Thanet Congress

[Roger de Coverly]

The Thanet League website is announcing the return of the Thanet Congress. In past years that's been in August, often the weekend before the Bank Holiday.
https://www.eastkentchess.org.uk/congress

No confirmation yet of venue and date.

[RobertStarley]

The 2023 Thanet Congress will be taking place on 18-20 August at Sandwich Technology School. Full details and online entry at https://congress.org.uk/congress/215/home

[MJMcCready]

Generally speaking, is it a well run tournament? I am considering it but have never entered it before.

[David Gilbert]

Generally speaking, is it a well run tournament? I am considering it but have never entered it before.

Alan Atkinson is organising this so expect it to be extraordinarily well run. Come and play some chess against a backdrop of the gorgeous East Kent coast. What could be better.

[John Sellen]

It is certainly in a beautiful part of Kent and very close to 3 famous golf courses : Princes, Royal St George and Royal Cinque Ports
I guess accommodation could be an issue as there is very little in Sandwich itself
Probably means staying in Deal or Ramsgate which are both only 5 or 10 minutes away by train

[MJMcCready]

Generally speaking, is it a well run tournament? I am considering it but have never entered it before.

Alan Atkinson is organising this so expect it to be extraordinarily well run. Come and play some chess against a backdrop of the gorgeous East Kent coast. What could be better.

Thanks yes. If I can get freed up from work then I will be there. Looks highly likely.

[MJMcCready]

It is certainly in a beautiful part of Kent and very close to 3 famous golf courses : Princes, Royal St George and Royal Cinque Ports
I guess accommodation could be an issue as there is very little in Sandwich itself
Probably means staying in Deal or Ramsgate which are both only 5 or 10 minutes away by train

Is Thanet actually attached to the mainland?

[John Sellen]

An interesting question
5000 years ago Thanet was separated from the mainland by the Wantsum Channel
This has long been filled with silt and shingle and is now marshland
Thanet is no longer strictly an island
Lots on Google if you are interested

[MJMcCready]

They seem to be saying its a peninsula now.

[David Gilbert]

The Southern Counties Chess Union has awarded the 2023 Thanet Congress the Union’s individual championship for the 2023/24 season. The highest placed eligible player in the Open Section lifts the Glenroy Cup and with it the offer of the Union’s nomination for the 2024 British Championship. Come and play chess.

[Kevin Thurlow]

"Thanet is no longer strictly an island"

That's a shame - I have been collecting islands chess-wise, having arbited at Thanet, Portsmouth, Guernsey and played at Guernsey, Jersey, Lewis, Benbecula, Portsmouth, Wedmore, Iceland... (well, yes, GB is a big island as well.) Amsterdam felt like an island.

[David Gilbert]

One week to go until the Thanet Congress. Details here https://congress.org.uk/congress/215/home. A reminder that this year it doubles for the SCCU championship with the highest placed eligible player from inside the Union (which includes London) winning the Glenroy Cup, the Union’s nomination to the 2024 British Championship and £100 in addition to any prize money. The sun’s bound to be shining so come and take in the salt-sea Sandwich air.