KE: WeCC to Host ’2012 NCL Qualifiers’ Tournament – Jan 14-15

(Information courtesy of Westlands Chess Club)

Westlands Chess Club, one of Nairobi’s newest chess clubs has announced that it will be hosting its first event, the ’2012 NCL Qualifiers’ tournament over the weekend of 14th and 15th January 2012. The objective of this tournament is to select up to 3 teams that will represent WeCC (as the club is better known) in the 2012 edition of the Nairobi Chess League hosted by Nairobi Chess Club.

WeCC members analysing a position at a club meet in 2011

Tournament details follow.

Dates: Saturday, 14^th and Sunday, 15^th January 2012
Times: Saturday, 1 pm to 6 pm; Sunday, 8.30 am to 6 pm (see schedule below)
Venue: Café 64, (opp. Graffins College), Westlands Road

Mode of Play: 7 rounds Swiss system
Time Control: 45 minutes per player to finish the game

Participation Fee (inclusive of lunch on both days):

• Seniors (18 and over) – KES 1,800
• Juniors (under 18) – KES 1,450

Registration Deadline: 9 pm on Friday, 13th January

Prizes:

• 1st Place (overall) – Gold medal + certificate
• 2nd Place (overall) – Silver medal + certificate
• 3rd Place (overall) – Bronze medal + certificate
• Best Lady – Gold medal + certificate
• Best Junior – Gold medal + certificate

Dress Code: Formals or smart casuals (shorts, short skirts, singlets and vests are not allowed)

Schedule:

Saturday, 14^th January

• 1 to 2.20pm: Completion of membership registration formalities and lunch
• 2.30 to 4.00 pm: Round 1
• 4.10 to 5.40 pm: Round 2

Sunday, 15^th January

• 8.30 to 10 am: Round 3
• 10.10 am to 11.40 am: Round 4
• 11.50 am to 1.20 pm: Round 5
• 1.20 to 1.50 pm: Lunch
• 2.00 to 3.30 pm: Round 6
• 3.40 to 5.10 pm: Round 7
• 5.30 to 6.00 pm: Prize giving + forming of teams

Notes:

1. This tournament is open to anyone who wants to become a WeCC member (membership is free till February 2012) so please bring a passport sized photo and a copy of your ID/passport for completion of membership registration formalities to our club meet on Wednesday, 11th January or the tournament venue.
2. The deadline for payment of the tournament participation fee is 9 pm on Friday, 13th January 2012 and the payment can be made:
   1. Via M-PESA on 0705 662 705 (add a withdrawal fee of KES 25 per entry)
   2. In cash during our first club meet of 2012 at Coffee World (Slush), Corner Plaza, Parklands Road on Wednesday, 11th January from 7 to 10 pm.
3. Lunch WILL be provided on both days of the tournament and DOES NOT include beverages. These can be purchased at the venue.
4. THE SCHEDULE PRINTED ABOVE WILL BE ADHERED TO STRICTLY AND NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.
5. Players who show up at the venue dressed in shorts, short skirts, singlets or vests WILL NOT be allowed to participate so please follow the dress code of formals or smart casuals.
6. In case of a tie, the player with a higher Buchholz will be awarded the prize.
7. Based on the number of participants, the top 6, 12 or 18 will represent WeCC at the 2012 Nairobi Chess League (2012 NCL) in 1, 2 or 3 teams to be called WeCC Thoroughbreds, WeCC Mustangs and WeCC Sumbawas respectively.
8. Players representing WeCC at the 2012 NCL will each receive a t-shirt to be worn at league matches. In addition, entry fees for each team will be paid by WeCC.
9. In case of queries, call tournament director Paras Gudka on 0712 881 515.