Everyone from newcomers to experts are welcome to play in the Forest Hall Summer Rapidplay, held on Saturday 31st July from 11am to 6pm.
The event will be the first over-the-board chess congress in the North East since the start of the pandemic in spring 2020.
The Rapidplay will be held in one of the biggest chess venues in the North East – the downstairs concert room at Forest Hall Social Club, on Great Lime Road, Palmersville – which has a total area of 300 square metres. The room has more than 60 tables, and will be well-ventilated.
With an entry expected of about 50-60 players, that means there will be plenty of room for each board, reducing the risks for anyone not yet fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus.
Covid Safety Precautions
We will of course be carefully monitoring the new government regulations on Covid-19 safety, due to be published on July 19.
Whatever is required under the law, we will follow strictly.
In addition to what the regulations require, we are happy to provide visors or face coverings to any player who does not have one, and hand sanitising gel will be available throughout the venue. Players are asked to clean their board, set and digital clock with anti-bacterial spray (which will be provided) when they reset the pieces after each game as a matter of good etiquette.
As a safety precaution, we are currently recommending that players wear a visor or face covering during games. This is important as a way to protect each other as the number of cases of the new, Delta variant of Covid continues to rise – particularly among unvaccinated young people under the age of 25.
Although this is our recommendation, unless government regulations require it, wearing a visor or face covering will not be mandatory. All we are asking players to do is to think carefully and put others’ health and safety first.
Please note: wearing a transparent visor is fully acceptable, and is preferred by some people for whom wearing a mask or face covering can be slightly uncomfortable.
How To Enter
To enter the Forest Hall Summer Rapidplay, simply download the entry form here:
Forest Hall Summer Rapidplay 2021 entry form V4 120721 (word document)
Forest Hall Summer Rapidplay 2021 entry form V4 120721 (PDF)
and email the organiser, Tim Wall, with your entry details.
Entry fees can either be paid before the Rapidplay by bank transfer, or on the day in cash.
Please make BACS bank transfers payable to: UK Chess Events Ltd, Sort Code 20-59-43, Account: 2344 1954. (Ref: [Your Name] & RP)
Sections For Everyone
The Rapidplay Congress is aimed equally at experienced chess players and those new to the game (including the many people who have taken up chess online during lockdown).
Championship
A 6-round Swiss tournament. This event is for experienced club, league and county players, and is recommended for anyone with an English Chess Federation rating of 1000 or higher.
It will include prizes in these categories:
OPEN – for players of any rating: 1st £100, 2nd £50, 3rd £25
MAJOR – for players rated 1600-1999: 1st 50, 2nd £25
MINOR – for players rated 1000-1599: 1st £50, 2nd £25
Please note: Players can win only one prize.
Championship Time control: All moves in 20 minutes, plus 10 seconds per move.
Adults New 2 Chess
A 6-round tournament for adults (aged 18+) either without an English Chess Federation rating, or with a rating of under 1000.
Please note: In each round, players will play the same opponent twice – once with White and once with Black.
Adults New 2 Chess time control: All moves in 10 minutes, plus 5 seconds per move.
Prizes will depend on the number of entries.
Kids New 2 Chess
A 6-round tournament for children (under the age of 18) either without an English Chess Federation rating, or with a rating of under 1000.
Please note: In each round, players will play the same opponent twice – once with White and once with Black.
Kids New 2 Chess time control: All moves in 10 minutes, plus 5 seconds per move.
Prizes will depend on the number of entries.