BritBase.Info - British Chess Game Archive
12th Monarch Assurance Isle of Man International
27 Sept - 5 Oct 2003
Last updated: Wednesday, August 23, 2017 7:15 PM
The Monarch Assurance PLC 12th International Chess Tournament is taking place at the Ocean Castle Hotel, Port Erin, Isle of Man, from Saturday 27 September to Sunday 5 October 2003. It is a 9-round swiss tournament and is FIDE-rated. There will be £16,500 in total prize money.
This is the official home page for the tournament
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The Ocean Castle Hotel
(Just visible: TD Dennis Hemsley) |
Simen Agdestein receives the 2003 winner's trophy
from Mr Patrick Taylor, MD of Monarch Assurance |
The 2003 line-up is phenomenal - as regards titled players, there are 27 GMs, 16 IMs, 2 WGMs, 9 FMs, 1 WM and 1 WFM representing 31 countries in all. Amongst these are one former world championship finalist, Nigel Short, plus two former Monarch winners - Mark Hebden (2000) and Vladimir Epishin (2002). It makes it one of the strongest international tournaments to be held in the British Isles.
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FINAL... Agdestein first on tie-break from
Smbat Lputian - both scored 7/9 |
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R.I.P. Tony Bridson
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Some
desperately sad news: Tony Bridson, marketing manager of
the Cherry Orchard Hotel and one of the driving forces behind the
Monarch Assurance tournament died today (2 October) at 6.00am, after
a long illness. He had been in a coma for the last week and the
end, when it came, was not unexpected. But such was the incredible
energy and fortitude of Tony that, despite his long-term illness
and severe pain, he had been at his desk organising this tournament
until only about ten days ago. Anyone who knew Tony - and he seemed
to know everyone - will testify to his larger than life personality
and irrepressible good humour, as well as his tremendous contribution
at the Cherry Orchard, to the Monarch Assurance tournament and to
the promotion of tourism in the Isle of Man. Tony wasn't a chess
player, but he did more for chess than thousands of us who play
the game. It didn't end with this tournament; he had other big plans
for the game over here and was still working on them at the time
of his final illness. He will be sorely missed. A minute's silence
was observed for him at the start of round six, and his great friend
and colleague Dennis Hemsley paid a moving and eloquent tribute
to him. "He was my right-hand man". I'm sure everyone
who knew him will join me in paying tribute and sending condolences
to his wife and family. Tony, you were the best. JS (photo: Tony
receiving a present from Dennis Hemsley at the 2001 Monarch Assurance
tournament prize-giving)Open: Prizes - 1st £2,500 and nine more prizes from £1,500 to £200. Five rating prizes - £200 each, plus £200 best score by non-rated player, £200 each for best veteran, lady, junior and Manx. Entry Fee £20, Ladies & Juniors £10. (BCF Direct Members deduct £2). Free entry for titled players and those rated 2300 or over. FIDE-rated 9-round swiss open. Rate of Play: 40 moves in 2 hours, then 20 moves in 1 hour, then remaining moves in 30 minutes. Venue: the Ocean Castle Hotel.
Major (for players graded 175 BCF, 2000 elo, and below): 1st £600, 2nd £500, 3rd £400, plus five grading prizes of £150 each. £200 each for best veteran, lady, junior and Manx. New in 2003 is a £150 best game prize given by 'Mann on the Ground'. Entry Fee £15, Ladies & Juniors £7. (BCF Direct Members deduct £2). Club teams of three - no entry fee - save up to £45. Team prize for the best aggregate score. Rate of Play: 40 moves in 2 hours, then all the moves in 1 hour. Venue: The Cherry Orchard Hotel.
Minor (for players graded 120 BCF, 1560 elo, and below): 1st £400, 2nd £300, 3rd £250, plus five grading prizes of £150 each. £150 each for best veteran, lady, junior and Manx player. New in 2003 is a £100 best game prize given by 'Mann on the Ground'. Entry Fee £9, Ladies & Juniors £5. (BCF Direct Members deduct £1). Club teams of three - no entry fee - save up to £27. Team prize for the best aggregate score £200. Rate of Play: 40 moves in 2 hours, then all the moves in 1 hour (note - this has changed from 2002). Venue: The Erin Arts Centre.
Part of the BCF Grand Prix. Game fee registered. The
Open is a Smith & Williamson British Championship qualifier.
Arbiters: Richard Furness, John Robinson
Additional Information about the Tournament
| Tournament Director: Dennis Hemsley Webmaster: John Saunders |
Main Sponsors
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Monarch Assurance