Author: BCC

Organised by the Thailand Chess Association, sponsored by Chang Water, the 14th ASEAN Age-Group Chess Championships takes place in the beautiful city of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, from 5–14 June, 2013 at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel.
There are tournaments in Standard, Rapid and Blitz chess, all eligible for FIDE ratings. In addition, titles will be awarded as in the Olympiads, with IM and WIM titles possible in the under 20’s group. More information and registration details at the AACC website

Assumption Association Open Chess Championships 2013

Assumption Association, Rama IV Road, Phra Khanong, Bangkok

4th – 5th May 2013

Tournament Regulations

1. This is a 6-Round Swiss System FIDE rated tournament open to players of 19+ for the Open group and players according to specified age-groups. For any player to join the Open Category, he/she must be over 18 years old, with the exception of some wildcards. Likewise, players to join in each age-group must have reached the age as per such categories. Age is calculated by deducting the year of birth from 2013.

No entry fee shall be collected.

2. Age Groups:

1. 1. 19+ (Open) [FIDE Rated].
2. Boys: 8-12 years old.
3. Boys: 14-18 years old.
4. Girls: 8-12 years old.
5.  Girls: 14-18 years old.
6. Senior/Parents: Parents or 50+ years old.

However, if there are not enough players in any age-group, then such age-group will be combined to nearest age-group accordingly.

3. Each player is accorded with a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move.

4. Walkover time is 1 hour after the start of each round.

5. Results will be sent to FIDE for rating calculations for the Open group only.

6. Players must record the moves and hand over the score sheets to the Arbiters at the end of each round. In the case of draw, players with white shall hand deliver the score sheets to the arbiter’s desk.

7. No electronics equipment of any kind is allowed to be brought into the playing area. Players however may deposit their mobile phones/electronics equipment with the Arbiters at their own risks

8. Any player who misses any round of play will not be paired in the following rounds, and may be considered to have withdrawn from the tournament, unless he/she notifies the Chief Arbiter at least 1 hour before the start of the next round (s).

9. FIDE (World Chess Federation) rules and regulations shall apply.

10. In case of dispute, the Chief Arbiter’s decision is final.

11. The Organizer reserves the right to adjust the prize money and other prizes as well as other tournament regulations according to the circumstances and suitability.

Date and Venue

The tournament starts on 4th May 2013 at 8.30 hours onwards and ends on 6th May 2013 at around 20.00 hours. The venue is at Assumption Association, Rama IV Road, Phra Khanong, Bangkok. Map of the Association is herewith attached.

Tournament Programme

Saturday 4th May 2013 : 08.30 a.m. – 09.00 a.m. Registration – Opening Ceremony.

• Saturday 4th May 2013 : 09.30 a.m. Round 1.
• Saturday 4th May 2013 : 03.30 p.m. Round 2.
• Sunday 5th May 2013 : 09.00 a.m. Round 3.
• Sunday 5th May 2013 : 03.00 p.m. Round 4.
• Monday 6th May 2013 : 09.30 a.m. Round 5.
• Monday 6th May 2013 : 03.30 p.m. Round 6. (Final Round).
• Monday 6th May 2013 : 07.00 p.m. Closing Ceremony.

Prizes

For Open Category:

• Winner Cash Prize Baht 3,500.00 plus trophy, medal, and certificate.
• 1st Runner Up Cash Prize Baht 3,000.00 plus medal and certificate.
• 2nd Runner Up Cash Prize Baht 2,500.00 plus medal and certificate.

For Each Age-Group Category:

• Winner Trophy, plus medal and certificate.
• 1st Runner Up Medal and certificate.

Arbiters

Chief Arbiter IA Panupand Vijjuprabha, Deputy Chief Arbiters FA Opas Woralaksiri, NA Sant Pongkiatisak.

Registration

Kindly send the application form to the Chief Arbiter and Organizer, IA Panupand Vijjuprabha, via email: bbso@truemail.co.th by 4th May 2013, or via fax at 02 235-7321. Alternatively, application form can also be faxed to Assumption Association at 02 390 -5417.

Enquiries can be made by phone at 085 998 4999, or 02 390 1062-3 (Assumption Association).

In a multinational field of over 300 players, Australian number one, GM Zhao Zong-Yuan has won the Thailand Open 2013 ahead of big name favorites. GM Zhao had a rating performance just under 2700 overall including a dramatic win over GM Nigel Short in the eighth round. He finished with 7.5 points from nine rounds.

Following Zhao Zong-Yuan were six players on seven points. On tiebreaks, IM Wan Yunguo took 2nd place and a GM norm. GM Jan Gustafsson, who admitted that “he’s just on holiday” when asked about the tournament, finishes in 3rd place.

The top seed GM Nigel Short, a familiar and welcome presence at the Thailand Open, played fighting chess throughout the tournament making a decisive result in all but one game. He struggled at times pushing too hard for wins. The world’s 3rd highest rated female player GM Humpy Koneru had a solid tournament, not losing any games.

Top prize for best Thai player went to FM Jirapak Pitirotjirathon, who performed well above his rating. He has long been dedicated to improving the quality of chess in Thailand and sets a fine example for Thai juniors aspiring to titles.

Congratulations also to IM Roy Saptarshi of India for achieving his second GM norm with a win over NIgel Short. Receiving IM norms were Ma Zhonghan of China, Hamed Nouri of Philippines and Sardana Rishi of India, currently rated only 2232.

Join us next year for the Thailand Open to be held in Bangkok, Thailand.

Grandmaster Humpy Koneru from India, the 3rd highest rated lady player in the world, is joining the 13th Bangkok Chess Club Open Tournament this April at the Dusit Thani Pattaya in Thailand. With 19 Grandmasters registered and over 300 competitors from 40 countries, this will be the most exciting BCC Open tournament yet.

The latest list of competitors at the Open and Challenger tournaments has been published:

• See who is playing: Open | Challenger
• More details of the tournament: tournament regulations
• If you would like to join: registration form
• Reserve your room at the 5-star Dusit Thani Hotel by email to Khun Kittiporn