e2e4 Basingstoke International is set to take place on 27th-31st October 2012 at the Basingstoke Country Hotel, Scures Hill, Nately Scures, Nr. Hook, Hampshire, RG27 9JS. The Masters is a 9 round swiss that will offer players the opportunity to play exclusively stronger players and achieve GM & IM norms.
The Masters is strictly open only to players rated 2100 or above, titled players, and those who have qualified via a previous International Challengers section. e2e4 will invite at least 3 GMs to play, with at least 1 extra GM for every 10 paying players. This will be a very special event!
The Challengers is also a 9 round FIDE rated swiss open to untitled players rated over 1900, or graded above 155 ECF. For every 10 players entered, we will offer a qualifying place for a future Masters event free of charge.
The Intermediate is a 9 round FIDE rated swiss for players rated over 1750 (or graded above 130) and below 2000 (175 ECF). For every 10 players entered, we will offer a qualifying place for a future Challengers event free of charge.
The Major is open to all players rated below 1850 (or graded below 150 ECF) who want to play 9 competitive FIDE rated games of chess in a friendly atmosphere with the opportunity to gain those all important rating points or obtain their first ever FIDE rating.
The Seniors is open to all players aged 60 or over. It is a 5 round FIDE rated swiss, with one game a day, played in beautiful surroundings.
English players must be Gold members of the ECF, or upgrade their Silver or Bronze membership to Gold.
FIDE ratings now go down to 1001 so it is realistic for any player graded 60 ECF or above to obtain a FIDE rating.
Top rated players are IM Hawkins Jonathan 4NCL Cheddleton 2511, GM Lalic Bogdan Croatia 2488, GM Vakhidov Tahir Uzbekistan 2466, GM Arkell Keith 4NCL Cheddleton 2456, GM Thorhallsson Iceland 2436, IM Ghasi Ameet K 4NCL e2e4 2430, IM D’Costa Lorin 4NCL Barbican 2426, IM Cobb James Clifton 2423, IM Zhou Yang-Fan Whitgift 2414 and IM Hanley Craig Hampshire 2406.
Nice field.