Members of Hastings and St.Leonards Chess Club and players residing in the Borough of Hastings may deduct 50% from the entry fee for the Masters Tournament, £14 from entry fee for Christmas, New Year and Weekend Major and Minor Tournaments and £10 from Weekend U-120 tournament.
Cheques should be made payable to ‘Hastings International Chess Congress’. Entries should be sent to the Congress Director (address given below). If an acknowledgement of entry is required a stamped addressed envelope must be enclosed.
A late entry fee of £12 to the Masters and £6 to other tournaments will be charged for entries postmarked after 11 December (or 29 December for the Weekend Congress)
The Congress reserves the right to refuse any entry. Except in such cases, a deduction of 20% will normally be made from any refund of entry fee. Refunds will be made only if notification of withdrawal is received by the Director no later than 23 December 2013.
ECF grades used in the Congress will be those in force on the first day of the relevant tournament. FIDE Ratings from the December 2013 list will apply for all rated events.
Visas
Players needing visas should apply by 20 November 2013. For a formal invitation contact Stewart Reuben – stewartreuben@aol.com
Evening Events
There will be a number of special evening events, such as blitz or pairs tournaments. Further details will be announced in the programme. Players are welcome to come along to the White Rock Hotel from about 20hrs. on Friday 27 December, where we expect to publish the provisional draws for the first day’s play at about 22.00hrs.
Mobile Phones
Players and spectators should not bring mobile phones or electronic storage devices to the venue. If it is necessary to bring such devices to the venue, they must be switched off at all times and not used for any purpose. Any player whose phone makes any sound during play will lose.
Information for Overseas Players
It is better to fly to Gatwick as there is then a direct rail link to Hastings. Those coming to Heathrow or Stansted airports should travel to Charing Cross Station and those coming from Luton airport should travel to London Bridge. Both of these stations have a direct rail link to Hastings.
Those travelling on selected Eurostar trains from Paris should alight at Ashford International Station for an easy direct connection to Hastings. Other Eurostar passengers should travel to London St.Pancras/Kings Cross and then to Hastings via Charing Cross, London Bridge or Victoria.
Overseas players are also advised that they should expect to pay a minimum of £25 per person per night for bed and breakfast accommodation in Hastings. Players should note that under UK law smoking is banned in all inside areas of Horntye Park Sports Complex.
Please note players are responsible for their own insurance against damage or loss to personal property.
The Hastings Borough Council website www.visithastings.com gives information on all aspects of the town including accommodation and travel.
Congress Director: Con Power
418 Harold Road, Hastings, East Sussex TN35 5HG Tel: 01424 431970 Email: conpowr@aol.com
A list of hotels and guest houses in Hastings can be obtained from this address.
Please note when the Congress Director is unavailable queries should be addressed to Pam Thomas Tel: 01424 445348 Email: pae123@aol.com