This will be held at The Hilton Leicester Hotel, Leicester.  The AGM will take place at 20.15 on Saturday evening, 15th March.  We shall also aim to enable members to join in via an online platform if they prefer.

This is our second year with the hotel after positive reviews from all last year.  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 rating or estimated rating is 1450 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 £12.  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.

Any enquiries about the Hotel or the tournament should be sent to John Osborne and Phil Rafferty (organiser.agm@braillechess.org.uk).

To enter, please either send your accommodation requirements to John or Phil, with a copy to our Treasurer Tristram Cole, or complete this form.  The closing date for entries is Friday 31st January 2025.

The cost of dinner, bed and breakfast for members and associate members is £70 per person per night in a single room and £60 per person per night in a double or twin room.  This is also the cost for those wishing to stay Sunday night.  For example, 3 nights in a single room is 3 times £70 and if playing chess, add the £12 entry fee, making £222.  Please send full payment for your entry fee and accommodation to Tristram 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.  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.