Online entry form. List of entries received to date Facebook Accommodation
54th Cotswold Congress
ECF Chessable Grand Prix Event
Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th and Monday 27th May 2024
King's School, Pitt Street, Gloucester, GL1 2BG

The Open will be FIDE rated and include the Gloucestershire Individual County Championship. To play in the Open you must be an ECF member at Gold level or above or a member of your national chess association.
Venue
The congress committee is very grateful to The King's School, Gloucester for allowing the use of their school hall for this event.
  • The King's School is situated in the heart of the city, next to the Cathedral. If you are using SatNav please enter 'Gouda Way' - this will bring you directly to the main school entrance and car parks. Entry on foot is via Pitt Street
  • There is ample free parking available in the school grounds.
  • Disclaimer - The school cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising at the congress.
  • Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the school premises. Please do not drop litter.
  • Personal mains electrical equipment is not permitted to be used on the school premises.
  • Mobile phones must be switched off in and around the playing area.
    • General
    Accommodation
    Gloucester Tourist Information is within the museum, Brunswick Road, Gloucester, GL1 1HP; tel: 01452 396572 or visit https://www.visitgloucester.co.uk/where-to-stay/ to book accommodation online.
    Refreshments
    There are numerous eating and drinking establishments within walking distance.
    Players with impairments
    Please indicate if you have any impairment which requires special circumstances or remedial actions which need to be taken.
    Equipment
    The congress committee wishes to thank the Bude Chess Centre for providing the playing equipment. Email: chess@budechess.co.uk Tel: 01288 353070
    Emergency contact number
    If you are delayed en route or cannot turn up for a game, please text 07910 240299
    Sections
    Open
    Open to all.
    Major
    For players rated below 1860.
    Minor
    For players rated below 1635.
    Gloucestershire Individual County Championship
    The title of County Champion will be awarded to the highest scoring eligible player in the Open section. The eligibility criteria are as follows:
  • Membership of the Gloucestershire County Chess Association and one of the following:
  • Birth in the area comprising Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire and that part of the City of Bristol lying north of the River Avon.
  • Five years consecutive residence in the said area at any time.
  • One month immediately previous and present residence in the said area.
  • Two months immediately previous and present membership of a club either in the said area or affiliated to the Association.
  • Present attendance as a teacher or student at a school, college or university in the said area.
    • Rating
  • The March 2024 ECF rating list will be used to determine selection allocation. Unrated players must provide evidence of their playing strength, including recent results, previous ratings/grades, prizes won and a reasonable estimate of rating.  Prizes for unrated players will be at the discretion of the congress committee
  • Unrated players must provide evidence of their playing strength, including recent results, previous grades or ratings, prizes won and a reasonable rating estimate. Prizes for unrated players will be at the discretion of the congress committee.
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    Schedule
    Round 1 Saturday 25th 10.00 a.m.
    Round 2 Saturday 25th 3.00 p.m.
    Round 3 Sunday 26th 10.00 a.m.
    Round 4 Sunday 26th 3.00 p.m.
    Round 5 Monday 27th 10.00 a.m.
    Round 6 Monday 27th 3.00 p.m.
    Rate and Conditions of Play
  • Digital clocks will be used. Each player will receive 90 minutes plus 30-second increment per move from move one.
  • If a player has not arrived for their game within 30 minutes of the start time, that player will be defaulted, and the controllers may re-pair his/her opponent.
  • Players must abide by the FIDE laws of chess and any decisions made by the controllers in interpretation of the Laws are final.
  • Competitors may request a ½-point bye in any one round (except the final round) before the start of the congress.
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    Prizes
    Open
    1st £300. 2nd £200. 3rd £140.
    Major
    1st £240. 2nd £160. 3rd £110.
    Minor
    1st £240. 2nd £160. 3rd £110.
    Other prizes may be awarded, at the discretion of the organisers, based on the number of entries to each section.
    ECF membership
    Current ECF membership is required at the Silver level (Gold for the Open). Players (including juniors) not satisfying this condition at 23rd May 2024, including Bronze members, will need to pay a "pay to play" fee of £10 in addition to their entry fee. At the end of the congress the organisers will arrange for this to be paid to the ECF.
    Entries
  • Entries will be accepted up to Midday on Wednesday 22nd May (or when maximum comfortable capacity has been reached) only if the entry fee has been paid on or before Midday on Thursday 23rd May.
  • The congress committee reserves the right to refuse entry and to transfer competitors to other sections and to cancel or split any section at its discretion.
  • Information provided on the entry form may be recorded and used for congress administration, mailing lists (no information is provided to third parties for this purpose) and rating purposes. Photos may be taken for use on the congress Facebook page or website. If you do not want your photo published, please inform the organisers.
  • Enquiries by email up to Wednesday, 22nd May to cotswoldcongress@gmail.com
    • Entry Fees
    Open: £40. Major and Minor: £33. Players under 18 years old at 23rd May 2024 may deduct £4 from the entry fee; please give date of birth. Entries are only considered completed only when the entry fee has been paid by the due date.
    Enter online
    Complete the online entry form. and follow the instructions for payment and submission OR
    download the brochure, print and complete the paper entry form and send it to Matthew Hammond, 12 Serlo Road, Gloucester, GL1 2QW. Details of how to pay are in the brochure.