2019 Smiths Falls Open- August 17-18 2019

3rd Annual Smiths Falls Open
An EOCA Grand Prix Event
The opening event of the 2019-2020 Eastern Ontario Grand Prix takes place at the Smiths Falls Curling and Squash Club, in the middle of sensational Smiths Falls. Enjoy a weekend of chess in a town with a rich history, situated about halfway between Kingston and Ottawa, on the historic Rideau Canal. Between rounds you could visit the Heritage House Museum (next door), The Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario, or enjoy a walk along the Rideau Canal and adjacent parks.
Event Date: Saturday August 17 to Sunday August 18, 2019.
Place: Smiths Falls Curling and Squash Club, 13 Old Sly’s Road, Smiths Falls, Ontario, K7A 4S9. There is plenty of free parking on-site.
Type: Regular Swiss Open, pairings in Open Section and an U1600 Section.
A Word on Sections: Players must have a CFC rating below 1600 at the time of the tournament (or be unrated CFC, FQE, USCF and FIDE) to play in the U1600 section, otherwise they play in the Open Section. For players with no CFC rating but with a FQE, FIDE, or USCF rating, I will take the higher of these ratings, for which section you go into. Players with a CFC rating between 1500-1599 may play in the Open Section if they explicitly indicate this to me prior to Round 1 – and pay an additional $20 play-up fee – otherwise they will be paired in the U1600 section. Players below 1500 must play in the U1600 Section.
Rounds: 5 rounds — Saturday @ 9am, 2pm and 7pm; Sunday @ 9am and 2pm.
Time Control: Game in 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move, starting from Move 1. The default time shall be 30 minutes after white’s clock has been started (i.e. if one player has not arrived at the board, within 30 minutes after white’s clock has been started, they shall be considered to have forfeited the game to their opponent). This will apply to all rounds, except Round 1, where the default time shall be 60 minutes.
Prizes: Will be paying 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in both sections, with $1000 minimum first prize in Open Section, and $500 minimum first prize in U1600 Section, assuming we get 50 or more paid entries overall. There will also be an U1900 Class Prize in the Open Section – which will be awarded to the player(s) with the highest score in this section with a CFC rating below 1900 (as of August 17, 2019). Other class prize(s) could be added to those above but will be based on entries.
Entry Fee: $60 if pre-registered, $70 at site. Amateur entry is $30. Cash ONLY (E-transfers beforehand to jsztukachess at gmail dot com are also fine). Amateur entrants are not eligible for cash prizes. Free entry for GMs/WGMs, IMs/WIMs & FMs/WFMs, if pre-registered by July 25, 2019.
CFC or FQE membership is required. If you do not have a regular CFC membership, Tournament Memberships will be available for $20. All games will be CFC rated.
Other Discounts: If entry fee is paid in full by July 1, 2019 – can subtract $10 (i.e. pay $50 instead of $60). If you are a National Master (NM) and pay the registration fee in full by July 1, 2019 – can subtract an additional $10 (i.e. pay $40 instead of $60). Discounts do NOT apply to amateur entrants - they still pay $30 in any case.
Equipment: A limited number of clocks and sets will be provided, so please bring your own equipment if possible.
Requesting byes: A maximum of two ½ point byes can be given in the first three rounds, which must be requested before Round 1.
Organizer: Jeremy Sztuka​Tournament Director: Jeremy Sztuka

Registration options:
1. Register in person at the RA Chess Club, August 1, August 8, or August 15, from 7:00-7:30 PM. I will be at the RA most but not all the other Thursday evenings prior to August 1 additionally
2. Send an email to jsztukachess at gmail dot com. Please note in your email if any byes will be needed (or not).
3. Register on-site on Saturday August 17th between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM.

Please note regarding all 3 Options above – to finalise registration, payment of entry fee (cash) is due by 8:30am on August 17 to ensure eligibility for a pairing in Round 1. Alternatively, email-money transfers are okay instead of cash. No cheques.
About the Venue: The room at the Curling Club has ample space to seat over 120 players, including air conditioning. It is much larger than the Lions Club (the venue in past years). There will also be a skittles room with a few tables and chairs set up for players to do post-game analysis if they wish. Coffee, tea, and bottled water will be available to all players. I will be supplying some cookies additionally - as in past years.
Additional Information
Directions from Ottawa: Follow the 417 West to exit 145, Highway 7. Take Highway 7 into Carleton Place, go straight through first light, turn left at second light on to Highway 15 (just past Esso on left hand side). Stay on Highway 15 until get into Smiths Falls (about 27km). When you get to the end you will have the option to turn left or right – turn right. Stay on about 0.5km until get to a traffic light. Turn left at this light, which will take you on Elmsley Street North. Go about 400 meters and will get another traffic light – go straight another 900 meters or so and will get to another traffic light – continue to go straight. Go another 850 meters and will get to yet another traffic light. Turn right at this light on to Old Sly’s Road and go about 500 meters or ½ km. Venue will be on the left right next to the Heritage House Museum. You will likely notice the Rideau River and then Lower Reach Park to your right-hand side as well.

Directions from Kingston: Take Highway 15 North (from 401 exit) 84km – you will come to traffic lights to turn on to Golf Club Road (turn right) – go 4.8km down this road, where you will come to traffic lights. Go straight – the name of the road changes to Eric Hutcheson Road. Go 1.7km down this road, to the end, and turn left on to Jasper Avenue and go 1.0km where you will get to a stop sign. Turn right on to Old Sly’s Road, and the venue will be 250 meters (or ¼ km) on your right-hand side.

Where to Stay:
➢ I recommend booking the Econolodge in town, approximately a 5 minute drive away (or 25 minute walk), phone # 613-283-5150 and their website is: http://www.choicehotels.ca/en/econo-...ls-hotel-cn454
➢ There are other various smaller motels available as well
*I would recommend booking a hotel sooner rather than later as during the summer they tend to fill up fast!

Where to Eat:
➢ I highly recommend Matty O’Shea’s (Irish) Pub for lunch and/or supper. They are located at 12 Chambers Street in Smiths Falls. They are open every day of the week except Sunday.
➢ For breakfast and/or brunch I recommend Perfect Thyming. They are located at 10 Chambers Street in Smiths Falls. They are open every day of the week from approximately 7:30am until approximately 1:30pm.
➢ Smiths Falls also has an assortment of fast food outlets such as 2 Subways, 2 Tim Hortons locations, a Harvey’s, Dairy Queen, Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, and McDonald’s.