This event is dedicated to the memory of Peter Gibbs, a highly respected Honorary Life Member of the BCA, who sadly passed away in July.  The image above shows Peter with some of the trophies he won in BCA Email Tournaments.
The event will be held at The Hilton Leicester Hotel, Leicester, from the 15th to the 17th of March 2024. The AGM will take place at 20.15 on Saturday evening, 16 March. We shall also aim to enable members to join in via an online platform if they prefer.
This is a new hotel for the BCA and we are sure that members will find it very satisfactory. The hotel has a fitness centre and swimming pool. It is located about 4 or 5 miles from Leicester Railway Station and close to junction 21 of the M1 for anyone travelling by car. There is a lot of green space around the hotel which should make it very suitable for guide dog owners. It is also within easy walking distance of Fosse Park Shopping Centre.
We are hoping there will be enough entries to hold two five round Swiss tournaments – an Open and a Challengers for those whose grade or estimated grade is 1300 or below. Both are open to blind and partially sighted players and to associate members of the BCA. The entry fee for each tournament is £10.  Please state when booking which tournament you would like to enter – subject to eligibility.
Rooms will be available on the Friday afternoon from 15.00 with dinner that evening at 18.00. Likely start times for the five games are 20.00 on the Friday evening, 09.45 and 14.00 on the Saturday and 09.45 and 14.00 on the Sunday, but these times might need to be changed depending on discussions with the hotel. The rate of play is likely to be 90 minutes for each player for all moves. Any player can request a half point bye in any one of the first four rounds or a delay in the start of their game in round 1 of 30 minutes.
If you’re not a BCA member please contact us via our website for more information including how to enter.  Any enquiries about the Hotel or the tournament should be sent to organiser John Osborne or Phil Rafferty.  To enter, please send your accommodation requirements to John or Phil, with a copy to our Treasurer Gill Smith. The closing date for entries is Friday 2 February 2024.
The cost of dinner, bed and breakfast for members and associate members is £65 per person per night in a single room and £55 per person per night in a double or twin room. This is also the cost for members wishing to stay Sunday night.
Please send full payment for your entry fee and accommodation to Gill Smith by the closing date. Please send any resolutions or other items for inclusion on the AGM agenda to Guy Whitehouse by the end of December 2023. Also, let Guy know if you are planning to join the AGM online or attend the AGM without staying at the hotel so that we can let you have the AGM papers.