Worcester Open Chess Congress

Fourth Congress on 21 and 22 July 2012

Prime movers Andrew Farthing, Andrew Moore and others repeat last year's successful formula combining an enjoyable chess tournament with fundraising for a local charity. Last year, the event raised over £650 for Age Concern, Sandwell.

Open and three graded tournaments

Open, under-160, under-135, and under-115 sections are planned controlled by Alan Ruffle, Matthew Carr, Andrew Moore and Colin Reed. Each tournament will be five rounds: three on Saturday and two on Sunday.

The main playing hall (Jeremy Greenow)

University Worcester, St John's campus (Jeremy Greenow)

Venue

The congress is at the University of Worcester, which has parking and overnight accommodation. Visit the university website for travel directions.

2012 charity is St Richard's Hospice

This year's designated charity is the St Richard's Hospice in Worcester (Charity no. 515668), which each year provides free care for around 2,200 patients and family members in Worcestershire who are living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses

Entry fees, discounts and prizes

Open £26; other tournaments £21. Discounts for juniors £4 and English Chess Federation members £2 for entries received by 17 July. At the organisers' discretion late entries may be accepted with a late fee surcharge, but regret they cannot accept entries on the day of the congress.

First, second, and third prizes in the Open are £200, £100 and £50 respectively. In the other tournaments prizes are: £100, £60 and £40. Prize-giving will be at about 6pm on Sunday.

Now's the time to fill in your entry form, which contains further details about the congress.

Accommodation

There is a good selection of accommodation including two city centre hotels and budget priced rooms at the University of Worcester.