Organised by the St Albans Chess Club, the annual St Albans Chess Congress has become one of the most popular congresses in the area, regularly attracting around 200 participants. The venue at St Columba’s College provides abundant parking, a spacious main playing area, a large relaxation area, and a canteen serving breakfast, lunch and hot or cold snacks and drinks throughout the day.
The 2013 Congress will be held on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 April – two weeks after Easter.
There are five tournaments:
Open – no grade limits
Challengers – for players graded 180 and below
Major – for players graded 160 and below
Intermediate – for players graded 140 and below
Minor – for players graded 120 and below
There is over £2,500 in prize money. The prizes for each tournament are £250, £125 and £65 (£300, £150 and £75 for the Open tournament). There are grading prizes for each tournament, and also veteran and junior prizes.
The format is a 5 round Swiss tournament, with three rounds played on the Saturday and two on the Sunday. A player may request a ½ point bye in advance for any one round except round 5.
Rates of Play: 36 moves in 90 minutes (30 moves in 75 minutes for re-paired games). Unfinished games will be decided by a 15 minute Quick Play finish.
http://www.stalbanscongress.com
$1 million 1st prize?