ACO World Amateur Chess Championship 2018 in Kos (Greece)

13th -21th May 2018

The ACO World Amateur Chess Championship 2018 takes place from 13th -21th May 2018 on the island of Kos (Greece) as an open tournament.

Any player with a rating below 2400 can represent his country and become ACO World Champion in his rating group!

Accommodation for all players and accompanying persons:

5-star Hotel Helona Resort Kos. Built by Hilton Hotel Group.

The playing hall is located inside the hotel.

Division of groups:

The tournament is played in the following rating groups:

Group A: 2201 – 2400

Group B: 2001 – 2200

Group C: 1801 – 2000

Group D: 1601 – 1800

Group E: 1401 – 1600

Group F: 1201 – 1400

Group G: 0 (unrated) – 1200

Every group plays separately meaning you only play opponents of similar playing strength in your group. For the division of groups we consider your ELO/national rating at the moment of registration. For players having both an ELO-rating and a national rating, the higher rating counts. In exceptional

cases the organizer decides on written application of the participant.

Mode and time control:

9 rounds Swiss System.

Rate of play:

90 minutes for 40 moves + 15 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 1.

Default time: 30 minutes.

Starting fee (only for players)

50 EUR

Prizes: 5.000 EUR (based on 100 entries)

         Group A                               Group B                                 Group C

     2201 – 2400                         2001 – 2200                           1801 – 2000

1st place:500 EUR             1st place: 400 EUR                 1st place: 400 EUR

2nd place: 200 EUR           2nd place: 200 EUR               2nd place: 200 EUR

3rd place: 100 EUR            3rd place: 100 EUR               3rd place: 100 EUR

          Group D                              Group E                                 Group F

      1601 – 1800                        1401 – 1600                           1201 – 1400

1st place: 400 EUR            1st place: 400 EUR                  1st place: 400 EUR

2nd place: 200 EUR           2nd place: 200 EUR                2nd place: 200 EUR

3rd place: 100 EUR            3rd place: 100 EUR                3rd place: 100 EUR

         Group G

         0 – 1200

1st place: 400 EUR

2nd place: 200 EUR

3rd place: 100 EUR

Tournament Rules and Regulations:

The ACO cannot provide any conditions for titled players. All players and accompanying persons are obliged to stay in the oicial hotel. All booking must be made directly through the ACO.

Weather:

The temperatures in May are mild and sunny with temperatures up to 28 degrees Celcius. May is considered to be one the most beautiful months.

Extra nights:

If you wish to arrive prior to the event or want to extend your stay in Helona Resort, please send us an email to kos@amateurchess.com

Transfer from the airport:

The hotel is 10 minutes away from the airport. The costs for a taxi are ca. 20 EUR, the costs for a busticket ca. 3 EUR.

1st place of each rating group becomes ACO World Champion.

Places 1-3 receive trophies.

The following services are included for all players & accompanying persons:  9 overnight stays in 5-star Helona Resort Kos  Full board Plus:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner including non-alcoholic drinks

Helona Resort Kos normally ofers half board only. Full board plus will be served exclusively for the participants and accompanying persons of the ACO World Amateur Chess Championship 2018.  Drinks latrate (value 150 EUR)

Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks during the meals.  Alcoholic drinks for a special price

If you want to enjoy alcoholic drinks during or after the meals, the hotel ofers special coupons for ACO guests to a much reduced price of 2 EUR per drink. A coupon costs 20 EUR and is valid for 10 drinks, like beer, wine/red wine, long drinks and more. You can buy as many coupons at the reception as you want.  Free drinks & snacks during the chess games (value 80 EUR) Water, cofee, orange juice as well as snacks are included. Unlimited, you can drink as much as you want to!

 Free game analysis with GM Spyridon Skembris & GM Zigurds Lanka

After the end of your games, you can analyze them with the Greek national coach Spyridon Skembris and world famous coach Zigurds Lanka

 Free grandmaster chess lectures

The grandmasters Skembris and Lanka will hold two lectures during the tournament about diferent chess topics (Duration about 1,5h each).

 Free chess side program (participation is voluntary)

Each evening there will be a diferent chess event. For example blitz tournaments (Indvidual or teamblitz), grandmaster simultaneous exhibition etc.  Private hotel beach (sandy beach)  Free internet access

Saturday May 12th Arrival

From

6:00 PM Registration & welcome drink at the pool

7 to 11 PM Dinner

Sunday May 13th 9:00 AM Draw of pairings for Round 1

9:30 AM Opening ceremony

10:00 AM Round 1

6:30 PM Blitz tournament (individual)

Monday May 14th 10:00 AM Round 2

4:00 PM Round 3

Tuesday May 15th 10:00 AM Round 4

4:00 PM Grandmaster lecture

6:30 PM Blitz tournament (in teams)

Schedule ACO World Amateur Chess Championship 2018

Wednesday May 16th 10:00 AM Round 5

4:00 PM Round 6

Thursday May 17th Free day

Friday May 18th 10:00 AM Round 7

4:00 PM Grandmaster lecture

6:30 PM Simultaneous exhibition

Saturday May 19th 10:00 AM Round 8

6:30 PM Blitz tournament (indiviual)

Sunday May 20th 10:00 AM Round 9

6:00 PM Farewell Drink at the pool + prize-giving ceremony

7:00 PM Final dinner

Monday May 21st Departure

The participation at the side program like for example blitz tournaments, lectures or simultaneous exhibition is voluntary.