British Chess Championships 2011

[Adam Raoof]

From the Tourism service in Sheffield:

The student accommodation that Alan has posted a link to is different to that which we are currently negotiating with.

The rates on the Unite web site (indicating ‘from £88 per week’) are the rates for students taking a +46 week let and not for a week or two let in the summer. We have used Unite accommodation for events in the past. From previous negotiations, please ensure when contacting Unite that you clarify the overnight or weekly rate and exactly what is included. The accommodation is geared towards students who arrive with everything they need – bedding, crockery, pots, pans and the occasional kitchen utensil!

The accommodation we are trying to sort out a rate for is not managed by Unite, it is a different agency which operates slightly differently. Bedding, basic crockery and utensils etc. are included in the price – we just need to get them to agree what that price will be.

[Roger de Coverly]

Every so often, we debate the case that the British Championship has become diluted in strength and is too easy to qualify for. Compare this to the recent Turkish Championships as documented at
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=7018
and
http://tr2011.tsf.org.tr/tr/component/t ... ew&kid=158.

At first sight, the number of participants at 257 looks seriously impressive. When you check the ratings of the tail though, they make even the Major Open look like a GM tournament.

Making the national championship completely open is, I suppose, a possible solution to the perpetual funding difficulties, provided that is you can find enough low rated players to pay a large entry fee for the privilege of participating. We have a tradition though of separate events for low rated players. By international standards,even the tail of the events like the Hastings Masters, Major Open, London Classic Open is relatively strong.

(edit) broken link fixed

[Matthew Turner]

Do we know where the British Championships will be in 2012?

[Stewart Reuben]

The 2012 British Chess Champ8ionship will almost certainly take place at a bowls centre quite close to Whitley Bay. That was only very recently agreed. The Board should by now have signified their agreement by email.
Writing from St Kitts
Stewart Reuben

[Matthew Turner]

That's a new venue (to me). From memory it is quite nice round there, but I'm not sure about accommodation.

[Roger de Coverly]

but I'm not sure about accommodation.

At a first Google, somewhat cheaper than Sheffield

http://www.hotels.uk.com/accommodation/ ... ey_Bay.htm

[Matthew Turner]

Roger,
To be honest my query was more about the quantity of hotels rather than the cost, but yes there appears to some cheap and cheerful B&B's available for those who book early.

[Alex McFarlane]

I haven't heard that the Parks has been confirmed as the venue for 2012 but assuming it is there is a Travelodge a few hundred yards from the venue and within 4.2 miles there is all sorts of accommodation from caravans to hotel with B&B and flats in between.
As well as Whitley Bay, Cullercoats is worth considering for accommodation particularly for the more mature entrants.

[Roger de Coverly]

If this is the place, rather more North Shields than Whitley Bay

http://www.northtyneside.gov.uk/browse- ... tegory=578

[Alex McFarlane]

That is the most likely venue though there is still a chance that it will be held at the Spanish City on the shore at Whitley Bay. My personal belief is that the latter venue will not be ready in time to advertise as the location.

[LozCooper]

The 2012 British Chess Champ8ionship will almost certainly take place at a bowls centre quite close to Whitley Bay. That was only very recently agreed. The Board should by now have signified their agreement by email.
Writing from St Kitts
Stewart Reuben

Not yet but sounds likely according to the e-mails bouncing in and out of my inbox

[Brendan O'Gorman]

If the venue is the Parks leisure centre in North Shields, an important point to bear in mind is that it is served by the Newcastle metro. Whitley Bay is just a few stops away. The city centre is about 20-25 minutes away. There is a Premier Inn near the Royal Quays which is about 10-15 minutes walk away.

[Roger de Coverly]

That is the most likely venue though there is still a chance that it will be held at the Spanish City on the shore at Whitley Bay. My personal belief is that the latter venue will not be ready in time to advertise as the location.

Some background from Google

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Waiting+t ... 0227581674

[Matthew Turner]

That article seems to suggest that the British is being brought to Whitley Bay by Gerry Beldon. Is this true? and does anybody know this gentleman? His website is here http://mindsportsworld.org/

[Alex McFarlane]

Obviously I do. Gerry is heavily involved with junior chess in the area. He is also involved with a charity which encourages mind sports and cultural activities.

He certainly raised the matter with the local authority but most of the discussions were held with me. The last meeting also had David Welch present.

I have now been told that the Board have accepted this proposal so formal negotiations will now start to draw up a contract.

As Brendan says the probable venue is near the Metro rail system. People wishing to see the venue might want to enter the Northumberland Congress in October which is held in one of the ancilliary rooms (probably the analysis area for the British).

More details when everything confirmed (and probably under a different thread),