News
Introductory press release
March 7, 2020 12:56 PM
Both tournaments are running in congress halls of the Prague hotel Olympik.
During the opening ceremony, after hearing out the Czech national anthem and the FIDE anthem, all the players were welcome by general manager Jiří Petružálek, tournament director Jan Mazuch, FIDE tournament director Ozgur Solakoglu, FIDE Senior Chess Director Jan Roose and chairman of the Czech Chess Federation Martin Petr.
Smooth running of the tournaments supervise Chief Arbiter IA Ladislav Palovský, his deputies IA Jiřina Prokopová and IA Thomas Strobl and eight further arbiters. Appeals Committee consists of three members, IA Ozgur Solakoglu, FA Marta Motuzová and FA Petr Laušman.
In the category over 50 years, the games on top boards are played in hotel Olympik, while the last 6 tables are to be found in the building of Olympik Tristar. Players in the category over 65 years play their games only in Tristar. The FIDE Tournament Rules are strictly followed. The championship will be played by a 9-rounds Swiss system. It will be played on 4 chessboards with 1 allowed reserve player (teams can consist of 4 or 5 members). The time rate is 2x 1,5 h/40 + 30 min + 30 s / move. Default time for all 9 rounds is 30 minutes.
In the World Senior Team Chess Championship, altogether there are 106 teams from 27 countries, including 9 women teams. In addition to the European chess players, teams from Iceland, Malaysia, South Africa, USA, Costa Rica and Israel participate too. All told, the field comprises 487 chess players of which 184 are titled. There are 36 GMs, 8 WGMs, 50 IMs, 8 WIMs, 61 FMs, 13 WFMs and 8 CMs. The highest rated player entered is GM Graf Alexander from Germany with 2575 FIDE rating.
Organizers have arranged some accompanying activities for the participants for each day. They can choose and enjoy some guided tours along the Royal Route, to Petrin tower and Vysehrad, Prague Zoo and Botanic garden, Prague Castle or National Technical Museum. There will also be a Blitz tournament on Tuesday, March 10th.
Authors: Marta Motuzova, Venuse Souralova
Photos: Vladimir Jagr