Chess

Chess will be included again as a sport in the EuroGames in 2004 for the first time after an interval of six years, following the EuroGames 1995 in Frankfurt and 1996 in Berlin and the GayGames 1998 in Amsterdam.

Who can take part?

Anyone who knows the rules of chess and enjoys playing the "royal game" can take part, regardless of whether they are young or old, beginners or experienced players, members of a club or leisure-time players. The tournament is limited to a total of 70 participants. As always, the rule "First come, first served" applies. Women can choose whether or not they wish to play in a tournament of their own. A separate tournament for the blind and sight impaired is being offered.

How will play be organized?

The international rules of the FIDE (World Chess Federation) for rapid chess will apply. A national arbiter will direct the tournament. The tournament will be played as a seven round Swiss competition, with a time limit of 30 minutes per player and game. The program consists of four games on the first day of play, the afternoon of Friday, 30th July, and three games on the second day, the morning of Saturday, 31st July

In what groups will play take place?

Depending on how many people register for chess, there will be up to four groups (this is subject to possible change):

The tournament direction will allocate players to the Groups A and B according to playing strength. A group must contain at least six participants.

What prizes will there be?

EuroGames will award gold, silver and bronze for the first three places in each group. The order of places will be decided by the points obtained. By equal numbers of points the Buchholz system will be used. We will award in addition a "Fair-Play-Trophy", to honour the especially fair and sporting conduct of one player from among all the participants.

Is further information needed?

We will inform participants in good time before the Games in the summer of 2004 by E-Mail about how the tournament will be run. In addition, players who have registered for chess will be given all further information which they will need for the competition when they register locally in the Olympic Park. Before the start of the first round there will be an introductory event.

IMPORTANT! During this event the arbiter will make known further details about the organization of the tournament. These details are absolutely necessary for the smooth running of the tournament. Therefore participation in this event is obligatory.

What else is important?

On the afternoon of Saturday, 31st July a Blitz tournament will take place. We will play 13 rounds of five minute games. Because this tournament is limited to 30 players, participants must sign up specifically in advance. Anyone who registers for one of the tournaments A to D can also sign up for the Blitz tournament at the same time. There are no additional costs for this. The starting places for the Blitz tournament will be allocated in the order the registrations are received.

The EuroGames will not forward the chess results of the 2004 games to the FIDE for the purposes of evaluating the ratings.

There is a strict ban on smoking in the tournament room – this applies to the players and to the spectators as well!

Contact

e-mail: chess@eurogames.info