Entry
Cheques should be made payable to ‘Hastings International Chess Congress’. Entries should be sent to the Congress Chairman – Congress Chairman, The Hastings Chess Club, 2 Cornwallis Terrace, Hastings TN34 1EB Tel: 01424 436313 Email: HICCchairman@hastingschess.club – or via the online form.
The Congress reserves the right to refuse any entry.
Refunds
A deduction of 10% will be made from any refund to cover any costs, and refunds will only be made if notification of withdrawal is received by the Chairman no later than 22 December 2021. Late entries will invoke a late entry fee of £10.00 (the Masters) and £6.00 (other tournaments) for entries postmarked after 20 December 2021 (or 28 December 2021 for the Weekend Tournaments)
Eligibility to play in an event will be determined by the rating lists as of 1 December 2021.
Visas
Players needing visas should apply by 19 November 2021. For a formal invitation, contact Pam Thomas Tel: 01424 445348 Email: pae123@aol.com
The Maureen Charlesworth Trophy and £100 will be awarded for the most meritorious performance by a local player. Players may take a half-point bye in any round except the last. Requests for such byes must be stated on the entry form. A player may only win one prize per section.
Players needing to join the English Chess Federation should visit https://www.englishchess.org.uk/ecf-membership-rates-and-joining-details/
Players are advised that they should expect to pay a minimum of £40.00 per person per night for bed and breakfast accommodation in Hastings. Please note that players are responsible for their own insurance against damage or loss to personal property. The Hastings Borough Council website at
https://www.visit1066country.com/ gives information on all aspects of the town, including accommodation and travel.
Names of entrants to all tournaments will appear from October. The final cross‐tables of all tournaments will be displayed on this website.
The Congress would also like to thank those who made donations. Subject to confirmation on this website, the telephone number of the Chess Office at Horntye Park will be 07923 272052 from 29 December 2021.
Juniors are players under 18 years on 1 January 2022. Veterans are players over 65 years or over on 1st January 2022. The latest Covid arrangements will be published on this website. These arrangements are a condition of entry that may be subject to change
John Robinson Youth Chess Trust
Hastings International Chess Congress gratefully acknowledges the support given by the John Robinson Youth Chess Trust; some assistance may be available for suitable players under 18 on 1 January 2022.
Hastings Chess Congress wishes to draw attention to its adopted Safeguarding Policy —
- Prevention (to provide a positive atmosphere which encourages junior chess)
- Protection (having an agreed procedure, ensuring that organisers and tournament officers are able to respond appropriately and sensitively to safeguarding concerns)
- Support (to anyone who may have encountered abuse at the event
Refreshments while at the board
Players must confine their refreshments to tea, coffee and cold drinks. Players should note that under UK law smoking is banned in all inside areas of Horntye Park Sports Complex. This also includes e‐cigarettes.
Horntye will present a prize of £100 and a trophy for the winner of the best game.
Members of Hastings Chess Club and players residing in the Borough of Hastings receive a £10 discount from the entry fee for the Christmas, New Year, and Weekend.
The playing venue – Horntye Park Sports Complex ‐ is accessible only from Bohemia Road TN34 1EX Tel: 01424 716666. It is a spacious chess venue with excellent lighting. It is just over 1km from the town centre. Bus services run from the town centre to the venue (not on New Year’s Day). There is adequate car‐parking space. It is accessible for players with disabilities. It includes toilet facilities for the disabled and a lift between floors. Catering will be available during most of the playing times.
Supporters of the Hastings Masters Tournament
The Lansdowne Hotel, 1‐2 Robertson Terrace, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 1JE Tel : 01424 429605
The White Rock Hotel Tel: 01424 422240
Information for overseas players
It is better to fly to Gatwick, as there is a direct rail link to Hastings. Those arriving at Heathrow or Stansted airports should travel to Charing Cross Station and those coming from Luton airport should travel via St. Pancras International and then to Hastings via the Ashford high speed service. Players from London should travel on the direct trains from Charing Cross, Waterloo East or London Bridge stations. Please note that there are no trains to Hastings on 25 or 26 December. National Express Coaches also have daily service between London and Hastings (not 25 December). Further information can be found at https://www.nationalexpress.com/en.
Announcements to ALL participants
Electronic devices such as mobile phones, Fitbits, etc. must be completely switched off and placed in a bag at the player’s table. The bag must not be moved at any time during the game. The devices must remain off until away from the tournament hall.