The 50th Thanet Chess Congress will take place from August 16th-18th at St George’s School in Broadstairs. As this is the 50th congress, in addition to some very generous prize money, both the SCCU and Kent Individual Championships, and qualification for the ECF Grand Prix, there are five special prizes of brass kings (see right) to be awarded to the winners of each of the sections. These are being made by Broadstairs’ own John Couzens and are unique prizes so sign up now. The policy of offering free entry to GMs and IMs and charging only £5 for U16s, which resulted in a high class field of juniors last year, is being repeated. Once again, there will be a charity bookstall and this year the chosen charity is the Royal British Legion. If you have any unwanted old (or new) chess books that are cluttering up your house that you wish to discard, please bring some along and they will be made available for anyone who wants them in return for a donation in the charity box. Full details including online entry can be found on the congress website by clicking here. At present, top seed in the Open is IM Alan Merry. Here is one of his wins on the way to victory two years ago.
White: Alan Merry (240) Black: Paul Kemp (185)
2017 Thanet Open