26-02-2014, 08:11 AM
For me Blackpool remains a great tournament to play in. Holiday resort genuinely on the coast where bed and breakfast can easily be found for £15 a night. If the car park sounds expensive just walk from the digs.
Can't take food into the venue? Get up in time for breakfast, massive choice of cheap eat out options between rounds. Can't take drink into the venue - don't see why that's a problem - I didn't hear anyone complaining at SNCL last weekend. I think Blackpool laid on free water while I was there.
The 2014 Blackpool congress is in two weekends time. I can't make it myself this year...... too many chess based commitments in Scotland over the next few weeks.
Incidentally ECF grade conversions have been problematic over the last few years. The current ECF grading people are doing their best. I see the latest conversion on the ECF web site is 7.5*ECF+700 = FIDE
Can't take food into the venue? Get up in time for breakfast, massive choice of cheap eat out options between rounds. Can't take drink into the venue - don't see why that's a problem - I didn't hear anyone complaining at SNCL last weekend. I think Blackpool laid on free water while I was there.
The 2014 Blackpool congress is in two weekends time. I can't make it myself this year...... too many chess based commitments in Scotland over the next few weeks.
Incidentally ECF grade conversions have been problematic over the last few years. The current ECF grading people are doing their best. I see the latest conversion on the ECF web site is 7.5*ECF+700 = FIDE