Jumuiya Ya Afrika Mashariki

Open Chess Tournament

2023
Dates: December 15th – December 17th, Nairobi, Kenya
Venue: Verona Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya

INVITATION

“Uniting nations, forging friendships, growing talent

one move at a time ”
1. INVITATION

Dear Somalia Chess friends,

We are delighted to announce the dates for the Jumuiya Ya Afrika Mashariki Open Chess Tournament
2023, which will run from 15th December 2023 to Sunday 17th December 2023.
The Fide Rated Chess Tournament will be Organized and Sponsored by the Gift of Chess
Organization, in Kenya.

Venue: The venue of the tournament is Verona Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya

Date: The tournament will be held between Friday 15th December 2023 to Sunday 17th December
2023.
Registration fee: KES. 2000/= for Kenyans and USD ($) 25 for non-Kenyans.
(Early registration)

2. PARTICIPANTS QUALIFICATION

The tournament is Open to all Junior players (U8 – U18 Years of Age) and All Seniors (Under
Published FIDE Rating 1799 ELO Rating and below as at November 31st 2023) belonging to
federations which are affiliated to the World Chess Federation (FIDE) and will be divided into
two major categories during awarding;

The Tournament is Open to All Players that meet the following:

a) Fide Rating Under 1799 Elo and below (Will be referred to as U1800
Elo)
b) 18 Years of Age and Below (Junior&Cadet)

Open Category; which will be played as a single category with the following award sub-category

a) Open prize award positions 1-5 in the final ranking

b) Under 18yrs of age (U8-U18) 1-5 in the final ranking
c) PWD/DAP (Differently Abled Parsons) award positions 1
d) Best Junior Girl /Boy Overall award positions 1
 Note:

Ø In accordance with the organizer’s regulations, players need to indicate clearly the
section and sub-section they are interested to compete in during registration.
Ø A junior who is U18 Years of Age and seniors of FIDE ELO Rating 1799 and below
is welcome to take part.

3. PLAYING VENUE
The venue of the tournament is Verona Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.
Verona hotel and Conference Center is a 4-star hotel Located at Spur Mall, Thika road Ruiru Exit
13 Nairobi Kenya. Situated in Nairobi, 28 km from Village Market, Verona Hotel and Conference
Center features accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and
a bar. Featuring a terrace, this 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom. The
accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and free Wi-Fi throughout
the property.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ABh7dyeaWtb85usU8
Reception Area Playing Hall Technical Meeting Area

Meals Refreshments Accommodations

Swimming Pool Area Gym Area Entrance Area

4. TOURNAMENT RULES & REGULATIONS

i. It is intended that the Championships will be played in accordance with FIDE regulations
as a 7-Round Swiss System tournament
ii. The Time Control will be 60 minutes.
iii. The games will be played using Digital clocks; and pairing will be published on
www.chess-results.com server.
iv. Draw offers are not allowed before Black’s 30th move.
v. Default time/Walk-over time is 30 minutes for all rounds.
vi. Round one (1) and Round (2) will be accelerated.
vii. No half-point byes will be issued.
viii. Missing a round without notification of the Chief Arbiter will result in automatic
withdrawal from the tournament.
ix. Results will be updated during the round at intervals of 15 minutes, 1 hour from the
beginning of the round.
x. Once pairings are published they will not be changed.
xi. Flash photography may only be taken in the first ten minutes of each round by
authorization of the Organizer prior to the Tournament.
xii. Only the players and arbiters shall be allowed access to the actual playing area.
xiii. Players are not allowed to enter the closed area of the top boards unless they are playing
there themselves.
xiv. As long as the game is in progress, a player may talk only to an arbiter or to his opponent
as permitted by the Laws of Chess.
xv. The FIDE Code of Ethics applies and all players, arbiters, organizers & participants shall
follow these regulations.
5. TIE BREAK SYSTEM
In case of two or more players finishing with the same number of points, the order will be determined
by application of the following tie-breaking procedures in sequence, proceeding from (a) to (b) to (c)
to (d) to the extent required:

a) Direct Encounter
b) Buchholz cut-1, the highest number wins;
c) Buchholz, the highest number wins;
d) Number of wins, the highest number wins.

In un-played games, the following criteria will be applied:

a) Buchholz cut-1, the highest number wins;

b) Buchholz, the highest number wins;
c) Number of wins, the highest number wins.

6. MAIN PRIZES AND AWARDS

§ In cases where players are tied, the prize money will be shared according to the Hort System,
Considering All Tied Players. This is applicable to the Open and Ladies' main categories of
prizes.

Distribution of Prizes:
o A player can win one prize only, the highest one available.
o Winners in each section of the championships will also be awarded trophies.
o The first runners-up and Second runners-up will be awarded medals
o The special prizes will not be shared but will be awarded according to the tie-breaking
criteria.
o The prizes will be transferred to the awarded players’ bank accounts/mobile money

Table showing Prizes and Awards Distribution

Open Rank Prizes (USD) $
1ST 200
2ND 170
3RD 140
4TH 110
5TH 80
Juniors Rank Prizes (USD) $
1ST 200
2ND 170
3RD 140
4TH 110
5TH 80
 • Complementary Prizes will be shared later for the Best Junior Girl/Boy Overall and Best
PWD/DAP (Differently Abled Persons) Open Section.
• The Top Juniors in the following Age Categories U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, U18 will get
Trophies.
• There will also be Medals for the 1st Runners up and 2nd Runners up in the following Age
Categories U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, and U18.
• All Participants will be provided with Certificates of Participation

7. TOURNAMENT PLAYING SCHEDULE

The tournament schedule is as indicated below. The schedule can however be changed should the
need arise. Any changes to the schedule will be communicated during the Technical Meeting before
the start of the first round.

Day Date Schedule Periods (EAT) Hours

Thursday, December Arrival day Open
14
Friday, December Technical Meeting 8:00 Am
15
December Opening Ceremony 8:30 Am
15
December Round 1 9:00 Am
15
December Round 2 11:40 Am
15
December Lunch Break Lunch Break
15
December Round 3 3:00 Pm
15
Saturday, December Round 4 9:00 Am
16
December Round 5 11:40 Am
16
December Lunch Break Lunch Break
16
December Round 6 3:00 Pm
16
Sunday, December Round 7 9:00 Am
17
December Closing Ceremony 12:00 Pm
17
December Tours (Open) 2:30 – 6.30 Pm
17
Monday December Departure Open
18
 8. ARBITRATION TEAM

Chief Arbiter:

IA/NI Kingoina, Peter Duke Michieka 10801880 – Kenya (+254 720 475 116)

Deputy Chief Arbiter:

IA/FI Kimera, Innocent 10000631 – Uganda (+256 774 452 826)

The Gift of Chess Organization, Kenyan, and Global Outreach Team will appoint the Assistant
arbiters. The Organizer will announce the Names during the Technical Meeting.

9. APPEALS COMMITTEE & PAIRINGS

The Chairman of the Appeals Committee, two (2) other members and reserves will be appointed from
members present at the tournament during the technical meeting.

The organizer will announce the Members of the Appeal Committee.

Appeals should be submitted in writing to the Chief Arbiter within 30 minutes after the occurrence of
the incident in question, with a US$100 deposit. The deposit is refundable, if the appeal is successful.

10. REGISTRATION AND TOURNAMENT FEES

I. All participants shall be required to pay Tournament Fees depending on their residency
a) All Kenyans registering as individual participants KSh 2,000/=
b) Players from federations affiliated to the African Chess Confederation (ACC) US$ 25 per
player.
c) Players from other continents/federations US$ 50 per player
d) PWD/DAP will be given free entrance
II. Players whose fees remain unpaid at the start of the Technical Meeting will not be allowed to
participate in the tournament.
III. No refunds will be made for any Player who fails to make it to the Tournament after paying
registration fees.
IV. Registration: Kindly use few minutes to register via Google Form Link;
https://forms.gle/ZtaKXg3fzm9dG8oZ6 (This will ease the registration process with Tournament
Organizers and Arbitration Team)
11. BANK PAYMENT DETAILS

ACCOUNT THE GIFT OF CHESS AFRICA LIMITED

NAME

ACCOUNT 1319758037
NUMBER

BANK NAME KCB BANK

BRANCH NAME JKUAT Branch

BRANCH CODE 0314

BANK CODE 01

SWIFT CODE KCBLKENX

BANK ADDRESS NAIROBI, KENYA

M-PESA Payment Option

Paybill: 522533

Account Number: 7703162

12. LOCAL CURRENCY

The local currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KSh).

13. ACCREDITATION
Each participant shall send their official name together with passport-size photos to prepare
accreditation cards.
14. DEADLINE REGISTRATION DATES
ü The Google form https://forms.gle/ZtaKXg3fzm9dG8oZ6 must be filled by
participants online no later than 5th December 2023

ü Accommodations Arrangements
For all those willing to be assisted with Accommodations arrangements, do not hesitate
to contact the in charge no later than 5th December 2023

Contact Number: +254 722 274 720

Contact Person: Ms. Phylis Ngigi

15. ORGANISATION COMMITTEE CONTACTS

Contact Person: Ms. Phylis Ngigi
Phone Contact: +254 722 274 720
E-mail: globaloutreach@thegiftofchess.org
Official website: www.thegiftofchess.org

We look forward to welcoming you to our First Ever Vision to bring the
African Community together in the Sport of chess, to help one to be one!!

Yours Sincerely!