British Championship Congress 2020

Debate directly related to English Chess Federation matters.
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JustinHorton
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Re: British Championship Congress 2020

Post by JustinHorton » Tue Aug 20, 2019 10:04 am

They could try winning the games of course
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Chris Rice
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Re: British Championship Congress 2020

Post by Chris Rice » Thu Sep 05, 2019 5:10 pm

From the September 2019 ECF newsletter:

British Championships 2020
Director of Home Chess Adrian Elwin writes - At the beginning of June, the British Championship management team had almost completed negotiations at an excellent new venue, a conference centre in Southport. In July, the team were contacted with the information that the management there had reviewed the proposed contract and would need to change it to a ‘much higher rate’ that would have made the congress financially unviable. With our alternative venue having already fallen through, this left the team in a difficult position. After contacting several possible venues, mostly recent venues who had expressed an interest in hosting the competitions again, we have negotiated a return to Torquay for next year's British Championships (which will run from 17 to 31 July). This is not without precedent – Eastbourne was the venue for 1990 and 1991.
Returning to the same venue for a second consecutive year is not ideal. The British Championship should move around the country. This year has proved exceptional, even for these uncertain times, and a return to Torquay is the best option currently open to us. A further complication for 2020 is the timing of the Olympiad, which starts in Russia on August 1 so the British Championship will need to finish earlier than usual. This has the unfortunate consequence that the tournaments would clash with the last week of the school term in many areas of the country. It has been decided to temporarily to return to a two-week festival with the junior sections following the main British Championships. A schedule for the festival is available here. Further events will be added in the second week.

Roger de Coverly
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Re: British Championship Congress 2020

Post by Roger de Coverly » Thu Sep 05, 2019 5:38 pm

Chris Rice wrote:
Thu Sep 05, 2019 5:10 pm
A schedule for the festival is available here.
This is scheduling the British Championship and Major Open from Saturday 18th July to Sunday 26th July with the Seniors tournaments running from Monday 20th to Sunday 26th. Given that the Congress will still be running on Monday 27th, is there any real point to having the final round on Sunday 26th starting at 9:15 in the morning? This year, the last round start was at 10:00, which gives a little time to have breakfast, pack your bags, check out and make your way to the venue.

I also noticed that the grading limit tournaments have been expressed by reference to ECF grades. That must be assuming they still exist.

Nick Grey
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Re: British Championship Congress 2020

Post by Nick Grey » Thu Sep 05, 2019 6:27 pm

Yes so that rooms can be vacated for families and seniors can go back to work. Those that have retired can always book more time. May be the first week is cheaper. It could be worse. 'Unviable congresses financially'. Seems to be a good decision by ECF. Forget about any grading changes.

David Gilbert
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Re: British Championship Congress 2020

Post by David Gilbert » Thu Sep 05, 2019 6:33 pm

Roger de Coverly wrote:
Thu Sep 05, 2019 5:38 pm
Chris Rice wrote:
Thu Sep 05, 2019 5:10 pm
A schedule for the festival is available here.
I also noticed that the grading limit tournaments have been expressed by reference to ECF grades.
A welcome move. The under 140s will get back their event back after it was hijacked by the under 160s.

Chris Rice
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Re: British Championship Congress 2020

Post by Chris Rice » Thu Sep 05, 2019 6:43 pm

Link to schedule here for ease of reference.

NickFaulks
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Re: British Championship Congress 2020

Post by NickFaulks » Thu Sep 05, 2019 6:48 pm

Roger de Coverly wrote:
Thu Sep 05, 2019 5:38 pm
is there any real point to having the final round on Sunday 26th starting at 9:15 in the morning?
This does appear to be gratuitously sadistic, but it probably has something to do with the blitz tournament that afternoon.
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John Reyes
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Re: British Championship Congress 2020

Post by John Reyes » Thu Sep 05, 2019 7:25 pm

if anyone is looking to stay somewhere good look at the Premier inn or I stay at the Tyndale.
Also have a Look at Bombay Express for a Good Curry
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Alex Holowczak
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Re: British Championship Congress 2020

Post by Alex Holowczak » Thu Sep 05, 2019 7:29 pm

NickFaulks wrote:
Thu Sep 05, 2019 6:48 pm
Roger de Coverly wrote:
Thu Sep 05, 2019 5:38 pm
is there any real point to having the final round on Sunday 26th starting at 9:15 in the morning?
This does appear to be gratuitously sadistic, but it probably has something to do with the blitz tournament that afternoon.
There's a note at the bottom that says "Ch/MO R9: 1000 start"

NickFaulks
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Re: British Championship Congress 2020

Post by NickFaulks » Thu Sep 05, 2019 7:40 pm

Alex Holowczak wrote:
Thu Sep 05, 2019 7:29 pm
There's a note at the bottom that says "Ch/MO R9: 1000 start"
So there is. It looks as though it may be colour coded and something to do with the under 8s. Anyway, a 10am start is unpleasant too.
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Roger de Coverly
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Re: British Championship Congress 2020

Post by Roger de Coverly » Thu Sep 05, 2019 8:31 pm

NickFaulks wrote:
Thu Sep 05, 2019 7:40 pm
Anyway, a 10am start is unpleasant too.
The way the notes are drafted implies that the Over 50 and Over 65 start at 9:15 am on the final Sunday. On this year's room layout, they shared with the Championship and Major Open, so a differential start seems unlikely. I do wonder how much demand there would be from players in the Championship, Major Open, Over 50 and Over 65 to play in a Blitz tournament after completing the regular tournament. With the possibility of long running games from the morning, it's likely they would have to hold the Blitz in a separate room or area anyway.

Nick Grey
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Re: British Championship Congress 2020

Post by Nick Grey » Thu Sep 05, 2019 8:59 pm

Seems to be some selfish attitudes from old chess players.
A week of my holidays will be nice. More not so. Will not be on a pension until 69.
9.15-10am fine by me. It will be in time for a coffee break 90-120 minutes into a days work.
Finish in time for a snooze on the coach or train.

Andrew Zigmond
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Re: British Championship Congress 2020

Post by Andrew Zigmond » Thu Sep 05, 2019 9:08 pm

I'm quite happy to return to Torquay and have booked my accommodation. Looking at the schedule everything is largely in the same place as last year with the exception of the junior events which have moved into a second week, with an extra run of adult events running alongside. For me it doesn't actually change anything although I appreciate it's not quite as convenient for someone with a family. Masochists wanting two weeks of chess and who can afford the accommodation get a bonus in 2020, nobody is a loser as far as I can see ...

... except perhaps the arbiting team (diminishing year on year) who will have to give up an extra week of their own time to make the event happen. I'm happy to express my gratitude in advance, particular as I suspect most forum posters couldn't care less.
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Andy McCulloch
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Re: British Championship Congress 2020

Post by Andy McCulloch » Fri Sep 06, 2019 3:11 am

I first entered the British in Llandudno (2017) and played in Hull the following year(2018). Despite not playing very well, I enjoyed both events.
I booked accommodation in Torquay (2019) fairly early, and looked forward to the event. I eventually decided not to enter because of the cost of actually getting to Torquay from Glasgow, the Virgin fare being £180 single. I spent a considerable amount of time trying to reduce this, but could not get the cost below about £100 each way.
All in the cost of the British (15 games) would have exceeded the cost of 5 ordinary weekend congresses (25 games).
I am disappointed that Torquay has been chosen again for the British. This will be the third time at Torquay since the British was last held in Scotland in Edinburgh in 2003.

David Sedgwick
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Re: British Championship Congress 2020

Post by David Sedgwick » Fri Sep 06, 2019 6:43 am

Andy McCulloch wrote:
Fri Sep 06, 2019 3:11 am
I am disappointed that Torquay has been chosen again for the British. This will be the third time at Torquay since the British was last held in Scotland in Edinburgh in 2003.
Have you asked the officers of Chess Scotland whether they would wish to see the British Championships held in Scotland?

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