21st BCC Open 2024 – Regulations

Tournament Regulations

  1. This is an individual tournament, open to all players with FIDE ID number. If you do not have FIDE ID, please contact your country’s Rating Officer.
  2. There are two groups of play. When registering, players must indicate in which group they wish to play:
    – Open for players with a FIDE rating 1800 or above*
    – Challenger for players rated below 2000 or unrated
    Ratings from April 2024 FIDE rating list (national ratings may apply if validated by the organizer).
    *Players under 1800 may participate in the Open group on payment of a higher entry fee. Unrated players are only eligible for Challenger.
  3. FIDE (International Chess Federation) Law of Chess, rules and regulations shall apply. Results will be sent for FIDE rating calculations and are eligible for FIDE title norms.
  4. Both groups will be played using a nine-round Swiss System. For the pairings, a Swiss Manager program will be used.
  5. The matches shall be conducted according to the schedule, which will be made known to the respective players before the start of the tournament.
  6. Each player is accorded with a time control of 90 minutes for 40 moves + 30min for the rest of the game. There is a 30-second increment per move, starting from the move one.
  7. Five minutes before the games start, the Chief Arbiter shall make the announcement accordingly. If any player is not present within an hour after the game is started, he shall lose by default.
  8. Players are not allowed to bring mobile phones or other electronic devices to the tournament hall. Any violation shall result in loss of game. Organizer will provide a deposit point outside the playing hall where, for a small fee, players can leave their electronic devices (at their own risk).
  9. Officials and players should be smartly attired at all times while in the playing hall.
  10. Tournament will follow all appropriate Thai health regulations concerning the wearing of face masks, social distancing, testing for infection or other regulations, valid at the tournament start. This will be announced before the tournament start.
  11. Players may elect to take a bye for one round, with a half point awarded (during rounds 2–7 only). The offical form must be completed before the end of the previous round.
  12. Any player unable to attend any round must inform the Arbiters’ desk in writing before the end of the previous round. Failure to do so may result in not being paired for subsequent rounds.

21st BCC Open is financially supported by FIDE Open Aid Project

Prizes

The total Prize Fund for the tournament is 580,000 baht.

  • Open Group: 1st prize 100,000 baht, with additional prizes for 2-10 ranks, 5 best players from the Thailand Chess Association;
  • Prizes for Best Ladies will be 10% of Prize Fund;
  • Prizes for Best Seniors will be 5% of Prize Fund;
  • Challenger: 1st prize (TBA), with additional prizes for 2-5 ranks;
  • Certificates for 3 Best Juniors in both categories.

Please note: under Thai law, 5% tax is deducted from prize money. All prizes are in Thai baht.

Tournament Schedule

* Entry fee for the Open Blitz Tournament is 300 baht (GMs free). Maximum 112 players.
Prize fund = total entry fees for Open Blitz Tournament: 1st Prize 50%, 2nd 30% and 3rd 20%

Arbiters

  • Chief Arbiter: IA Maung Maung Lwin;
  • In the event of dispute, the Chief Arbiter’s decision is final.

Venue

  • The tournament will be held at the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa.
  • Address: 1573 Phet Kasem Rd, Cha-am, Hua Hin District, Phetchaburi 76120, Thailand
  • Tel.: +66 32 708 000
  • Hotel web site
  • Hotel reservations.

Accommodation

Players are required to budget for their own board and lodgings, as well as transportation needs. Special room rates have been negotiated at the Sheraton Hua Hin:

  • Guest Room only, Single/Twin: 2,999 baht per night
  • Guest Room & Breakfast, Single/Twin: 3,400 baht per night
  • inclusive of service charge, VAT and complimentary in-room internet. Rates are nett/room/night
  • Important: these room rates are valid for booking by 30 March, and are subject to availability.

Click here for reservations at the Sheraton Hua Hin.

Entry Fees

All tournament fees must be paid before the start of the first round. Early Bird registration is available until March 15. Entry fees are non-refundable after March 15, 2024.

  • Challenger (under 2000 ELO and unrated):
    Early Bird registration 3,000 baht (late registration 4,000 baht);
  • Open (1800 and above ELO): Early Bird registration 4,000 baht (late registration 5,000 baht);
  • Open (under 1800 ELO): Early Bird registration 6,000 baht (late registration 7,000 baht);
  • TCA members: 1,000 baht discount.

Entry fees may be paid online here

Registration

Please complete the tournament registration form
A list of registered players will be published and regularly updated at our website. Please check that your name has been included within 2 weeks of your registration.
The deadline for early bird registration is March 15, 2024. After this date the normal registration charge will apply, and registrations may be declined.

Conditions for Titled Players

Tournament fees are waived for Grandmasters, WGMs, IMs, WIMs and 2500+ rated players (according to the official FIDE April 2024 rating list).
15 Grandmasters will be given complimentary accommodation (room & breakfast in twin sharing with another GM for 9 nights). Complimentary room reservation is confirmed after organizer has received:

  • online registration form;
  • deposit transfer of 3,000 baht (~80 Euros. Deposits will be fully returned after check-in). Payment can be made here;
  • Please email the organizer for further inquiries.

Other information

  • Tournament results and pairings will be updated daily at chess-results.com
  • Approximate exchange rate: US $1 = 36 baht; €1 = 39 baht; £1 = 45 baht (rates vary, up-to-date exchange rates at www.superrich1965.com)