European School Chess 2010

European School Chess Championship 2010 is part of the Games Festival. It will take place 5th (1st round) – 11th (last round) April 2010, download the School Open Forms.

Here are the general regulations, download a pdf file with full information here.

1. INVITATION
The ¨Galaxias¨ Chess Club of Thessaloniki and the Greek Chess Federation have the honour of inviting National Chess Federations, and eligible players in the European School Championship 2010 (International School Cup) organised in Thessaloniki, Greece from 04th April (Arrival) to 12th April (Departure) 2010

2. PARTICIPATION – AGE LIMITS

2.1. Each National Federation or School Association or schools may enter an unlimited number of players in each of the 12 age groups. In case that one girl group is less than 10 participants then it will be merged with the same open age group category.

2.2. Entitled to participate are players (Boys & Girls) who shall not have reached the age:

Of 7, by 1st January 2010 (date of Birth – January 1st, 2003 and after) – Tournament Under 7;
Of 9, by 1st January 2010 (date of Birth – January 1st, 2001 and after) – Tournament Under 9;
Of 11, by 1st January 2010 (date of Birth– January 1st, 1999 and after) – Tournament Under 11;
Of 13, by 1st January 2010 (date of Birth – January 1st, 1997 and after) – Tournament Under 13;
Of 15, by 1st January 2010 (date of Birth – January 1st, 1995 and after) – Tournament Under 15;
Of 17, by 1st January 2010 (date of Birth – January 1st, 1993 and after) – Tournament Under 17;

Upon arrival, captains or players may be requested to present the passports of their players for verification of age eligibility.

2.3. Accommodation and travel expenses will be covered from the participants, federations, schools and their Sponsors. Delegations of players must be accompanied at least by an adult (chief, coach or parent), who is taking care about the travel details.

3. CONDITIONS OF ENTRY – FEES

3.1. Each participant must pay 35 EUR to the Organizing Committee as a registration fee.

3.2 ECU fee: In accordance with the ECU regulations an ECU entry fee of 20 EUR is required for each player.
Their National Federations must send this amount directly to the ECU. For participants who registered through their School, the FIDE entry fee must be paid before the start of the first round either to their National Federation (proved by a receipt document) or to the Organizing Committee in Thessaloniki.

4. REGISTRATION AND TRAVEL CONDITIONS

4.1 Entry forms must be sent from the National Federations or the players and returned to the Organizing Committee not later than Friday February 26th 2010. If the registration form is not forwarded by the Federation a copy must be sent to the National Federation.

4.2 The complete registration form must include the surname/s, first name/s, FIDE ID number, FIDE rating and passport number (for visa only purpose) of each player and each accompanying person. It must also include the name and telephone/e-mail/fax number of the Delegation chief.

4.3 The cost of bus transportation from Thessaloniki airport (25 km) to the Tournament hotels (Grand Hotel Palace and Mediterranean Palace Hotel) with return on the departure day is 30 EUR per person.

4.4 At the time of registration till Friday February 26th 2010 the amount of 35 EUR (registration) +
50% of the total accommodation cost + 30 EUR transportation cost (if required) must be transferred , free of bank charges, to the following bank account of the Organizing Committee for each participant or accompanying person. Rest of payments must be made the latest on arrival. Delegations are advised to pay the total amount of their expenses through the bank account before their arrival:

Bank Account: BANK: EFG EUROBANK ERGASIAS S.A.
SWIFT/BIC : EFGBGRAA.
IBAN: GR3102601380000960200289132
BANK CODE: 026
BRANCH CODE: 0138
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 0026.0138.96.0200289132
BANK ADDRESS: SALAMINOS STREET
THESSALONIKI GREECE
ACCOUNT HOLDER: THEODOROS TSORBATZOGLOU

ONLINE BOOKINGS for CHESS: www.eventravel.net

The hotel bookings and transfers can be made and with online credit card payment through the only authorized site: www.eventravel.net . From the menu choose Games Festival then Chess and the package of your choice. Once the transfer has been confirmed, the Organising Committee will confirm the assigned booking confirmation for all the hotel reservations.

5. VENUE – ACCOMMODATION

5.1. Accommodation and board will be provided at GRAND HOTEL PALACE ***** and MEDITERRANEAN PALACE HOTEL. Playing Hall is Conference Hall (lobby area) at the GRAND HOTEL PALACE.

5.2. Every participant is obliged to lodge at the official hotels. Every accompanying person that
requests a visa from the Organizing Committee is obliged to lodge at the official hotels. Bookings are made only through the Organizing Committee (fill registrations and bookings forms).

5.3. Hotel payments for all players and accompanying persons must be made in advance as described in
registration process and the rest 50% the latest by arrival. Hotel payments must be paid in EUR currency (euros). No future payments of hotel bills will be accepted. Cancellations are not possible after 1st March 2010.

5.4. Lodging for players, coaches and accompanying persons will cost per person, for 6 or 7 nights (includes breakfast & one meal in buffet): For 8 nights or more nights add the charge of one or more nights.

Bookings are possible only by the Organizing Committee by priority for each hotel

6. RULES AND REGULATIONS

6.1. The tournament will be played according to the Swiss System in 9 rounds. National ratings will not be
taken into consideration for the pairings. Rate of play will be according to FIDE regulations 90 minutes for 40 moves plus 30 minutes for the rest of the Game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 1. Participants who have not confirmed their participation by Monday April 5th 12:00 will not be paired for the first round.

7. PLAYING SCHEDULE

Sunday April 4th Arrival of Participants – Confirmations
Monday April 5th 12:00 Technical Meeting – Pairings
Monday April 5th 16:00 Round 1
Tuesday April 6th 10:00 Round 2
Tuesday April 6th 17:00 Round 3
Wednesday April 7th 16:00 Round 4
Thursday April 8th 16:00 Round 5
Friday April 9th 10:00 Round 6
Friday April 9th 17:00 Round 7
Saturday April 10th 16:00 Round 8
Sunday April 11th 09:00 Round 9
Sunday April 11th 16:00 Closing Ceremony
Sunday April 11h 18:00 Blitz tournament
Monday April 12th Departures of Participants

8. PRIZES – TITLES

8.1. The first European winner in each open age category is the European School Champion for 2010 and the
first European girl in each girl age category is the European Girl School Champions for 2010. They awarded
with trophies and special diplomas.

8.2. Special Prizes:

The 5 first winners (U9, U11, U13, U15, and U17) and the 5 Girls winners (U9, U11, U13, U15, and U17) will play as invited players (free accommodation) in the 2010 World School Chess Championship on July 2010 in Turkey. The invitation is a very kind offer of the Turkish Chess Federation.

The 5 second winners (U9, U11, U13, U15, and U17) and the 5 second Girls winners (U9, U11, U13, U15, and U17) will have 50% discount in their accommodation package in the 2010 World Youth Chess Championship on November 2010 in Greece. The invitation is a very kind offer the Organising Committee “Porto Carras WYCC 2010″.

*The special prizes (open to all Fide participants) are personal and only for the winners of first or second positions.

The players who win the special prizes must have necessarily the approval of their National Federation to play in the World School or World Youth Championship.

8.3. GENERAL STANDINGS PRIZES (total 36 prizes)
5 First open winners
(U9, U11, U13, U15, U17)
Invited participants World School 2010
Special Gifts
TROPHIES
5 First Girl winners
(U9, U11, U13, U15, U17)
Invited participants World School 2010
Special Gifts
TROPHIES
5 Second open winners
(U9, U11, U13, U15, U17)
50% discount World Youth 2010
Special Gifts
MEDALS
5 Second Girl winners
(U9, U11, U13, U15, U17)
50% discount World Youth 2010
Special Gifts
MEDALS
First winner U7
First Girl winner U7
Special Gifts TROPHIES
3 first boys in each Category Gifts MEDALS
3 first girls in each Category Gifts MEDALS
8.4. SPECIAL PRIZES (total 10)
1st player born 2002 (U9)
1st girl born 2002 (GU9 )
Gifts
MEDALS
1st player born 2000 (U11)
1st girl born 2000 (GU11)
Gifts
MEDALS
1st player born 1998 (U13)
1st girl born 1998 (GU13)
Gifts
MEDALS
1st player born 1996 (U15)
1st player born 1996 (GU15)
Gifts
MEDALS
1st player born 1994 (U17)
1st player born 1994 (GU17)
Gifts
MEDALS

8.5. TEAM PRIZES (total 3)

Three special trophies for country or school delegations of 5 participants, which will play at least in 2 ages
groups (winners will be named according to the best 5 individual results).

8.6. Special Diplomas of participation for all players

9. CHESS PROGRAM – GAMES FESTIVAL http://gamesfestival.chessdom.com

• International Open Chess Tournament
9 rounds Swiss system – same schedule day and time with the School Championship
• European Chess Championship & Rapid
9 rounds Swiss system – 8 -18 April 2010
• International Open Blitz Tournament
7 rounds Swiss system – Sunday 11 April 18:00 – Money Prizes
• International Arbiter Seminar
According the FIDE rules – Arbiter norms and titles
7 – 10 April 2010 (exams) min participants: 8
Information: Takis Nikolopoulos IA, Chairman of FIDE Arbiter Council
• Excursions Program
The O.C. will propose excursions in ancient and famous Greek places
• Special offers for Easter in Greece, Thessaloniki or Halkidiki ( 1 – 4 April 2010)

10. CONTACT THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE
Tournament Manager
Theodora’s Tsorbatzoglou – Tel.- Fax.: +30 2310865778 – E-mail: teotsorb@otenet.gr
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL CHESS UNION
Alexander Kostyev – Tel-Fax: +7 095 425 61 96 – E-mail: iscu@mail.ru
Chief Arbiter anagiotis Nikolopoulos – E-mail: takisnik@yahoo.com

11. VISA INFORMATION -
Teams or players needing visas are requested to contact the Organizing Committee before February 26th 2010 and apply on time to Greek Authorities. The Organizing Committee will provide invitations for visas only after the necessary payments. The O.C has no responsibility on late or not complete applications.