The World Chess Federation (FIDE) The Greek Chess Federation The Chess Club Galaxias of Thessaloniki The Tourist Complex “G-Hotels” WORLD AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP OPEN TO ALL FIDE COUNTRIES GENERAL REGULATIONS 1. INVITATION The ¨Galaxias¨ Chess Club of Thessaloniki and the Greek Chess Federation have the honour of inviting National Chess Federations, and eligible players in the World Amateur Championship 2008 organised in Kallithea, Halkidiki-Greece from 28^thApril (Arrival) to 6^th of May (Departure) 2008. 2. RIGHT OF PARTICIPATION The participants shall have no FIDE Title or published FIDE Rating above 2000 at the start of the tournament nor had such a rating for at least two years prior to the start of the event. The World Amateur Championship is open to all eligible chess players registered with their federation. FIDE member federations shall have the right to send as many players as they wish. The World Amateur Women's Championship shall be held as part of the World Amateur Championship and female contestants will be eligible to win both titles. 3. CONDITIONS OF ENTRY - FEES 3.1. Each participant must pay 30 EUR to the Organizing Committee as a registration fee. 3.2. Fide entry for the first two nominees of each FIDE member federation shall be free. The entry fee for other players is 30 euros and this shall be collected by the Organiser and forwarded to FIDE. 4. REGISTRATION AND TRAVEL CONDITIONS 4.1 Entry forms must be sent from the National Federations or players and returned to the Organizing Committee not later than Monday March 17^th2008. If the registration form is not forwarded by the Federation a copy must be sent to the National Federation. The individual participations must have the approval of the National Federations. 4.2 The complete registration form must include the surname/s, first name/s, FIDE ID number, FIDE rating and passport number (for visa only purpose) of each player and each accompanying person. It must also include the name and telephone/e-mail/fax number of the Delegation chief. 4.3 The cost of bus transportation from Thessaloniki airport to the Tournament Venue (G-Hotels Grand Resort) with return on the departure day is 60 EUR per person. Transportation in other days is possible after personal requests. 4.4 At the time of registration Monday March 17^th2008 the amount of 30 EUR (registration) + 30% of the total accommodation cost + 60 EUR transportation cost (if required) must be transferred , free of bank charges, to the following bank account of the Organizing Committee for each participant or accompanying person. Delegations are advised to pay the total amount of their expenses through the bank account: Bank Account: BANK: EFG EUROBANK ERGASIAS S.A SWIFT/BIC : EFGBGRAA. IBAN: GR5102601380000900100029381 BANK CODE: 026 BRANCH CODE: 0138 ACCOUNT NUMBER: 0026-0138-90-0100029381 BANK ADDRESS: SALAMINOS STREET THESSALONIKI GREECE ACCOUNT HOLDER: THEODOROS TSORBATZOGLOU Once the transfer has been confirmed, the Organising Committee will confirm the assigned booking confirmation for all the hotel reservations. 4.5. The Organizing Committee may schedule charter flights or team tickets from Moscow and other places to Thessaloniki with return. More details will be announced at the official tournament site (www.gamesfestival.com). 5. VENUE - ACCOMMODATION 5.1. Accommodation and board will be provided at G-Hotel Complex. Participants have three different choices inside the Complex. Athos Palace (**), Pallini Beach (), Macedonian Sun () (Limited number of rooms). Playing Hall is Conference Center at the G-Hotels Complex. 5.2. Every participant is obliged to lodge at the official hotels. Every accompanying person that requests a visa from the Organizing Committee is obliged to lodge at the official hotels. Bookings are made only through the Organizing Committee (fill registrations and bookings forms). Hotel payments for all players and accompanying persons must be made on arrival in Halkidiki or in advance. Hotel payments must be paid in EUR currency (euros). No future payments of hotel bills will be accepted. 5.4. Lodging for players, coaches and accompanying persons will cost per room, per day HB* (includes breakfast & one meal in buffet): For the second meal, participants will have plenty of choices within the hotel complex. The prices are valid from 28 April till the day of departure. Since 27^th of April is Orthodox Easter there are special programs and offers for the hotel accommodation. Please contact the Organising Committee for more details.
Prices per room Per day H/B From 28^th April			ATHOS & PALLINI BEACH ********				MACEDONIAN SUN (limited) *******
TYPE OF ROOM
SINGLE			67
DOUBLE			90				80
TRIPLE			120				105
SUITE (4 persons)			155
SUITE (4 persons) 1 child U12			140
6. RULES AND REGULATIONS 6.1. The tournament will be played according to the Swiss System in 9 rounds. National ratings will not be taken into consideration for the pairings. Rate of play will be according to FIDE regulations 90 minutes for 40 moves plus 30 minutes for the rest of the Game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 1.Participants who have not confirmed their participation by Tuesday 29^th 12:00 will not be paired for the first round. 7. PLAYING SCHEDULE
Monday		April 28^th			Arrival of Participants
Tuesday		April 29^th			12:00 Technical Meeting - Pairings
Tuesday		April 29^th			16:00 Round 1
Wednesday		April 30^th			10:00 Round 2
Wednesday		April 30^th			16:00 Round 3
Thursday		May 1^st			16:00 Round 4
Friday		May 2^nd			16:00 Round 5
Saturday		May 3^rd			10:00 Round 6
Saturday		May 3^rd			16:00 Round 7
Sunday		May 4^th			16:00 Round 8
Monday		May 5^th			10:00 Round 9
Monday		May 5^th			16:00 Closing Ceremony
Monday		May 5^th			18:00 Blitz tournament
Tuesday		May 6^th			Departure of Participants
8. PRIZES – TITLES The World Amateur Champion shall be awarded the title of FIDE master and a rating of 2200. The Women’s World Amateur Champion shall be awarded the title of Woman FIDE master and a rating of 2050.In the Open Section the winner of the Silver Medal shall be awarded a rating of 2100 and the Bronze Medal a rating of 2050.
PRIZE FUND (5.000 EUROS)
GENERAL STANDINGS				WOMEN
1.	1000			1.		600
2.	800			2.		400
3.	500			3.		200
4.	300			4.		100
5.	200			5.		100
6.	200			6.		100
7.	150
8.	150
9.	100
10.	100
Between tied players money prizes are divided equally. In case of a player having the right to two or more prizes he gets the higher one. 9. PARALLEL PROGRAM · International Open Chess Tournament for players over 2000 rating. 9 rounds Swiss system – same schedule day and time with the Amateur Championship · International Open School Cup – European School Individual Championship 9 rounds Swiss system – same schedule day and time with the Amateur Championship · International Open Blitz Tournament 7 rounds Swiss system - Monday 5^th May 18:00 – Money Prizes · International Arbiter Seminar According the FIDE rules – Arbiter norms and titles 29^th April – 4^th May (exams) Information: Takis Nikolopoulos IA, Chairman of FIDE Arbiter Council · School Teacher Seminar 3^rd May – 4^th May Information: Alexander Kostyev President of International School Chess Union · Chess Marketing Seminar 3^rd May – 4^th May by Marketing Experts Information: Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou,Marketing Manager · Greek Night – Thursday May 1^st – Traditional dancers and Greek special foods. · Excursions Program The O.C. will propose excursions in ancient and famous Greek places (Vergina, Mountain Athos) For all the parallel events and seminars will be published detailed schedule and regulations. 11. CONTACT THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE Tournament Manager Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou Tel.- Fax.: +30 2310865778 - E-mail: teotsorb@otenet.gr Chief Arbiter Panagiotis Nikolopoulos - E-mail: takisnik@yahoo.com Technical Tournament Director Viron Tsorbatzoglou Tel. 0030 697 473 50 72 - Email: virile@otenet.gr 12. VISA INFORMATION Teams or players needing visas are requested to contact the Organizing Committee before March 1^st 2008 and apply on time to Greek Authorities. The Organizing Committee will provide invitations for visas only after the necessary payments. The O.C has no responsibility on late or not complete applications.