English Chess Forum

This is scheduled for 25th to 27th February 2022 at its usual venue, the Hall Cross School in Doncaster.

In past years It's been one of the larger Congresses, but they have imposed an entry limit of 180. Four sections in total, Open, Under 2000, 1800 and 1600.
https://mannchess.org.uk/doncong.htm

They had 150 entrants in 2020 and 171 in 2019, so their capacity limits may not be tested.

Just to confirm for people the 2022 Doncaster Chess Congress is still going ahead at it's usual venue.

A list of entries is now available on Steve Mann's website along with an entry form and a whole range of other useful materials.
https://mannchess.org.uk/doncong.htm

Any chance to get it Fide rated too?

We've looked into this in the past but we don't have the resources to support a FIDE rated tournament (eg computers, printers). Not to mention additional costs would be incurred in having a a FIDE rated arbiter present (eg fees, transport, accommodation) which would have to be passed on to the players in all sections. The tournament is not run as a profit-making exercise and the refreshment stall can easily be what makes the difference between profit and loss.

There would also be the requirement that all players would have to be ECF gold members (a lot are not), even if we only FIDE rated the top sections which again would be extra costs.

We did ask players some years ago but we didn't see evidence of people not playing because it wasn't FIDE rated but a number of players said they wouldn't play if it was. We've always reached capacity in the past with a non-FIDE rated tournament and the people who attend are happy with what's offered.

Peter Ackley wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 21, 2022 10:13 am

(eg computers, printers).

I understand why you have reached to conclusion you have, but what is this point about? I ask only because there are some misconceptions about the requirements for a tournament to be FIDE rated.

Computer pairings. We still use pairing cards. None of us even own a computer or printer capable of being used for this purpose. We're merrily old-fashioned people. That's why there's no online payment to enter!

Peter Ackley wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 21, 2022 10:34 am

Computer pairings. We still use pairing cards.

I still don't see the problem. Pairings become an issue only in norm events.

Far as I was aware there was a requirement for pairing software to be used for FIDE rated tournaments. If not then fair enough. But the software issue is one of the smaller barriers to making any of the sections FIDE rated.

Hi Peter
I have sent two entry forms by email but am not on the list of entries. Could you check your spam folder, or is there another reason?
Tim

Last email received from you 10/2/20. Nothing in Junk or Deleted.
Peter

Peter Ackley wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 21, 2022 11:35 am

Last email received from you 10/2/20. Nothing in Junk or Deleted.
Peter

Without specific comment due to our recent problems with mail relay but hotmail has become very picky on mail delivery I would not recommend it as a service.

Can you resend please? Please double-check the email address. There's a guy in America with a very similar email address and I sometimes get emails meant for him.
Peter

What an idiot - I've been sending to .co.uk instead of .com

Apologies

Okay - so at least it's not gone to Peter Rackley!
Peter

No, but I suspect there is a baffled Peter Ackley somewhere in Britain ...