12th Monarch Assurance Isle of Man International, 27 Sept - 5 Oct 2003

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Last updated: Monday, September 29, 2003 12:09 PM

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The Monarch Assurance PLC 12th International Chess Tournament is taking place at the Ocean Castle Hotel, Port Erin, Isle of Man, from Saturday 27 September to Sunday 5 October 2003. It is a 9-round swiss tournament and is FIDE-rated. There will be £16,500 in total prize money.

Tony Bridson reports: This year's Monarch Assurance International Tournament in the beautiful Isle of Man, promises to be stronger and richer even than last year.

Patrick Taylor, Chairman of Monarch Assurance plc; has already increased his sponsorship of the prize-fund from £12,000 to £16,500 which, when allied to the considerable input of the island's Department of Tourism, makes for a formidable impact on chess within the British Isles, if not the world.

The tournament is to be opened by His Excellency Air Marshal Ian Macfadyen CB, OBE, the island's Lieutenant Governor, and Mrs. Macfadyen, and prizes will be presented by the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, the Hon. Richard Corkill MHK, together with the Island's Director of Tourism, Mr. Geoff Le Page. Such a 'glittering platform party' reflects the importance which the Isle of Man places on this international tournament.

The 'Monarch' is founded on three competitions; namely the 'Open'; 'Major' and 'Minor' and in response to the club and lower rated players requests, the 'Minor' has been strengthened by its extension from five to seven rounds, as has the now considerable prize-fund.

In view of the quantity of requests from titled players and in an effort to spread his budget to accommodate even more competitors and to broaden the geographic scope of the Monarch, Dennis has decided to limit 'appearance money' and to spend any 'savings' from this on providing free travel from UK; transfers - being collected from the IOM airport and taken to the chosen hotel, together with return transfers and ten nights dinner, bed and breakfast, en-suite accommodation, for additional players.

Furthermore, Mann on the Ground - the travel organisers - are offering a service to try to obtain 'through' tickets for non-British Isles based competitors. The aim is to save money for competitors on the portion of their journey between their departure airport and the UK.

Dennis is requesting that, due to demand for places, Patrick Taylor's and the IOM Tourist Board's commitment to the tournament and to chess, in general, be reciprocated by invited players. This simply means that when a player is invited, he or she give a 'yes' or 'no' within two weeks of that invitation - 'maybe' won't do!

Finally, for the Major and Minor tournaments, the prize fund has increased, substantially, together with additional £150 and £100 'special' prizes being awarded in the respective competitions. Demand for places is expected to use most of the available local hotel, guest-house, pub and self-catering accommodation. Players, however, needn't pay more than necessary; Mann on the Ground's travel handling has proven to be very cost effective in the past. Call them now with your enquiry - there's even an 'easy payment' scheme.

Remember the Monarch is considered the 'strongest' and 'richest' tournament in the British Isles outside of the British Chess Championship. Contact and Entry details.

Patrick Taylor, Managing Director of Monarch Assurance plc, has generously increased his sponsorship of the Monarch International Tournament, in the Isle of Man. Arguably the strongest and 'richest' competition in the British Isles, the 'Monarch' goes from strength to strength.

Details of the new prize fund are as follows:- The overall prize money is increased from £12,000 to £16,500 with an additional £250 of prizes being offered by the travel and accommodation organisers 'Mann on the Ground'.

In the OPEN competition the first prize will rise to £2,500 and there are a further nine prizes ranging from £1,500 to £200. There will be five grading prizes which are increased from £150 to £200 each plus a prize of £150 for the best score by a non-rated player.

In the MAJOR, the prize fund is further increased with the first prize rising from £500 to £600 with £500 and £400 for the second and third placed players, respectively. There are five grading prizes of £200 each and a further four prizes also of £200. A further prize of £150 will be awarded by 'Mann on the Ground'.

Again in the MINOR the prize fund increases and the first prize rises from £300 to £400 with second and third receiving £300 and £250 respectively. There will be five grading prizes again, this time rising to £150 each with four further Vets, Junior, Lady and Manx prizes of £150. A further prize of £100 will be awarded by 'Mann on the Ground.'

Finally the 'Team' prize rises from £150 to £200!

Dennis Hemsley, Tournament Director, said that he was delighted with Monarch Assurance's commitment to the tournament and thus the players and, when combined with the additional substantial sponsorship provided by the Island's Department of Tourism, augurs only well for the future of the game in the Isle of Man.

There is also be a 7-round Major Tournament from Monday 29 September to Sunday 5 October, and a 7-round Minor Tournament from Monday 29 September to Sunday 5 October. The venue for these events is the Erin Arts Centre, which is about 200 yards away from the Ocean Castle Hotel.

Open: Prizes - 1st £2,500 and nine more prizes from £1,500 to £200. Five rating prizes - £200 each, plus £200 best score by non-rated player, £200 each for best veteran, lady, junior and Manx. Entry Fee £20, Ladies & Juniors £10. (BCF Direct Members deduct £2). Free entry for titled players and those rated 2300 or over. FIDE-rated 9-round swiss open. Rate of Play: 40 moves in 2 hours, then 20 moves in 1 hour, then remaining moves in 30 minutes. The venue this year will be the superb ballroom of the Ocean Castle Hotel.

Major (for players graded 175 BCF, 2000 elo, and below): 1st £600, 2nd £500, 3rd £400, plus five grading prizes of £150 each. £200 each for best veteran, lady, junior and Manx. New in 2003 is a £150 best game prize given by 'Mann on the Ground'. Entry Fee £15, Ladies & Juniors £7. (BCF Direct Members deduct £2). Club teams of three - no entry fee - save up to £45. Team prize for the best aggregate score. Rate of Play: 40 moves in 2 hours, then all the moves in 1 hour (note - this has changed from 2002).

Minor (for players graded 120 BCF, 1560 elo, and below): 1st £400, 2nd £300, 3rd £250, plus five grading prizes of £150 each. £150 each for best veteran, lady, junior and Manx player. New in 2003 is a £100 best game prize given by 'Mann on the Ground'. Entry Fee £9, Ladies & Juniors £5. (BCF Direct Members deduct £1). Club teams of three - no entry fee - save up to £27. Team prize for the best aggregate score £200. Rate of Play: 40 moves in 2 hours, then all the moves in 1 hour (note - this has changed from 2002).

Part of the BCF Grand Prix. Game fee registered. Smith & Williamson British Championship qualifier.

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