The English Chess Federation is pleased to announce that it will hold the 1st English Senior Chess Championships in Ashbourne, Derbyshire in 2008.
The FIDE - rated five round championship scheduled over five days from Monday 28th Jan - Friday 1st Feb will have a format of 40 moves in 2 hrs; all remaining moves in 1 hr. It is restricted to players over 60 years on 1/09/2007.
The winner will be officially crowned as the English Senior Chess Champion and will take home both the trophy and a first prize of over £1,000.
There will also be a subsidiary event for over 50s on 1/09/2007 - for players graded under 140.
Both tournaments will take place at The Izaak Walton Hotel, a 17th Century country house hotel which offers comfort, history and views of outstanding beauty across the Derbyshire Peaks. The Izaak Walton Hotel takes its name from the author of "The Compleat Angler" and is privately owned.
Izaak Walton spokesman Thomas Day said "The hotel has an atmosphere of peace and tranquility and we envisage a fantastic inaugural ECF Senior Championship here in the Derbyshire Peaks. The hotel would like to thank the ECF board and organisers for their help in making this event possible."
Bed & Breakfast accommodation at the hotel will be available at the special rate of £40 per room per night for single occupancy and £30 per person per night for twin occupancy.
ECF Chief Executive Martin Regan said the tournament was a welcome addition to the English chess landscape and showed how the Federation was aware that its role is to promote chess playing across all age groups.
"I am also delighted we have secured such a fine venue. It promises to be a top class event in fantastic surroundings."
