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1. Welcome/Invitation
1.1. Dear Friends,
The Liberia Chess Federation (LCF), under the auspices of the African Chess
Confederation (ACC) and in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and
Sports of Liberia, has the honor of inviting all federations within the Zone 4.2
region that are affiliated to the World Chess Federation (FIDE) to participate in
the 2024 Zone 4.2 Individual Chess Championships.
1.2. The event will comprise an Open Section and a Women’s section.
1.3. The Championships will be held from May 9, 2024 (arrival) to May 18, 2024
(departure) at the Creed Lodge in Marshall, Margibi County, Liberia.
2. Participants
2.1. In accordance with FIDE regulations, the Zone 4.2 Individual Chess Championships
are open to all players from federations within the Zone 4.2 region which are
affiliated to FIDE.
2.2. Federations will be allowed to enter a maximum of five (5) players in each
category.
2.3. The host federation reserves the right to field up to seven (7) players in each
category and also hold a player in reserve; that can be registered if there are
an odd number of participants.
2.4. Subject to agreement with the organizers, the Zone 4.2 President and ACC
President may allow additional participants for the tournament.
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3. Tournament Regulations
3.1. It is intended that the Championships will be played in accordance with FIDE
regulations as a 9 Round Swiss System tournament.
3.2. Time control will be 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes
for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting
from move one (1)
3.3. The games will be played using Digital Boards, Digital Clocks; and pairings will
be published on www.chess-results.com
3.4. Swiss Manager will be used for the Championship, and players from the same
Federation will not be paired together in the last round.
3.5. Draw offers are not allowed before Black’s 30th move.
3.6. The default time will be 30 minutes for all rounds.
4. Tie-Break
4.1. In case of a tie for the overall winner or other places, the tie will be broken as
follows:
4.1.1. By the results between the players involved in the tie
4.1.2. Buchholz, the highest number wins;
4.1.3. Number of wins by black, the highest wins
4.1.4. The highest rating
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5. Prizes
5.1. General prizes will be provided for the Open and Women sections based on
the below spread.
5.2. Table of prizes for Open and Women sections:
CASH PRIZES
FINAL RANKING OPEN WOMEN
FIRST $2,000 $1,200
SECOND $1,500 $800
THIRD $1,100 $500
FOURTH $900 $300
FIFTH $700 $200
SIXTH $400
SEVENTH $300
EIGHTH $200
5.3. Special cash prizes will also be available to promote homegrown talents and
to encourage competition in rating bands.
5.4. Note: Prizes may be increased based on actualization of commitments from
sponsors.
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6. Tournament Schedule
6.1. The tournament schedule is as follows but subject to some changes if need
be. However, any changes to the schedule will be communicated during the
Technical Meeting before the start of the first round.
EVENT SCHEDULE | MAY 1-18, 2024
DATE TIME (GMT+0) ACTIVITIES
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2024 ALL DAY ARRIVAL
10:00 TECHNICAL MEETING
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2024
15:00 ROUND 1
10:00 ROUND 2
SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2024
15:00 ROUND 3
10:00 ROUND 4
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2024
15:00 ROUND 5
MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024 ALL DAY REST DAY
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2024 15:00 ROUND 6
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2024 15:00 ROUND 7
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024 15:00 ROUND 8
10:00 ROUND 9
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2024
18:00 CLOSING CEREMONY
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024 ALL DAY DEPARTURE
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7. Arbitration & Appeals
7.1. The Chief Arbiter, Deputy Chief Arbiter and other members of the Arbitration Team
for the 2024 Zone 4.2 Individual Chess Championships will be appointed by
the Zonal President in consultation with the Local Organizing Committee (LOC).
7.2. The Appeals Committee will consist of 3 members and 2 reserves chosen from
among the participating federations.
7.3. The Chairman of the Appeals Committee will be appointed by the Zonal President.
7.4. Any protest regarding a decision taken by the Chief Arbiter or any of his assistants
must be submitted in writing to the Chairman of the Appeals Committee within
ONE Hour after the completion of the respective game.
7.5. A written protest must be accompanied with the sum of US$50.00 as a deposit
from the signatory. The deposit must be handed to the Chairman of the appeals
committee. If the appeal is granted, the sum shall be returned immediately.
If the appeal is found to be baseless by the appeals committee, the deposit
will be forfeited to the LCF.
8. Participation & Registration
8.1. All official players and additional players shall be required to pay a Zonal fee
of $50 per player.
8.2. The Registration Fee for each participating player and accompanying persons
is $60 and must be paid into the Liberia Chess Federation’s account before
May 3, 2024.
8.3. Late registration attracts a penalty charge of $20. The host federation will
thereafter reserve the rights to accept or reject any player.
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8.4. Payments may be made also upon arrival; provided a request is made to the
Organizers. Players whose Fees remain unpaid at the end of the Technical
Meeting will not be allowed to participate in the tournament.
8.5. One player in the Women Category and one in the Open category from each
federation will be recognized as official players while all others will be additional
players.
8.6. Only Federations can register players.
8.7. No refunds will be made for any player, official or accompanying person who
fails to make it to the Tournament after paying Registration or Zonal fees.
8.8. Registration Forms for entries are attached herein; Federation officials must fill
them in and return them to the designated Liberia Chess Federation officials
on or before May 3, 2024 by email to confirm entry.
8.9. All registered players, officials and accompanying persons are entitled to:
8.10. Transportation to and from Roberts International Airport on the arrival and
departure dates.
8.11. For players, free bottled water, coffee or tea and snacks during time of
play.
9. Boarding and Lodging
9.1. All additional players, officials and accompanying persons from participating
federations will lodge at $25 per person per day (sharing) or $60 per person
per day (single room). This payment ($25 for sharing and $60 for single room)
is for full boarding, which includes 3 meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
9.2. All payments related to board and lodging must be made before the DEADLINE
DATE, which is May 3, 2024.
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9.3. Players, officials and accompanying persons who arrive before the official arrival
date or depart after the official departure date will be expected to arrange
their own accommodation for the extra days or pay for the additional days at
the tournament lodging venue.
9.4. Participating Federations will receive free full boarding for one Official Player
in each section.
10. Total Cost of Participation
COST OF PARTICIPATION SUMMARY: REGISTRATION, BOARDING AND LODGING
PARTICIPANTS CATEGORY REG DAYS FULL BOARD/ TOTAL
DAY
A Official Players (sharing) $110 9 $0 $110
A1 Official Players (single) $110 9 $35 $425
B Additional Players (sharing) $110 9 $25 $335
B1 Additional Players (single) $110 9 $60 $650
Accompanying persons
C $60 9 $25 $285
(sharing)
Accompanying persons
C1 $60 9 $60 $600
(single)
10.1. All payments must be made to the account of the Liberia Chess Federation
using the bank details as indicated below or upon arrival subject to a specific
request to the organizers. If payments are not received before the start of the
competition, players will not be allowed to participate in the tournament.
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11. Accreditation
11.1. Each federation should send names together with Passport size photos for all
their players, officials and accompanying persons by May 3, 2024.
12. Bank Details
BANK TRANSFER INFORMATION (US DOLLAR ACCOUNTS)
ACCOUNT NAME LIBERIA CHESS FEDERATION
ACCOUNT NUMBER 6100000092
BANK NAME ECOBANK LIBERIA
BRANCH NAME HEAD OFFICE
SWIFT CODE ECOCLRLM
BANK ADDRESS 10TH STREET SINKOR, MONROVIA, LIBERIA
ACCOUNT NAME LIBERIA CHESS FEDERATION
ACCOUNT NUMBER 53030550012132
BANK NAME UBA LIBERIA
BRANCH NAME HEAD OFFICE
SWIFT CODE UNAFLRLM
BANK ADDRESS BROAD & NELSON STREETS, MONROVIA, LIBERIA
13. Local Currency
The legal tenders in Liberia are the Liberian Dollar and the United States Dollar.
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14. Travel Arrangements
14.1. All traveling arrangements and costs to get to or depart from the Roberts
International Airport (or other points of entry at the various land borders) are to
be taken care of by respective federations or respective players participating
in the tournament.
14.2. Organizers will meet participants and accompanying persons at Roberts
International Airport or at a Bus Terminal in Monrovia provided that the full itinerary
for each participant and their accompanying persons is communicated to the
organizer by May 3, 2024.
15. VISA & VACCINE CARDS
15.1. For delegations coming from countries requiring entry visas, these can be obtained
from Liberian embassies or consulate offices in your respective countries. Most
countries can also process e-visas in advance and obtain Visas on arrival at
the airport or land borders.
15.2. We will avail an official invitation to delegations that need a copy for VISA
processing.
15.3. It’s compulsory in Liberia for travelers to have a Valid Yellow Fever Vaccine Book
and could be asked for COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate.
16. Deadline
16.1. Entry forms must be filled by the respective Federation and returned to the host
federation not later than May 3, 2024. This date is the registration deadline.
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17. Organizers' Contacts
17.1. Tournament Director: Wilfred G. Smith
17.2. Technical Director: Foday W. Kondoh
18. Zone 4.2 Countries
18.1. Burkina Faso
18.2. Cape Verde
18.3. Côte d’Ivoire
18.4. Gambia
18.5. Ghana
18.6. Liberia
18.7. Mali
18.8. Niger
18.9. Nigeria
18.10. Senegal
18.11. Sierra Leone
18.12. Togo
Yours Sincerely,
Thomas Karyah
President
Liberia Chess Federation (LCF)
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19. Registration Form
2024 ZONE 4.2 CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS REGISTRATION FORM
FEDERATION NAME
CONTACT PERSON
EMAIL ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBER
OPEN SECTION PLAYERS
SURNAME NAME FIDE ID RATING
WOMEN SECTION PLAYERS
SURNAME NAME FIDE ID RATING
ACCOMPANYING PERSON(S)
SURNAME NAME DESIGNATION
19.1. This form should be filled by zone 4.2 federations and emailed to the Liberia
Chess Federation ([email protected]) before May 3, 2024.
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20. About the Republic of Liberia
20.1. Liberia is the oldest republic in Africa, established in 1847. It was founded by
freed African-American slaves and became an independent state. The country's
capital, Monrovia, was named after James Monroe, the fifth President of the
United States, who supported the establishment of Liberia.
20.2. Liberia is home to some of the richest biodiversity in Africa, with extensive
rainforests and a variety of wildlife, including elephants, chimpanzees, and
pygmy hippos.
20.3. Guests in Liberia can explore beautiful natural beaches along a very long stretch
of the Atlantic Ocean, such as Robertsport and Buchanan where professional
surfers visit regularly every year for training.
20.4. Sapo National Park, located in southeastern Liberia, is one of the largest tropical
rainforests in the world and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
20.5. Liberia has a strong sports culture with footbal being the leading sport. That
said, Chess has grown in popularity since the civil wars because it offered
many Liberians a form of solace during the country's dark years and recently so
many young Liberians have taken to chess for entertainment, socioeconomic
and educational reasons.
20.6. For many decades Liberia has claimed number 1 spot as the largest ship
registry in the world. The Liberia International Ship and Corporate Registry
(LISCR) has over 4,250 commercial ships and more than 250 ships registered
under the Liberian flag. The Liberia Maritime Authority (LMA), one of the
main sponsors of the 2024 Zonal Chess Championships, represents and
coordinates the country's maritime activities and interests. The playing venue,
Creed Lodge, is just a few minutes drive from the scenic and picturesque
Maritime Academy in Marshall, Margibi County.
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21. The Liberia Chess
Federation's Contacts
21.1. Liberia Chess Federation
21.2. Location: 9th Street, Cheeseman Avenue
21.4. President: Thomas G. Karyah
21.5. Email:
[email protected]21.6. Mobile: +231-777894440/0886894440
21.7. Vice President: Gonkartee Dekpah
21.8. Email:
[email protected]21.9. Mobile: +231776536182
21.10. Secretary General: Wilfred G. Smith
21.12. Mobile: +231770150037 / +231886812058
21.13. Financial Secretary: Beauford Okai
21.15. Mobile: +231770107319 / +231886815615
21.16. Treasurer: Martin Doe, Jr.
21.18. Mobile: +231776901367 / +231886537965
21.19. Religious Coordinator Foday W. Kondoh
21.21. Mobile: +231777053569 / +231880731908
WITH SUPPORT FROM
ABOUT THE 2024 WEST AFRICAN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS
The West African Chess Championships, formally called the Zone 4.2 Individual Chess
Championships (Open and Women), is being organized by the LCF in collaboration with
the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) under the aegis of the International Chess Federation
(FIDE). It brings together 12 ECOWAS countries to compete in a sport that promotes
intellectual and cultural exchanges while supporting regional integration and offering
business opportunities.
The 2024 edition of this event is hosted by the Liberia Chess Federation in collaboration
with the Ministry of Youth and Sports. It is organized under the theme: “Make a Move to
CHECKMATE Drug Abuse.”
