India holds 34th national chess for visually challenged

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011

Hi everyone,

It is heartening to know that India has just held their 34th national chess event for visually challenged children. The winner was Ashwin Makhwana from Gujarat who said, "I have been playing chess full time." Currently rated the best national player he would be representing India in the international chess tourney for the visually challenged next year. You can read the full report at this link.

But how is the game for visually challenged different from the regular game? International Braille Chess Association, affiliated to FIDE, has guidelines for chess for the visually challenged according to which black squares are raised about 3-4 mm above the white squares.

The player is able to determine whether the square is a black or a white one by feeling the squares. Also, each of the square has a hole in the centre where the player can fix the piece.

The players can determine by feeling the shape of the piece, whether is it a pawn, bishop or knight, for instance. Also all the black pieces have a pin fixed on the head which helps the player from distinguishing a white piece from a black one.

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From Alexandra Kosteniuk's

www.chessblog.com

Also see her personal blog at

www.chessqueen.com

First World Chess Games for the Disabled in October in Dresden

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011

Hi everyone,

The first World Chess Games for Disabled will be held in Dresden, Germany this year from October 24-30, according to a press release sent to us.

The tournament is going to take place on a biennial basis (2011 – 2013 – 2015, etc) The first three tournaments will be hosted and organised by ZMDI Schachfestival Dresden e.V.

Participation
The competition is an event only for disabled chess players. Each world association regulates the conditions of participation. It will be held as an open individual tournament with a separate team ranking. Any registered player must be approved of his/her association. Each team consists of four players. A provisional naming of the players should be given together with the registration of the team. Changes in the team can, however, be made until the drawing of lots.

Tournament Hall
Ramada Hotel Dresden
Wilhelm-Franke-Straße 90
01219 Dresden

Schedule
Monday 24th October 19:00 Arrival and Drawing of lots
Tuesday 25th October 08:30 Opening Ceremony
09:00 Round 1
14:00 Free Time
Wednesday 26th October 09:00 Round 2
16:00 Round 3
Thursday 27th October 09:00 Round 4
14:00 Free Time (sightseeing)
Friday 28th October 09:00 Round 5
16:00 Round 6
Saturday 29th October 09:00 Round 7
16:00 Closing Ceremony
Sunday 30th October Departure
Number of Rounds
The competition will be played as a 7 rounds tournament, Swiss System.
Time Control
90 min/40 moves + 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move from move one.

Titles and Prizes
The winner obtains the title:

“Champion of World Chess Games for Disabled”
In the three kinds of disablements the winner obtains the title:
“Winner of World Chess Games for Disabled – Braille”
“Winner of World Chess Games for Disabled – Deaf”
“Winner of World Chess Games for Disabled – Physically disabled”
In the team competition:
“World Team Champion Chess of Disabled”
The winners will obtain gold, silver and bronze medals provided by the organizer.

Ranking
The ranking depends on the number of individual points every player scored in the individual tournament. The team, which scored the most individual points is the winner. If the numbers of team points are equal there will be two titles.

Entry fee
€ 40
The entry fee should be paid to the following account:
Account holder: ZMDI Schachfestival Dresden e.V.
Account number: 312 0070 105
Bank: Ostsächsische Sparkasse
Bank Code: 850 503 00
Cash payment in the tournament hall is also possible.

Accommodation
Any hotel in Dresden, the RAMADA – HOTEL Dresden (4-stars-hotel in a good location), however, makes a special offer for chess players:
Price per person with breakfast plus lunch plus dinner
Double room € 39 € 57 € 75
single room € 59 € 77 € 95

Registration
You can register by an informal letter or fax to ZMDI Schachfestival Dresden e.V., Oskar-Mai-Straße 6, D-01159 Dresden or e-mail.

The complete registration form must include the surname/s, first name/s, FIDE ID, FIDE rating and passport number (only necessary if visas are needed) of each player and each accompanying person.
The organiser would like to ask for a pre-registration until Friday August 12th 2011.

Entry forms must be sent by email to the Organising Committee not later than Friday September 16th 2011

Late registrations can be accepted only if there are enough hotel rooms and playing facilities.

You can obtain more information from:
ZMDI Schachfestival Dresden e.V., Oskar-Mai-Straße 6, D-01159 Dresden
Phone: +49 (0)351 416 1638
Fax: +49 (0)351 416 16 39
E-Mail: wcgd@schachfestival.de

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com