Galway Chess Congress
Friday 17th to Sunday 19th October 2014
Venue: Menlo Park Hotel, Galway
Prize fund: €3300
We are grateful for financial support from Blackthorne International,
Menlo Park Hotel, and the Irish Chess Union.
Sections and Prizes
|
Masters |
Major |
Minor |
|
Rating Band
|
1800+ |
1200-1799 |
U-1200 |
|
1st
|
€700
|
€450
|
€250
|
|
2nd
|
€350
|
€250
|
€150
|
|
3rd
|
€200
|
€100
|
€100
|
|
Grading
|
€250
|
€250
|
€250
|
Which Section can I play in?
Current ICU ratings apply, as shown in the ICU ratings list published in September 2014. (If you do not have an ICU rating, but have another national rating, then the last such rating published on or before 1 October 2014 is the one we will use.)
We allow some flexibility on these rating bands, as shown below.
(a) FIDE ratings, as published in the October 2014 rating list, may be used for eligibility for the Masters section, at the player’s discretion.
(b) Players with an ICU rating within 100 points of each rating band floor will be allowed to float up to the immediately higher section if they wish.
(c) Players who have had a published ICU rating in the past 2 years which is on or above the floors specified in the table above (i.e., 1800 and 1200), may use that rating to float up if they wish. The same applies to a live ICU rating obtained in the last 6 months (i.e., since 1 April 2104).
Entrants without a current rating will be allocated at the organizers’ discretion. The organizers reserve the right to refuse entry.
Prizes
No Player may win more than one prize; if you are eligible for two prizes, you will receive the larger one. [For instance, if you have a rating of 1200 and win the Major, you will receive the €450 first prize, but you won’t get a grading prize as well. But if you end up in a five-way tie for third in the Major, which would give you a prize of €20, and are also eligible for a grading prize of €50, you will get the grading prize.]
A player who cannot provide evidence of playing strength may only be awarded 50% of any prize money (except for first, second, or third prize in the Masters), at the organizers’ discretion.
The amount awarded in grading prizes may be slightly altered (up or down) depending on the number of entries.
Playing Schedule
|
Round No.
|
Time |
Day |
Date
|
|
Round 1
|
8 pm |
Friday |
Oct 17 |
|
Round 2
|
10 am |
Saturday |
Oct 18 |
|
Round 3
|
2.30 pm |
Saturday |
Oct 18 |
|
Round 4
|
7 pm |
Saturday |
Oct 18 |
|
Round 5
|
10 am |
Sunday |
Oct 19 |
|
Round 6
|
2.15 pm |
Sunday |
Oct 19 |
Players who arrive at the board an hour or more late will forfeit the game. If you are travelling and realise that you will arrive late, it would be a great help if you could contact the organizers at 087 2369387 before the start of the round.
Time limit: 90 minutes for the game, plus an increment of 10 seconds from move 1. (Note: this depends on us being able to source enough clocks. We will keep you informed here about any changes in the time limit.)
We hope to be able to provide both sets and clocks, but it would be a help if you could bring a set and clock, in case we are overwhelmed by late entries.
Other Tournament Rules
Mobile phones
The new FIDE rules on mobile phones, introduced on 1 July 2014, will not apply. However, you are strongly urged not to bring mobile phones or other electronic devices to the event. If you do bring a mobile phone, or any device containing a chess programme, it must be completely switched off for the entire duration of your game, and must always be completely switched off in the playing area. If any player’s mobile phone makes any noise during their game, that player automatically loses the game. If you are found using or consulting such a device (or having any communication from anyone else who is using or consulting such a device) whilst your game is in progress, you will immediately lose your game and be expelled from the tournament; a report will be prepared for the ICU, which might impose further disciplinary action
If you feel that you have to be in contact with the outside world during your game – perhaps because you expect an urgent and important message – you should consult an arbiter, who will do what he can to help you by looking after your phone for you. In no circumstances will you be allowed to use any communication device yourself during your game.
Spectators (including parents) must not have a mobile phone, or device capable of containing a chess programme, switched on in the playing venue.
If you suspect a player is using a mobile phone or device containing a chess programme, you should immediately inform an arbiter; you should not attempt to intervene yourself.
Connaught Chess Championship
The Galway congress will incorporate the Connaught Chess Championship; the title of Champion will be awarded to the highest placed player in the Masters who was either born in Connaught, or who has lived in Connaught for the past 12 months. (Proof of qualification may be required.) The Connaught Champion will receive the Connaught Chess Champion trophy, and will be nominated by the Irish Chess Union for entry to the 2015 British Chess Championship, with some financial assistance also provided by the ICU. [This title does not count as a ‘prize’, and so the Connaught Champion may also retain any prize money won.]
Enquiries
Enquiries are welcomed to GalwayChess@gmail.com (preferably),
or to Fiona Cormican on 087 2369387
Accommodation
Tournament Venue: Menlo Park Hotel, Galway
menloparkhotel.com 091-761122
Menlo Park Hotel is a modern 4-star hotel providing good accommodation, bars, restaurant, and has ample free parking.
The hotel is located just off the Galway ring road, so it is very easy to get to. It is within walking distance of Galway city centre.
We have secured the following B&B rates for the congress weekend
€85.00 for Friday night and €95 for Saturday night for a Double / Twin Room
€65.00 for Friday night and €75 for Saturday night for a Single Room
We have pre-reserved rooms in the hotel. To book at this reduced rate phone (+353) (0)91 761122 (ask for Room Reservations) or email reservations@menloparkhotel.com, mentioning the Chess Congress. Rooms are being held for us only until 3 October, so please book by then.
The Menlo Park Hotel has also offered us the following special deals:
You can upgrade to a Superior King room including robes, slippers, fruit and water for €20 per night
The charge for staying on for the Sunday night will be an extra €79 for double / twin or €59 for a single room
If you stay for three nights, the hotel will include a complementary four course dinner on one night
Entry
Entry Fees
All Competitions: €45
Student, retired: €40
Under 16, unemployed: €35
A discount of €10 applies if entry fee received on or before 12 October 2014.
A surcharge of €15 applies to entries received on the day of the tournament.
If you wish to enter by POST, you can download the entry form here and send it to
Pete Morriss, Glann, Oughterard, Co. Galway
Please make all cheques payable to “Galway Chess Club” and do not send cash in the post!
To enter ONLINE, provide your details in the payment form below and then wait a few seconds and you will be redirected to an entry form which you must fill in.
Once both of those are submitted, you should receive an email confirming your entry.
It is possible to enter multiple entrants at once – simply add up the entry fees (carefully!) and put the total in the Payment Amount section. Then you can add the extra details as necessary on the entry form which you will be redirected to.
GALWAY CONGRESS REGISTRATION
All entrants resident in Ireland must be a member of the Irish Chess Union;
to join, see here.
Enquires to: GalwayChess@gmail.com (preferably)
or: Fiona Cormican on 087 2369387
The View from The DJ booth 
