The Caplin 95th Hastings International Chess Congress will take place from Saturday 28th December 2019 to Sunday 5th January 2020 at Horntye Park Sports Complex Bohemia Road, Hastings TN34 1EX.
The Congress is delighted to have a new sponsor – Caplin Systems. The company is based in the City of London and provides global and regional banks with proven technology and award-winning interfaces to support electronic multi-asset trading. Their CEO, Mr. John Ashworth,is a keen chess player and is looking forward to being involved with the event.
Hastings Borough Council has, once again, provided sponsorship as in past years, and the Congress recognises their loyalty and thanks them for their support. Additional support came from generous donors who responded to the on-line appeal earlier in the year and we much appreciated their instant response.
As in past years the English Chess Federation, The White Rock Hotel, The Lansdowne Hotel, KC Computers, Friends of Chess and the John Robinson Youth Chess Trust are all lending their vital support.
The additional sponsorship means that it was possible to attract a greater number of grandmasters to the Masters event this year and so far there are 17 taking part. Among them Romain Edouard (FRA), Erik Van Den Doel (NED), Deep Sengupta (IND), Oleg Korneev (ESP) and Petr Kiriakov (RUS). Simon Williams (ENG) Daniel Gormally and Keith Arkell are among the English players.
As well as the 9-round Masters, there will be five round Christmas, New Year Morning and Afternoon events and a Weekend Open, Intermediate and Under 130. The weekend events will take place on 3rd, 4th and 5th January 2020.
The John Robinson Youth Chess Trust is once again providing bursaries for English junior players, and we very much encourage entries. These opportunities are particularly helpful for those seeking FIDE norms. Dr. John Higgs will present the bursaries at the opening ceremony.
The event will be officially opened by Mr. John Ashworth, CEO of Caplin Systems, and Cllr. Peter Chowney, Leader of Hastings Borough Council, at 14.00 on Saturday 28th December 2019.
Grandmaster Chris Ward will be giving his usual entertaining commentary from 14.45 each day, and visitors are welcome to come and watch the games or listen to the commentary – entry is free.
The Christmas, New Year and Weekend events will start at 09.30 each day and the Masters at 14.15 each day. For further information contact Pam Thomas Email: pae123@aol.com Tel: 01424 445348 or 07817 446070 …