Golders Green and Hampstead - some changes afoot

[Adam Raoof]

Changes Afoot at Golders Green Rapidplay and Hampstead

Our next Golders Green Rapidplay is on Saturday 6th June, and here are the headline changes;

• Prizes have gone up to £100, £50, £30 in each section
  entry fees have gone up £5.00
  prizes will be paid by bank transfer

Depending on the number of players (we have capacity for 100 at most) we might in future add an extra section for players Under 85 and beginners - and that section alone would be ECF graded but NOT FIDE rated in order that we could vary from the FIDE rule that "the first illegal move loses" - what do you think?

The 28th Under 2200 Hampstead Congress is this weekend, 16-17 May. On the front page of the site we've been featuring a survey about the future design of the tournament, and the results so far suggest that;

• we should have two sections
  more players would be interested in playing
  players are not so keen on a rating floor of any kind

So, from June 2015 we will be registering TWO events at Hampstead - Under 2200 (Under ECF 200) and Under 1900 (Under ECF 160) with no minimum rating to enter the Under 2200 section.

Quite a few players have commented that they would like to see an ECF graded (NOT FIDE rated) Under 135 section, or even an EXTRA ECF graded (NOT FIDE rated) congress at Hampstead. This is usually from players who are ECF Silver Members and don't really want to join the ECF at Gold Level. I think it's a good idea and I might try it!

As you know if you've played, we only have room for 64 players at a real push. HOWEVER it is possible to have an Under 135 ECF only section - if we put an absolute cap on the numbers.

QUESTION - are you Under 135 and interested in playing at Hampstead if we have a five round ECF graded event, even if it's a small section with limited prizes? Let me know your thoughts.

[Adam Raoof]

Further to our survey - June will be the first Hampstead U2200 plus U1900 event. There are no rating floors for entrants in the Open, so ambitious players will get a chance to play some strong competition.

We will see how numbers go for that tournament, before deciding whether to add an ECF-only Under 135 section in July!

[Richard Bates]

Golders Green - lucky the weather's good, think some people are going to be playing in the car park!

[Adam Raoof]

Golders Green - lucky the weather's good, think some people are going to be playing in the car park!

111 players today! Sadly there is no car park

[Richard Bates]

There is isn't there? We're just not allowed to park in it, under pain of death! So should be plenty of space