Isle of Wight Chess Blitz Tournament: FIDE & ECF rated

Join us at the Ocean View Hotel in Shanklin for a relaxed but competitive afternoon of blitz chess.

The tournament will be played over 9 rounds at a time control of 7 minutes + 3 seconds increment per move.

Entry is completely free.

Please note: The UK Open Blitz challenge takes place on the same day in Southampton. Serious players might want to consider this instead.

Tournament Details

Venue: Ocean View Hotel, Shanklin, Isle of Wight

Format: 9-round Swiss tournament

Time Control: 7+3 Blitz

Start Time: 11:00am

Lunch Break: 1:00pm–2:00pm

Final Round: 4:00pm

Expected Finish: Around 4:30pm

The event is open to players of all strengths, from regular tournament players to local club players looking for a fun day of competitive chess.

Pairings and results will be managed throughout the day, with rounds scheduled every 30 minutes.

There is no entry fee, but advance registration is recommended so we know how many players to expect. I'll set up as many boards as we need so please register in advance to avoid disappointment on the day.

Come along, enjoy some fast-paced chess and spend the day playing in the seaside surroundings of Shanklin.

Staying over?

The Ocean View Hotel are happy to extend their November Tournament room rates for any visitors wishing to stay or make a weekend of it.

Venue and Accommodation​

The Ocean View Hotel is a welcoming 3-star, ocean-facing hotel located directly above the beach, close to cafés, bars, restaurants and Shanklin’s thatched village. The playing hall is a large ballroom with sea views, connected to a spacious adjoining room with seating and a bar.

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​Room rates including breakfast:

£65 per night single occupancy

£90 per night for two people sharing

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Room types include single, double, twin and family rooms.

Sea-view and premium upgrades may also be available.

Dinner can be added to your booking.

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To book accommodation, call 01983 861 111

or email info@oceanviewhoteliow.co.uk and quote your tournament entry ticket booking number (you get a confirmation email after registering). 

Website: www.oceanviewhoteliow.co.uk

Travel

We strongly recommend travelling by train and ferry, which is usually cheaper and easier than bringing a car.

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All visiting players will receive a 20% Wightlink Ferry Discount code if needed. ​Please note that you can book your Wightlink FastCat ferry travel as part of your train ticket, meaning your Railcard discount can also apply to the journey. This is usually around a 3rd off. Add Shanklin as final destination on your train journey.

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Recommended route:

Train to Portsmouth Harbour

Wightlink FastCat ferry to Ryde, around 22 minutes

Get the train to Shanklin directly as you get off the boat

(Check times, usually as boat arrives). 

Or bus from Ryde Esplanade (end of pier) to Shanklin, £3

Walk from Shanklin station to the hotel, around 10 minutes

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Or

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Or take the RedJet Ferry from Southapton to Cowes, 28 mins

Bus from Cowes to Shanklin ~£3, ask for through to Shanklin - 1 hour.

Tournament Regulations

1. The tournament will be played over 9 rounds using the Swiss system.

2. The time control is 7 minutes + 3 seconds increment per move.

3. The event will be played under the FIDE Laws of Chess.

4. The tournament is open to players of all strengths and entry is free.

5. For tournament seeding and rating purposes, players will be listed using their FIDE Blitz rating where available, followed by their ECF Blitz rating where no FIDE Blitz rating is held. If non of these are available the next available ECF or FIDE rating shall be used.

6. Players should be ready to play at the published round start times.

7. A player who completes a first illegal move will receive the standard FIDE blitz penalty, with one minute added to their opponent’s clock. A second completed illegal move by the same player will result in loss of the game, subject to the FIDE Laws of Chess.

8. Players must stop the clocks and call the arbiter if they wish to make a claim or if there is a dispute.

9. Mobile phones and other electronic devices must not be used during play.

10. Results should be reported to the tournament organiser immediately after each game.

11. The organiser reserves the right to make reasonable changes to pairings, timings or tournament arrangements where necessary.

12. The decision of the tournament arbiter or organiser on matters relating to the running of the event will be final.advance.