Commonwealth Open Championship, Commonwealth Age-Group Championships & Challengers Tournaments
1. Organisation
The Festival is organised by Singapore Chess Federation under the auspices of the Commonwealth Chess
Association, Asian Chess Federation and Singapore Sports Council in collaboration with Asean Chess
Academy and Teck Ghee Community Club.
2. Schedule
9th December : Arrival of Players
9th December : Technical Meeting – 2000 hour (players not present shall not be paired for Round 1)
10th December : Round 1 – 0900 hour; Round 2 – 1600 hour
11th December : Round 3 – 0900 hour; Round 4 – 1600 hour
12th December : Round 5 – 0900 hour; Round 6 – 1600 hour
13th December : Round 7 – 0900 hour; Round 8 – 1600 hour
14th December : Round 9 – 0900 hour; Closing Ceremony – 1500 hour
15th December : Departure of Players
Note: For foreign players staying at the Official Hotel, the bus will depart at 1900 hour for the Technical
Meeting. Only for the 1st round, transportation will be provided from Hotel Bencoolen to the Playing
Venue – the bus will depart at 0800 hour sharp.
3. Time Control and Format
Swiss System; FIDE-rated and titled; Rate of play will be 90 minutes for the whole game with 30 seconds
increment for every move starting from the first move. Zero-Start shall be applied.
4. Prize Fund : US$14,500
4.1 Commonwealth Championship (US$10,500):
Only players from Commonwealth nations are eligible for this Event.
1st $2500; 2nd $1500; 3rd $1000; 4th $800; 5th $600; 6th $500; 7th $400; 8th $300; 9th to 15th $200 each;
Best Women $1,000; $500
4.2 Commonwealth Age-Group Championships (US$3,000): Categories (as on 1.1.2009) Under-20,
Under-16 & Under-12
1st $400; 2nd $300; 3rd $200; Best Girl $100
4.3 Challengers Group (US$1,000): For players rated below 2200
1st $300; 2nd \$200; 3rd $100; 4th to 6th $50 each; 7th to 16th $25 each
5. Entry Fees to be payable by 1st November 2009; thereafter penalty of US$ 30 is imposed.
5.1 Entry Fee for Commonwealth Open: (FIDE Rating 2200 and above)
GM, WGM, IM Rating 2500+, WIM Rating 2300+ : Free (but a deposit of US$ 50 is required)
Above 2399 - US$50; 2350 to 2399 - US$75; 2300 to 2349 - US$100; 2250 to 2299 – US$125; Below
2250 - US$150
Note: Juniors U-20 as on 1.1.2009 and Veterans above 60 as on 1.1.2009 will have a 25% discount.
Note: Each Commonwealth member-nation may nominate one player under the rating of 2200 for the
Commonwealth Open.
5.2 Entry for Commonwealth Age-Group Championships: US$75
5.3 Entry Fee for Challengers Group: (FIDE Rating below 2200)
Juniors U-20 as on 1.1.2009 and Veterans above 60 as on 1.1.2009 – US$40; Others - US$50
6. The Official Hotel is Hotel Bencoolen
20 GMs above 2500 on first-come-first-serve basis - free room on twin-sharing basis and breakfast
Each Commonwealth member-nation may nominate one player for the Commonwealth Open and who
shall receive twin-share room and breakfast. Others – Single US$72; Twin US$42 per person; Triple
US$36 per person – room and breakfast.
7. Playing Venue (and also for Technical Meeting)
Teck Ghee Community Club, 861 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10.
8. Entry Fees to be transferred, free of bank charges, to the Singapore Chess Federation:
Bank: DBS Bank Bank Address: Shenton Way, Singapore
Account Number: 001 – 043184 – 6 Swift Code: DBSSSGSG
Address of Singapore Chess Federation: 51 Bishan Street 13 #02-01A, SIGC, Singapore 579799
