Falling In

MY major-tournament plans for the autumn are more-or-less fixed, starting with the European senior team championships, which start in Crete tomorrow, as I detailed, with links, yesterday.

Sep 7-15 Bad Bertrich

50+ event in a spa town in the Eifel mountains of Rhineland-Palatinate. Nine mostly morning rounds over nine days. 40 moves in 90 minutes, with 30 minutes to finish, and a 30-second increment throughout.

Oct 10-18 Calvià

U2350 tournament in Mallorca. Nine mostly evening rounds over nine days. 40 moves in 90 minutes, with 15 minutes to finish, and a 30-second increment throughout.

Oct 26-31 English 65+ Championship

Venue is a Holiday Inn on the outskirts of Peterborough, where seven other English championships are being held. Seven mostly afternoon rounds over six days. All moves in 90 minutes, with a 30-second increment throughout.

Nov 7-14 Cap Negret

65+ tournament - there is also a 50+ event - on the Costa Blanca. Nine mostly late-afternoon rounds over eight days. All moves in 90 minutes, with a 30-second increment throughout.

Nov 28-Dec 5 Gran Hotel Bali

Annual Benidorm chess festival with many events, including a main tournament that no longer has a rating ceiling, and consequently has attracted 15 grandmasters, headed by Gata Kamsky. Nine mostly late-afternoon rounds over eight days. All moves in 90 minutes, with a 30-second increment throughout.

I also hope to play league and county chess, and may fit in a weekender.