Venue TBC, 7th - 10th April 2023
Event format
Championship Pairs The Championship Pairs is a ‘stratified’ event scored across the field. Each pair will play in five sessions of 18 boards, making a total of 90 boards: two sessions on Friday, with an early finish, and three on Saturday. For those who want to carry on playing on Friday evening there will be a free casual game available. See below for the session times.
Prizes and Master Points awarded in three categories: below Premier Regional Master, below Premier Life Master & Open.
The Championships Pairs is part of the Championship Series, in which points can be earned towards the Player of the Year Championship.
The Swiss Teams on Sunday is a two-session event with seven 7-board matches in all. The event is now also a stratified event.
Monday
Monday offers two options:
Swiss Pairs - open to all with seven 7-board matches.
9 High Swiss Pairs - Unfortunately, due to lack of numbers, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 9-High events. However there will still be an online 9-High Pairs run by Kent CBA, see below for details. Email notifications have been sent to those members affected and full refunds will be given.
Sunday
9 High Improvers Pairs Online - will be held on BBO and run by Kent CBA. It will be open to players who are NGS 9 & below on Saturday 8th April. This event is aimed at club players who are interested in taking the first steps into congress bridge but who may have found it daunting to jump straight into a major congress event.
The format will be two 18 board sessions with a break between the sessions. Players can play in either or both sessions. 10% of entry fees will be given as prizes in BBO$. Enter with Kent CBA here.
To enter
The easiest way to enter is online through My EBU. Log-in and select 'Book Events' from the Utilities menu. You can also call 01296 317203 or email comps@ebu.co.uk
Entry to the 9 High Improvers Pairs Online should be made direct with Kent CBA, here.
Congress Prices
The prices for our face-to-face congresses and competitions remain about the same as they were before the pandemic started, which reflects the fact that major green-pointed events always attract a premium.
We have worked hard to keep bridge going since the start of the pandemic, but with it still affecting everything we need to continue to work hard to keep the EBU going financially. Although we took advantage of all government support that we were entitled to, made a number of staff redundant and cut costs everywhere we could, we still need to carry on taking care to avoid using our reserves at an unsustainable rate. With the furlough scheme having ended this has become even more difficult.
Competitions are one way of raising the money necessary for the EBU's survival and we will be following this pricing strategy for all our congresses and major competitions.
Holders
2022
Championships Pairs - Thor Hoftaniska & Svein Olsen
Swiss Teams - Peter Crouch, Zia Mahmood, Simon Gillis & Erik Sælensminde
Swiss Pairs - Louise Selway & Norman Selway
KCBA / EBU Easter Improvers Pairs - Louise Selway & Norman Selway
| Day | Times | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | 1.00pm - 5.45pm | Championship Pairs, session 1 |
| 7.15pm - 9.30pm | Open Pairs (free) | |
| Saturday | 11.30am - 2.30pm | Championship Pairs, session 2 |
| 3.15pm - 7.15pm | Championship Pairs, session 3 | |
| Sunday | 11.30am - 2.30pm | Stratified Swiss Teams 1 (three x 7-board matches) |
| 3.30pm - 7.30pm | Stratified Swiss Teams 2 (four x 7-board matches) | |
| Monday | 11.30am - 2.30pm | Swiss Pairs 1 (three x 7-board matches) |
| 3.30pm - 7.30pm | Swiss Pairs 2 (four x 7-board matches) |
| Event | Price per player |
|---|---|
| Full Congress | £152 |
| Championship Pairs | £70 |
| Swiss Teams | £47 |
| Swiss Pairs | £49 |
| Champ Pairs + Teams | £108 |
| Both Pairs | £110 |
| Both Swiss | £90 |
| 9 High Improvers Pairs online | BBO $5 per session |
Master Points
Championship Pairs: Green Points to the top half of the field within each stratification. Swiss Pairs and Swiss Teams: fully Green Pointed.
9 High events will be Blue Pointed
Agreements
Level 4 agreements are permitted in all of the main congress events and the 9 High Improvers Pairs online.
Level 2 agreements are permitted in the 9 High Swiss Pairs.
Venue and Tariff
The venue for 2023 is still to be confirmed, further details will be made available as soon as possible.
Parking and Travel Information
Travel
Players should be aware that Easter is a common occasion for engineering work on rail and tube lines. Please allow plenty of time for travel to the venue, and see the Transport for London and National Rail websites for further information.
Previous Winners
2021
Did not take place in 2020 due to Covid-19
2019 results
2018 results
2017 results
2016 results
2015 results
2014 results
2013 results
2012 results
2011 results
2010 results
2009 results
2008 results
2007 results
Easter Festival Pairs - the history
Easter Festival Teams for the Rixi Markus Cup - the history
Under 21 Championship Pairs - the history
Find a partner/team mates
If you are looking for a partner or team mates for this congress, please email comps@ebu.co.uk