58th Begonia Open
9 to 11 March 2024
Presented by Ballarat Chess Club Inc.

Website
https://www.ballaratchess.com/begonia/2024/index.html

Venue
Ballarat Tech School, Federation University 136 Albert Street, Ballarat Central.

Round Times
Saturday 9 March
Registration 12 noon
Opening ceremony 1.30 pm
Round 1 1.45 pm
Round 2 7.30 pm
Sunday 10 March
Round 3 9.30 am
Round 4 2.30 pm
Round 5 7.30 pm
Monday 11 March
Round 6 9.30 am
Round 7 2.30 pm

Rate of Play
All moves in 90 minutes per player plus an increment of 30 seconds per move from move 1. A forfeit will be awarded if a player is 30 minutes late for a game.

Entry Fees
GM’s, WGM’s, IM’s and WIM’s Free
Adults $140
Concession (unemployed and full-time students) $120
A reduction of $20 is available if paid by 22 February 2024

Prizes
Outright 1st $3,000
2nd $1,500
3rd $1,250
4th $1,000

3 Rating Groups for players rated under 2000
1st $1,000
2nd $500

Unrated Prize Group
1st $300
2nd $200

Special Prizes
For members of Box Hill Chess Club not winning another prize
Top Adult $200
Top Woman $200
Top Junior $200

How to enter and pay
Entries and payments can be completed online via the TryBooking link on the tournament website at begoniaopen.com There will be a maximum of 250 players.

Entries Close
Entries will close on Thursday 7 March 2024.

Grandmasters & International Masters
GM’s, WGM’s, IM’s and WIM’s are entitled to free entry to the Tournament. They must however, contact the tournament manager at treasurer@ballaratchess.com to register their intention to play before entries close and get their complimentary entry code for TryBooking https://www.trybooking.com/CNJGK

Half Point Byes
Players may request the Arbiter for up to 2 half point byes in rounds 1 to 5. This must be done in writing prior to the tournament or before the start of the previous round.

Rating Groups and Unrated Players
There will be 3 separate sections for players rated under 2000 and a separate section for unrated players. The 3 rated player groups will be determined by dividing the number of rated players under 2000 by 3. The unrated players will not be included in this calculation and will only be eligible for outright prizes and those shown above for unrated players.

General
The tournament will be rated by both the ACF and FIDE. Draws under 15 moves will not be accepted by the Arbiter.

Covid-19 matters
The committee will follow all Government regulations relating to Covid-19. We ask if anybody has tested positive to Covid-19 in the 3 days prior to the event that they do not attend, and a refund of entry fee will be arranged.

Sponsorship
The club appreciates the generous support of PPT Financial, Federation University, Northern Star Chess, Box Hill Chess Club and the Friends of Begonia.

Further Information
Visit the tournament website at begoniaopen.com where further information is listed. Alternatively call Tournament Manager Kevin Perrin on 0418 533 517 or President Patrick Cook on 0499 255 240 or. Email inquiries to president@ballaratchess.com