Chess Tournament: 2019 Northumbria Masters

I have received, from the indefatigable Tim Wall, the details of his next major event, which can be found as under.

Dear chess friends,

I am writing to invite you to play in the 2019 Northumbria Masters - some for the first time, and some hopefully for an enjoyable second visit. You will all be very welcome!

Last year, the 2018 Northumbria Masters was a great success, featuring a very strong field of 7 GMs and 11 IMs in a total of 50 players.

This year we have more space at a superb new hotel venue, Novotel Newcastle Airport, where the players and their families can stay and relax. Because of our new, bigger venue, we have no rating restrictions - in fact, we have three FIDE-rated sections (Masters - open to everyone), Challengers (U-2050) and Major (U-1825) running from 23-27 August, over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Starting on the morning of Friday August 23, we also have a one-day FIDE-rated Junior Rapidplay, with Under 11 and Under 14 sections.

Please do take a look at our entry form (online via our website and also attached to this email), and share it with your friends. Our partners Guaranteed Events Ltd have arranged a special room rate of £69 per person (single occupancy), and £79 per person (double occupancy) at Novotel Newcastle Airport. Please note: This is only available when booking through their dedicated website.

The hotel has 126 very comfortable rooms, has a spacious playing hall accommodating up to 120 players, a stylish restaurant and bar, and secluded outdoor picnic area. There is ample car parking at the hotel, which is free for all competitors, accompanying persons and spectators. It is also very convenient to get to: literally 300 metres from the A1(M) in Newcastle, just 3 miles from Newcastle Airport, and 4 miles from Newcastle Central railway station.

We aim to provide an enjoyable chess holiday experience for all participants and their families. With this in mind, players can order up to 3 half point byes in Rounds 1-8, and we are organising half-day excursions to the North East's most iconic tourist destinations: The castles of Northumberland (Alnwick, Lindisfarne & Bamburgh); Exploring Hadrian's Wall and the Segedenum Roman Fort museum; and a trip to the historic city of Durham, including its Castle and Cathedral. (More details of these trips will be available on our website shortly.)

As the Northumbria Masters is designed to provide title norm opportunities, we are offering special assistance to titled players. Entry for GMs, WGMs, IMs & WIMs is free, and we are also in a position to offer free accommodation to a number of these players with local chess players in their homes.

(For these and other conditions, titled players are requested to contact me personally. Accommodation with local hosts will be made available on a first come, first served basis.)

I look forward to welcoming you to Newcastle for what promises to be a great chess tournament and holiday experience!

Head here for further details, including the entry form and news of junior bursaries.