General news about the BCC and the chess world
A Press Conference was held at the Champagne Bar of the Dusit Thani Bangkok, presenting the BCC Open to the press. Speakers included representatives from organisers, sponsors and chess players; K. Prajuab, President of the Thailand Chess Association; Alex Willats, General Manager of the hotel; Kai Tuorila, Tournament Organiser and others.
You can download a copy of the press release here. For more information and pictures, please contact us through our web form here.
Ladies World Champion Grandmaster Hou Yifan has confirmed her participation in the 12th BCC Open tournament.
This is the first time for a reigning World Champion to play chess in Thailand, and is sure to create quite a stir here, and will be an inspiration for all juniors (GM Yifan is still only 17 years old) as well as lady players. Yifan has had an amazing run in the last year – as Leonard Barden wrote in the Guardian: “Hou Yifan’s astonishing result at Tradewise Gibraltar last week marks a highly significant break-through for women’s chess. China’s 17-year-old beat four elite grandmasters, outplayed the great tactician Alexei Shirov at his own game, and performed far above expectations.”
There is no doubt that Hou is getting stronger, and she must surely be the favourite for the 12th BCC Open despite the participation of GM Nigel Short who defeated her in the playoff. It is excellent news for the BCC Open that GM Nigel Short and GM Hou Yifan, joint winners of the strongest open tournament in history (Gibraltar), are confirmed for the tournament!
A new tournament from Jirapak Chess Academy takes place on successive sundays at the academy in February and March. It should be the perfect way to warm up for the BCC Open in April. The format is 7 rounds swiss with a standard time control of 90 minutes plus 30s/move.
Chief Arbiter: IA Panupand Vijjuprabha
Location: Jirapak Chess Academy
Entry Fee for rated players: ฿1,250 / ฿1,000 (register before 19 February)
Entry Fee for unrated players: ฿1,500 / ฿1,250 (register before 19 February)
Prizes: 1st ฿3,000 / 2nd ฿2,000 / 3rd ฿1,000 plus trophies
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You all know Kasparov’s joke?
So I came upon my pal David the other day. He was playing chess with a dog. I commented on what a smart dog that must be. David said “He’s not so smart. I’m winning 3 games to 1…”
It’s more of a practice tournament really. Hundreds of blitz games is not ideal for a big international chess tournament!
This is an individual tournament and open to all players, and FIDE (International Chess Federation) rules and regulations shall apply.
Program: 23.12.11 – 21.02.12 A- and B-Finals
Players will be divided evenly to A and B finals according their ratings, with max. 10 players in each group. The winner of 2011 B-final will qualify directly to A-Final in 2012.
Time Control, Schedule, t/b: Each player is accorded with a time of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. At least 1 round per week must be played in Arbiter controlled environment. Two signed score sheets must be returned to the Organizer. T/b will be used as follows: 1. Game between the players, 2. Sonneborn-Berger.
Venue: Games can be played on Tuesdays at Roadhouse Bbq Restaurant or Fridays at Queen Victoria Pub & Restaurant, or during agreed Sundays at SIU Vibhavadi-Rangsit Campus Library.
Entrance Fee: The tournament fee for each player is Baht 500. Tournament fee can not be returned.
Prizes: Half of all entry fees will be included for the prize fund. The Winner of the final will get 50% of prize fund, 30% for the 2nd and 20% for the 3rd.
Ratings: All results will be sent for FIDE rating calculations, if at least 3 Fide rated players/group will participate. All games will be included for Thailand national chess ratings (telo).
Registrations: Registrations can be done during BCC club evenings. Registration is only complete after paying the entry fee, and submitting full name, birthday, email address and contact phone numbers to the organizer.
Organization: Chief Arbiter is IA Panupand Vijjuprabha and Assistant Arbiters K.Poompat Sivara and K.Bruce Bell. Tournament Director is Kai Tuorila.
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The 12th Bangkok Chess Club Open 2012 has attracted the attention of some of the best players in the world, including defending champion GM Gustafsson, joint winner GM Nigel Short, and 3-time former champion GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. of the Philippines. Join them at the glorious Dusit Thani Bangkok for a week of high quality chess and world class fun!
For a full list of participants click here…