World School Chess Championships

The “Galaxias” Chess Club of Thessaloniki and the Greek Chess Federation have the honour of inviting National Chess Federations, and eligible players in the World School Championship 2009 organised in Thessaloniki, Greece from 26th April (Arrival) to 4th of May (Departure) 2009.The first winner in each open age category is the FIDE World School Champion for 2009 and the first girl in each girl age category is the FIDE World Girl School Champions for 2009. According to the regulations they are awarded with the FIDE Candidate Master title.

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 2009 (date of Birth – January 1st, 2002 and after) – Tournament Under 7;

Of 9, by 1st January 2009 (date of Birth – January 1st, 2000 and after) – Tournament Under 9;

Of 11, by 1st January 2009 (date of Birth–January 1st, 1998 and after) – Tournament Under 11;

Of 13, by 1st January 2009 (date of Birth – January 1st, 1996 and after) – Tournament Under 13;

Of 15, by 1st January 2009 (date of Birth – January 1st, 1994 and after) – Tournament Under 15;

Of 15, by 1st January 2009 (date of Birth – January 1st, 1992 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.

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

Each participant must pay 30 EUR to the Organizing Committee as a registration fee.

In accordance with FIDE regulations an entry FIDE fee of 40 EUR is required for each player. Their National Federations must send this amount directly to FIDE. 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 March 6th 2009. If the registration form is not forwarded by the Federation a copy must be sent to the National Federation. The individual participations must have the approval of the National Federations.

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 Capsis Hotel) with return on the departure day is 30 EUR per person.

4.4 At the time of registration till Friday March 6th 2009 the amount of 30 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:

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 CAPSIS HOTEL****. Playing Hall is Conference Hall at the GRAND HOTEL PALACE*****. Capsis Hotel is 1.5 km distance from Grand Hotel Palace in the same street.

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 2009.

5.4. Lodging for players, coaches and accompanying persons will cost per person, for 7 nights (26/4 to 3/5 or 27/4 – 4/5 2009) HB (includes breakfast & one meal in buffet): For 8 nights (26/4 to 4/5 2009) add the charge of one night. More nights at the same prices are possible on request. For the second meal, participants will have plenty of choices.

VENUE: GRAND HOTEL PALACE (5 stars)

SINGLE ROOM PACKAGE 100 ˆ per person per day
DOUBLE ROOM PACKAGE 60 ˆ per person per day
TRIPLE ROOM PACKAGE 52 ˆ per person per day
Kids 0 – 5 Free of charge Free of charge

All the packages include:

Breakfast and Dinner in 5 stars Restaurant
Free use of Gymnastirium
Free use of Sauna
Free use of Internal Heating Swimming Pool
Free transfers to Thessaloniki center

CAPSIS HOTEL(4stars)

SINGLE ROOM PACKAGE 80 ˆ per person per day
DOUBLE ROOM PACKAGE 50 ˆ per person per day
TRIPLE ROOM PACKAGE 45 ˆ per person per day

All the packages include: breakfast and dinner in 4 stars Restaurant

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 27th 12:00 will not be paired for the first round.

Sunday April 26th Arrival of Participants
Monday April 27th 12:00 Technical Meeting – Pairings
Monday April 27th 17:00 Round 1
Tuesday April 28th 10:00 Round 2
Tuesday April 28th 17:00 Round 3
Wednesday April 29th 17:00 Round 4
Thursday April 30th 17:00 Round 5
Friday May 1st 10:00 Round 6
Friday May 1st 17:00 Round 7
Saturday May 2nd 17:00 Round 8
Sunday May 3rd 10:00 Round 9
Sunday May 3rd 16:00 Closing Ceremony
Sunday May 3rd 18:00 Blitz tournament

PRIZES – TITLES

8.1. The first winner in each open age category is the FIDE World School Champion for 2009 and the first girl in each girl age category is the FIDE World Girl School Champions for 2009. According to the regulations they are awarded with the FIDE Candidate Master title.

8.2. Special offer: The 5 FIDE Champions (U9, U11, U13, U15, and U17) and the 5 GIRLS FIDE Champions (U9, U11, U13, U15, and U17) will play as invited players (free accommodation) in the 2009 World School Chess Championship in Antalya, Turkey. The invitation is a very kind offer of the Turkish Chess Federation.