Top players from ten nations will compete in this year's New England Masters. It is a 9 round Swiss FIDE tournament designed to enable players to earn GM and IM norms. It takes place at the Blackstone Chess Academy at the To Kalon Club, 26 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. An opening reception will be held on Monday August 11, 4:00-6:00, followed by the start of round one.

Live play by play will be presented in the lounge of the To Kalon Club, and simulcast on the Internet. Among the participants are US GM-elect Joshua Friedel, German Olympiad star Leonid Kritz, GM Timur Gareev of Uzbekistan, and local talents, Boston Blitz stars Jorge Sammour-Hasbun and Denys Shmelov.

Rounds 2-8 start at 11am and 6pm Tuesday through Friday. The closing ceremony is 9:00pm Friday. More...

The Festival Open takes place over the weekend at the Comfort Inn, 2 George St., Pawtucket. It is a 4 round Swiss, round one begins at 11am Saturday, August 16.

This is a WCL/USCF Grand Prix event (50 points) in two sections, Open (1600+) and Under 1900. Open is FIDE rated. Time Control is 40 moves in 90 minutes, followed by 45 minutes sudden death. Time delay is 15 seconds. Rounds are Sat. 11, 5 Sun. 10:30, 4. A single bye may be requested for round 1, 2, or 3.

Entry fee is free to IM/GM. Advance entry is $75 (only $50 to participants in the Masters). On site entry is $85, registration closes at 10:30.

Prize fund is $4000, $3000 guaranteed. Top prizes in the open section are guaranteed: $600-400-300-200. Several class prizes and youth prizes are offered as well. More...