Hastings 2024-25

[Alex McFarlane]

I will check these tomorrow but (very) provisionally
Xue plays tomorrow for IM norm and draws for GM norm
Vestdy-Ellingsen win for GM norm

Grutter and Gordon wins for IM norm.

[Ian Jamieson]

I will check these tomorrow but (very) provisionally
Xue plays tomorrow for IM norm and draws for GM norm
Vestdy-Ellingsen win for GM norm

Grutter and Gordon wins for IM norm.

According to the FIDE website Xue already has two IM norms from July (Benasque and Biel) and already has the rating so if this is right he just needs to play tomorrow for his IM title, unless there is some other requirement I am overlooking.

[LawrenceCooper]

Board 1 has been drawn so Xue has both an IM and GM norm.

[Alex McFarlane]

I agree with my previous calculations and with Loz.

[LawrenceCooper]

I agree with my previous calculations and with Loz.

I trust the former more than the latter

[LawrenceCooper]

I will check these tomorrow but (very) provisionally
Xue plays tomorrow for IM norm and draws for GM norm
Vestdy-Ellingsen win for GM norm

Grutter and Gordon wins for IM norm.

Xue was successful, but the others missed out. I think the two IM norm seekers have all their norms though and only need the rating.

[Ian Jamieson]

I will check these tomorrow but (very) provisionally
Xue plays tomorrow for IM norm and draws for GM norm
Vestdy-Ellingsen win for GM norm

Grutter and Gordon wins for IM norm.

Xue was successful, but the others missed out. I think the two IM norm seekers have all their norms though and only need the rating.

Looking at the FIDE website it appears Grutter does not have any norms but may, subject to rounding, have gained enough points from the tournament to hit 2400 - His January rating is 2380 and he gained 19.6 points. Gordon appears to have two norms so presumably needs a third norm as well as the rating.

[LawrenceCooper]

I will check these tomorrow but (very) provisionally
Xue plays tomorrow for IM norm and draws for GM norm
Vestdy-Ellingsen win for GM norm

Grutter and Gordon wins for IM norm.

Xue was successful, but the others missed out. I think the two IM norm seekers have all their norms though and only need the rating.

Looking at the FIDE website it appears Grutter does not have any norms but may, subject to rounding, have gained enough points from the tournament to hit 2400 - His January rating is 2380 and he gained 19.6 points. Gordon appears to have two norms so presumably needs a third norm as well as the rating.

There may be additional norms not showing, for example the tournament winner has allegedly made his third GM norm despite none showing.

[Alex McFarlane]

The following is a first draft of a statement from the congress.

Caplin Hastings Chess Congress thanks all competitors for helping to stage a great event over the New Year period. There were participants from all around the world who expressed their appreciation of the smooth running of the event. It was great to see so many happy faces and to receive so much praise for the efforts of everyone involved in the organisation.
Among the expressions of appreciation are the following:

“Thank you for a great tournament. We have enjoyed ourselves very much.”
President Norwegian Chess Federation
“Brilliant tournament overall, great organisation and very friendly and inspiring atmosphere”
Anon
“Thank you for a brilliant and perfectly curated tournament. Hugely enjoyable.” - DR
“Very enjoyable” - GW
“A great mix of chess and socials with fabulous organisation.” - HH

The organising committee welcomes the positive comments that have been received and looks forward to planning for the 2025-26 event.

[Ian Thompson]

The organising committee ... looks forward to planning for the 2025-26 event.

The obvious question is over how many days will the Masters be held next year?

I note that 28 December 2025 is a Sunday, so:

• One round a day would finish on Monday, 5 January 2026
• To finish on Friday, 2 January 2026 would require the event to be played over 6 days, meaning 3 double round days

[Kevin Thurlow]

"I note that 28 December 2025 is a Sunday, so:
One round a day would finish on Monday, 5 January 2026
To finish on Friday, 2 January 2026 would require the event to be played over 6 days, meaning 3 double round days"

How does that compare with the "Rilton Cup" etc.?

[LawrenceCooper]

"I note that 28 December 2025 is a Sunday, so:
One round a day would finish on Monday, 5 January 2026
To finish on Friday, 2 January 2026 would require the event to be played over 6 days, meaning 3 double round days"

How does that compare with the "Rilton Cup" etc.?

The Rilton Cup is a game a day with a rest day in the middle.

[NickFaulks]

The Rilton Cup is a game a day with a rest day in the middle.

So what traditionalists such as myself call a proper tournament.

[LawrenceCooper]

The Rilton Cup is a game a day with a rest day in the middle.

So what traditionalists such as myself call a proper tournament.

You'll also be delighted to know that it has designated streamer boards

[Ian Thompson]

How does that compare with the "Rilton Cup" etc.?

As far as I'm aware there are now only two 1 game a day, 9 rounds, tournaments in Europe over the Christmas/New Year period:

• Rilton Cup - 27 December - 5 January with a rest day on 1 January
• Groningen - 21 - 30 December with a rest day on 25 December

There's also Cracovia - 27 December - 4 January, with a double round day on 30 December and a rest day on 1 January. It's definitely a tournament for early risers with one round starting at 8:30 am and two at 9:00 am. The remaining rounds start at 4:00 pm.