63rd Southend Congress 19-22 April 2019

[Adam Raoof]

An Open, a new under 1900 fide rated section and a 9 round gm norm event- details of this to be announced soon

http://www.southendchesscongress.org.uk

[Adam Raoof]

1st Southend Congress Invitational 18-22 April 2019

GM and IM norms expected to be available in this bonus 9 round event, from 18-22 April, two rounds a day and one round on Bank Holiday Monday.

A swiss restricted to roughly 20 players above 2200 or titled players. Conditions for GMs and reasonable entry fees for norm seekers. Interest already from IMs and three GMs invited. Live coverage of the games.

http://www.southendchesscongress.org.uk for details of the venue.

Contact [email protected] for details.

[Adam Raoof]

Thanks to the ECF Women's Director, we have some financial support for the top English women to participate in this event - please contact me if you are interested in taking part!

[Adam Raoof]

Still time to enter one of our many sections at Southend this Easter!

SEE WHO HAS ENTERED HERE - https://eu.jotform.com/grid/70133043944045

ENTER CONGRESS HERE! - https://form.jotform.com/70133293199963

ENTER THE RAPID ON THE 18TH APRIL HERE - https://form.jotform.com/90824106858967

Open, Under 1900, three ECF graded sections - all 7 rounds!

[Adam Raoof]

Entries at a very healthy 80 players with 11 days to go! I can't predict the weather, but I think the competition for the first prize of £500 will be hot in the Major Under 1900!

GUARANTEED PRIZES
FIDE Masters - £800 / £500 / £200
FIDE Open - £800 / £500 / £200
FIDE Under 1900 - £500 / £300 / £150
ECF Sections - £150 / £75 / £40 plus prizes based on entries

http://www.southendchesscongress.org.uk/

Adam

[Adam Raoof]

Entries now approaching 100!

ENTER THE RAPID ON THURSDAY 18TH APRIL HERE - https://form.jotform.com/90824106858967

the rapid has a £100 1st prize in each section, OPEN, UNDER 160 and UNDER 120

[Brendan O'Gorman]

Photos: https://brendanogorman.smugmug.com/Chess/Southend-2019

[Adam Raoof]

Photos: https://brendanogorman.smugmug.com/Chess/Southend-2019

Thanks Brendan! We had a very successful congress this year, and we've already booked the venue for 2020!

There is a list of prizewinners etc just here

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rln ... sp=sharing

[Jonathan Rogers]

Photos: https://brendanogorman.smugmug.com/Chess/Southend-2019

Thanks Brendan! We had a very successful congress this year, ...

That's reassuring, I looked for the Open results the other day, and saw just six competitors, the winner receiving a last round bye. I assumed that the abundance of other Easter weekend events had taken its toll. (Presumably you had a much better entry to other sections?)

[Roger de Coverly]

That's reassuring, I looked for the Open results the other day, and saw just six competitors, the winner receiving a last round bye. I assumed that the abundance of other Easter weekend events had taken its toll. (Presumably you had a much better entry to other sections?)

That was the Rapidplay which was three very small sections. Whilst the standard play FIDE Open attracted a decent turnout, the FIDE Masters only had 20 for a nine round tournament. But perhaps it was intentional to exclude lower rated players in the interests of Norm chances.

[David Sedgwick]

… I looked for the Open results the other day, and saw just six competitors, the winner receiving a last round bye. I assumed that the abundance of other Easter weekend events had taken its toll. (Presumably you had a much better entry to other sections?)

When I look at the Open results, I see 44 competitors, 38 of whom played in the last round.

http://chess-results.com/tnr418837.aspx ... =7&flag=30

Edit: Roger beat me to it.

[Jonathan Rogers]

… I looked for the Open results the other day, and saw just six competitors, the winner receiving a last round bye. I assumed that the abundance of other Easter weekend events had taken its toll. (Presumably you had a much better entry to other sections?)

When I look at the Open results, I see 44 competitors, 38 of whom played in the last round.

http://chess-results.com/tnr418837.aspx ... =7&flag=30

Edit: Roger beat me to it.

Pleased to see that I was in error!

[Jonathan Rogers]

Trying to distract you all from my blunder, does this mean that there are not too many Easter weekend events after all? The calendar looked very crowded to me.

[Mick Norris]

Trying to distract you all from my blunder, does this mean that there are not too many Easter weekend events after all? The calendar looked very crowded to me.

It was an issue mentioned at Bolton this weekend, specifically the 4NCL event taking away some potential entries, but it was still a healthy turnout

Supply and demand will always determine the outcome; Easter being later and very sunny may have had an effect too

[Adam Raoof]

… I looked for the Open results the other day, and saw just six competitors, the winner receiving a last round bye. I assumed that the abundance of other Easter weekend events had taken its toll. (Presumably you had a much better entry to other sections?)

When I look at the Open results, I see 44 competitors, 38 of whom played in the last round.

http://chess-results.com/tnr418837.aspx ... =7&flag=30

Edit: Roger beat me to it.

Pleased to see that I was in error!

The rapid was a last minute addition to the festival as we had added and paid for an extra day for the Masters 2200+ 9 rounder. Next year we will get a lot more entries in the rapid event and masters. Matthew Wadsworth achieved an IM norm for his joint first and his title will be awarded soon!

Easter used to be very popular for longer events and Southend might be the only survivor! We have 7 rounds and this (with two optional byes) gives everyone a chance to play lots of chess and still be in the running for a prize.