SO WHO'S GOING TO SHEFFIELD? I AM!

[Rob Thompson]

At what point were commonwealth players barred from entering a lot of the events? This would no doubt have significant ramifications for entry numbers, and thus should be take into consideration.

[Stewart Reuben]

2003 they played. 2004 they were barred. I am sure many posters were aware of this.
2004 there was a high entry possibly because of the celebrations of the BCF Centenary made the event attrctive.
Considering the recession of recent years, the numbers have stood up very well.
Stewart Reuben

[Adam Raoof]

In all the excitement it almost went un-noticed that the number of entries reached 898 today, overtaking Canterbury. It's now a forgone conclusion that Sheffield will exceed 900 enteries by the weekend. A fabulous job done by everyone involved - it is already the sixth most well attended Bristish Championship of the 21st century and maybe, just maybe, a late surge could take that figure beyond that 2009 Torquay:

Edinburgh (2003) 1009
Torquay (2002) 973
Scarborough (2001) 960
Scarborough (2004) 940
Torquay (2009) 935
SHEFFIELD (2011) 898
Canterbury (2010) 891
Great Yarmouth (2007) 824
Swansea (2006) 768
Liverpool (2008) 742
Millfield (2000) 711
Isle of Man (2005) 503

For anyone who is interested here is a list of entries by section since 1989:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreads ... y=COnCkZEJ

though Canterbury needs checking and of course we have lots of entries to come in the Week 2 events at Sheffield!

I think we will even beat Torquay...

[Alex Holowczak]

One thing I've noticed - there seems to have been a lot of chess tourists. I've seen players who play for my club in Birmingham taking day visits up to Sheffield just to watch the GMs in action. There are a lot of morning players hanging around in the afternoon to watch. Maybe having Adams, Short et al has had a positive influence on the event in terms of entries?

[David Pardoe]

The last time I played at the British was in 1973, Eastbourne, when I had quite a pleasant holiday combined with the week 2 `am` event, when I narrowly pipped R J Fisher for the prize. I think Bill Harston, or was it Ray Keene won the Championship that year.

Anyway, this years entries look very encouraging...and still time for late entries to this w/e`s events & next weeks 5-day` specials.
Interesting to look at the numbers entering each section. Ive been quite impressed by the junior entries.
But maybe the prize funds for some sections could be increased a tad, ie about 25% in the case of this w/e Aitkins event, for example. My other minor gripe regarding these w/e events is the timing of the Friday night sessions..ie, 7pm til 11 pm. I`m wondering if the round 1 timings could be tweeked to finish at 10.45pm, to allow those catching trains a slightly better chance of catching the last train. Alternatively, could we (by advance arrangement) arrange with BR to have the timings of the last trains put back by 15 mins. Its disappointing that BRs last trains tend to run at about 11pm....a midnight `special` might help some people, but maybe they would be full of late night revellers...

[Jon Mahony]

The last time I played at the British was in 1973, Eastbourne, when I had quite a pleasant holiday combined with the week 2 `am` event, when I narrowly pipped R J Fisher for the prize. I think Bill Harston, or was it Ray Keene won the Championship that year.

Anyway, this years entries look very encouraging...and still time for late entries to this w/e`s events & next weeks 5-day` specials.
Interesting to look at the numbers entering each section. Ive been quite impressed by the junior entries.
But maybe the prize funds for some sections could be increased a tad, ie about 25% in the case of this w/e Aitkins event, for example. My other minor gripe regarding these w/e events is the timing of the Friday night sessions..ie, 7pm til 11 pm. I`m wondering if the round 1 timings could be tweeked to finish at 10.45pm, to allow those catching trains a slightly better chance of catching the last train. Alternatively, could we (by advance arrangement) arrange with BR to have the timings of the last trains put back by 15 mins. Its disappointing that BRs last trains tend to run at about 11pm....a midnight `special` might help some people, but maybe they would be full of late night revellers...

Hi David
Is it too late to enter the U120’s championships starting on Monday?

I was originally going to go, but gradually other members of my club who were going, all decided to back out, and as I didn’t fancy going alone I didn’t bother entering either.

However I’ve since been offered a lift 2 out of the 5 days, and as 3 days train fair to Sheffield won’t break the bank it seems a shame not to go, having booked the week off work and all.

If it’s too late for the U120’s I might think about one of the other tourneys I had a look at the website but couldn't see an enter online link, just the print off entry form.

[Adam Raoof]

Hi David
Is it too late to enter the U120’s championships starting on Monday?

I was originally going to go, but gradually other members of my club who were going, all decided to back out, and as I didn’t fancy going alone I didn’t bother entering either.

However I’ve since been offered a lift 2 out of the 5 days, and as 3 days train fair to Sheffield won’t break the bank it seems a shame not to go, having booked the week off work and all.

If it’s too late for the U120’s I might think about one of the other tourneys I had a look at the website but couldn't see an enter online link, just the print off entry form.

Hi Jon - ring 0114 223 3535 - the Congress Office - and see what they advise. Never too late for more entries!

[edit] you could enter by post to

Roger Edwards, British Chess Championships,
Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Sheaf Street, Sheffield S1 2BP.

but the phone is probably the most efficient way now!

[Jon Mahony]

Hi David
Is it too late to enter the U120’s championships starting on Monday?

I was originally going to go, but gradually other members of my club who were going, all decided to back out, and as I didn’t fancy going alone I didn’t bother entering either.

However I’ve since been offered a lift 2 out of the 5 days, and as 3 days train fair to Sheffield won’t break the bank it seems a shame not to go, having booked the week off work and all.

If it’s too late for the U120’s I might think about one of the other tourneys I had a look at the website but couldn't see an enter online link, just the print off entry form.

Hi Jon - ring 0114 223 3535 - the Congress Office - and see what they advise. Never too late for more entries!

[edit] you could enter by post to

Roger Edwards, British Chess Championships,
Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Sheaf Street, Sheffield S1 2BP.

Cheers Adam, will give them a call

but the phone is probably the most efficient way now!

[Jon Mahony]

Hi David
Is it too late to enter the U120’s championships starting on Monday?

I was originally going to go, but gradually other members of my club who were going, all decided to back out, and as I didn’t fancy going alone I didn’t bother entering either.

However I’ve since been offered a lift 2 out of the 5 days, and as 3 days train fair to Sheffield won’t break the bank it seems a shame not to go, having booked the week off work and all.

If it’s too late for the U120’s I might think about one of the other tourneys I had a look at the website but couldn't see an enter online link, just the print off entry form.

Hi Jon - ring 0114 223 3535 - the Congress Office - and see what they advise. Never too late for more entries!

[edit] you could enter by post to

Roger Edwards, British Chess Championships,
Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Sheaf Street, Sheffield S1 2BP.

Cheers Adam, will give them a call

[Michele Clack]

On britishchess2011.com, on the entrants page they are asking people not to phone the office but to e-mail Roger Edwards at [email protected] with their entries and pay the fee when they get to Sheffield.

[Adam Raoof]

News just in; we have 951 entries so far. This beats Torquay 2009 and threatens Scarborough 2004!

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreads ... y=COnCkZEJ

[cjdemooi]

966 and counting...

[Christopher Kreuzer]

966 and counting...

In another thread, we were told: "With the final tournament starting this afternoon the total number of paid and played stands at 951." How are the numbers still rising after the final tournament has started? Ah, hang on, people were still entering for that final tournament? Another 15 people turned up?

[cjdemooi]

I believe Alex has said that entries may be received but aren't added to the total until they've been processed

[Christopher Kreuzer]

I believe Alex has said that entries may be received but aren't added to the total until they've been processed

Thanks. Looks like the second-highest ever on record, so far. Beaten both Scarborough entries. Looking forward to seeing what the final figure will be.