry that all entrants agree that their game results will be forwarded to the ECF and FIDE for grading.

Conditions of entry and competition rules

Please click below for the full conditions of entry and competition rules.