10th to 12th November 2023

This year’s International Autumn Tournament will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Solihull.  The hotel is located a short taxi ride from Solihull Railway Station and is also convenient for Birmingham International Airport.  It has extensive grounds, a fitness centre, a sauna and a heated indoor pool and is adjacent to Solihull’s indoor shopping centre.

The format will be a five round Swiss tournament.  If there are sufficient entries there will be two sections, an Open and a Challengers Tournament.  The latter is for those players whose grade or estimated grade is below a specified threshold.  The threshold is likely to be set at around 1300.  This will be determined once the final number of players is known.  When making your booking, please state the section you wish to play in.  If you do not state a preference it will be assumed you wish to enter the section according to your grade.

Both tournaments are open to blind and partially sighted players and to associate members of the BCA.  The entry fee is £10.

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.  Likely start times for the five games are 20.00 on the Friday evening, 09.45 and 14.15 on the Saturday and 09.45 and 14.00 on the Sunday.

Prices at the hotel have increased but we are of course doing our best to minimise the effect of this to members.  The cost for dinner, bed and breakfast is £65 per person per night for BCA members and associate members.

Payment for all accommodation (including Sunday if required), together with the £10 entry fee should be sent to the Treasurer, Gill Smith.  The closing date for entries is 18th September.

Any queries about the tournament should be sent to John Fullwood.