Ghana Chess federation announces 2016 ZONE 4.4 Individual Chess Championships

                                                                       

The 2016 ZONE 4.4 Individual Chess Championships  scheduled to hold between March 28th – 06th April 2016 has been announced by the Host , The Ghana Chess Association , Nigeria who has proved to be a strong force in the west African region is a member of the Zone 4.4 and are expected to feature star players at the event , The zone 4.4 event held in Togo in year 2015 produced Five FIDE MASTERS FM and a CANDIDATE MASTER CM (all from Nigeria) FM Kigigha Bomo, FM Abimbola Osunfuyi,FM Uwanna Eugene, FM Fawole John Oyeyemi , FM Daniel Anwuli , FM Onovughe Ochuko Emmanuel and a CM Oyama Ekok Oyama !!  It is hoped that the event this year will feature a stronger field of Players and will be more competitive as other Countries in the zone will be aiming to challenge the Dominance of the Nigerians.
       SHERIDAN  HOTEL, ACCRA, GHANA
                                                       INVITATION

Under the auspices of the African Chess Confederation (ACC), the Ghana Chess Federation
(FTDE) has the honor of inviting all chess federations in Zone 4.4 that are affiliated to the
World Chess Federation (FIDE) to participate in the 2016 Zone 4.4 Individual Chess
Championships.
The event will comprise an Open Section and a Women’s Section.
The Championships will be held from 28th March, 2016 (arrival) to 06th  March, 2016
(departure) at Sheridan hotel in Accra, the capital of Ghana
2. Participants
In accordance with FIDE regulations, the Zone 4.4 Individual Championships are open to all
players from federations within the Zone 4.4 region which are affiliated to FIDE.
Federations will be allowed to enter a maximum of three (3) players in each category.
The host federation reserves the right to field up to five (5) players in each category and also
hold a player in reserve; that can be registered in the event that there are an odd number of
participants.
Subject to agreement with the organizers, the Continental President may allow additional
participants for the tournament.
3. Tournament Regulations
It is intended that the Championships will be played in accordance with FIDE regulations as
a 9 Round Swiss System tournament.
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).
The games will be played using DGT clocks; and pairing will be published on www.chessresults.com

Swiss Manager will be used for the Championship, and players from the same Federation
will not be paired together in the last round.
Draw offers are not allowed before Black’s 30th move.
4. Tie-Break
In case of a tie for the overall winner or other places, the tie will be broken as follows:
a) By the results between the players involved in the tie
b) Buchholz, the highest number wins;
c) Number of wins, the highest number wins;
d) Number of wins by black, the highest wins
e) The highest rating
5. Title Awards
The winner in the Open Section will be awarded International Master (IM) title whilst the winner
in the Women’s Section will be awarded the Woman International Master (WIM) title.
 Other titles will be awarded in accordance with FIDE title requirements.
6. Prizes
Open
Winner: US$ 1,000
Second Place: US$ 750
Third Place: US$ 500
Fourth place : US$ 300
Fifth : US$ 200
Women
Winner: US$ 600
Second Place: US$ 400
Third Place: US$ 200
7. Qualification

The 2016 Zone 4.4 Championships is a qualification event for the 2017- 2018 ACC grand prix
The Winner of each Section will qualify for the 2017-2018 ACC grand prix
8. Tournament Schedule
The tournament schedule is as follows but subject to some changes if need be. However any
change to the schedule will be communicated during the Technical Meeting before the start
of 1st round.
28th March, Monday       Arrival Technical Meeting Opening Ceremony
29th March, Tuesday    1 st Round
30th March                      3rd Round  2nd Round
31st March                      4th Round
01st April                     5th Round
02nd April                     6th Round
03rd  April                     7th Round
04th April                        8th Round
05th April                       9th Round & Closing Ceremony
06th april                        Departure

9. Chief Arbiter & Appeals Committee
The Chief Arbiter for the 2016 Zone 4.4 Chess Championships will be appointed by the ACC
President.

The Appeals Committee will consist of 3 members and 2 reserves chosen from among the
participating Federations.
Protests should be submitted in writing to the Chief Arbiter within two hours (2 hours) after the
end of the round in question, with a US $100 deposit. The deposit is refundable, if the appeal is
successful
10. Board and Lodging
All players, officials and accompanying persons from participating federations will lodge at
Euros 60 per person per day (sharing) or Euros 75 per person per day (single room). This
cost includes 3 meals (breakfast, lunch and supper).
All payments related to board and lodging must be effected before the 16th March 2016
which will be the deadline, or upon arrival (after confirming with the organizers).
Players, officials and accompanying persons who arrive before the 28 th March 2016 or depart
after 06 April 2016 will be expected to arrange their own accommodation for the extra
days or pay for the additional days at the tournament lodging venue, Sheridan  Hotel.
Participating Federations will receive free board and lodging for one player in each category.
Important note: all payments must be made to the account of the Ghana chess Association as
indicated in item 11. Bank Details 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
9. FIDE Fees
In accordance with FIDE regulations an entry fee of 70 Euros is required for each player.
Federations are expected to pay entry fees for all their players and the fees must be paid
directly to FIDE. Players whose fees will not have been paid will not be allowed to
participate to the tournament.
10. Registration Fees:
The Registration Fee for each participating player is 100 Euros and must be paid into Ghana
ChessAssociation account before 16th March 2016
Payments may also be made upon arrival; provided a request is made to the Organizers.
Players whose fees remain unpaid at the start of the Technical Meeting will not be allowed to
participate to the tournament.
Only Federations can register players.
The Registration Fee for each official and each accompanying person will be 100 Euros.
No refunds will be made for any player, official or accompanying person who fails to make it
to the Tournament after paying registration or FIDE fees.
Registration Forms for entries are attached herein; Federation officials must fill them in and
return them to the designated Ghana Chess association officials on or before 16th March 2016
by e-mail to confirm entry.
All registered players, officials and accompanying persons are entitled to:-
- Free Transfer (to and from) Accra International Airport on arrival and departure.
- Shuttle to various places in the city depending on the Shuttle schedule. 4
11. Bank Details
Account Name - Ghana chess Association
 Bank Name: Stambic Bank
 Branch Name : Spintex road Branch
  SWIFT CODE : SBICGHAC
 Account Number : 9040003489927

(For all payments do send proof of payment, with reference of Zone 4.4, your Federation name
and names of players, officials and accompanying persons being registered)
12. Travel Arrangements
All traveling arrangements and costs to and from Accra International Airport are to be taken
care of by respective Federations or respective players participating in the tournament.
Organizers will meet participants and accompanying persons at Accra International Airport
provided that full itinerary for each participant and their accompanying persons are
communicated to the organizer in advance, (not later than 16th March 2016).
13. Visas
Participants from countries who require entry Visas into ghana, may obtain them from Ghana embassies or consulates. The host federation will arrange for official  invitations to facilitate applications for those countries that need special invitations, should there be any problems in obtaining entry visas, the intending travelers should immediately contact the Ghana chess association(info@ghanachess.com or  sliss143@yahoo.com) It is adviseable that this invitation letter be carried by players and officials when crossing through the Ghana borders in case of the need for any required clarification.
14. Local Currency
The local currency is Ghana Cedi. which currently stands at an exchange rate of GHS 4.30 =1 Euro, or GHS3 = US$1
15. Deadline
Entry forms must be filled by the respective Federation and returned to the host federation
not later than 16th March 2016. This date is the registration deadline.
Late registration attracts a penalty charge of 50 Euros. The host Federation will thereafter
reserve the right to accept or reject any player.
Players who arrive unannounced will cover all their costs.
16. Organizers Contacts
The Tournament Committee for the 2016 Zone 4.4 individual chess championships will be as follows:
Chairman : Philip ameku
                Mobile - +233 243913047
               E-mail : philipameku@gmail.com
Tournament director :Ambrose Amexo
                        Mobile :+233 244822479
                         Email- aamexo@yahoo.com
Tournament secretary - Christine Ashley
                              Mobile + 233 208115438
                    Email - sliss143@yahoo.com

17. Zone 4.4 Countries
Countries affiliated to FIDE Zone 4.4 are:

1. BURKINA FASO
2. CAMEROON
3. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
4. COTE D’IVOIRE
5. GABON
6. GAMBIA
7. GHANA
8. NIGERIA
9. SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
10. SIERRA LEONE
11. TOGO
12.LIBERIA
We look forward to hosting all of you in our beautiful capital,Accra for a feast of exciting chess games.

Yours in Chess,
GHANA CHESS ASSOCIATION