In 2021 this event will be held online, but if it proves possible to run such an event in a live venue, we will do so and have a hybrid congress, with some playing live and others online.
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.
On Friday each pair can choose whether to play in sessions 1&2 or 2&3. This change from the earlier format allows for greater security as at no point are the two different groups playing the same boards at different times.
You can still choose on Friday whether to start early-afternoon (if you want the evening free), or mid-afternoon (if you have lunchtime commitments) - though please notify us in advance at what time you will be starting (if you don't we will assume the later start).
On Saturday all players will play in all three sessions.
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.
Jack High Swiss Pairs - this competition 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.
In order to qualify to play in this event, you must have an NGS of no higher than ‘Jack’ at the time of entering. We envisage that at the lower end, players will be ‘7’ or higher. The event will be stratified too so that there are extra Master Points and an extra prize available for pairs of players both ranked ‘9’ or lower.
We reserve the right to decline entries from those who may meet the NGS requirements, but have significant tournament experience and are not among the 'congress-novices' at whom the event is aimed.
The format will be six 6-board matches with a break after three matches.
This competition is priced at a discounted rated to encourage new participants to congress bridge.
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.
Congress Prices
The prices for our online congresses and competitions are significantly lower than they would have been face to face (about 20% less), but reflect the fact that green-pointed events always attract a premium.
We have been working hard to keep bridge going since last March, but with no end to the pandemic expected soon, we also need to work hard to keep the EBU going. Despite taking advantage of all government support that has been available, making a number of staff redundant and cutting costs everywhere we can, we are still using our reserves at an unsustainable rate. With the furlough scheme coming to an end this will only get worse.
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 online congresses and major competitions.
Holders
2019
Championships Pairs - Simon Gillis & Erik Saelensminde
Swiss Teams - Jack Mizel, Brian Senior, Ingar Hansen, Tore Marskar
Swiss Pairs - Heather Bakhshi & David Bakhshi
Jack High Swiss Pairs - Alistair Brown & Terry Dillon
Please note this event was not held in 2020 due to covid.
Timetable
Day | Description | |
|---|---|---|
Friday | 11.30am - 1.45pm | Championship Pairs, session 1 * (see below) |
2.00pm - 4.15pm | Championship Pairs, session 2 | |
4.30pm - 6.45pm | Championship Pairs, session 3 * (see below) | |
* - You choose whether to play sessions 1&2, or 2&3 | ||
Saturday | 11.30am - 1.45pm | Championship Pairs, session 4 |
3.00pm - 5.15pm | Championship Pairs, session 5 | |
5.30pm - 7.45pm | Championship Pairs, session 6 | |
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) |
11.30am - 2.15pm | Jack High Swiss Pairs 1 (three x 6-board matches) | |
3.15pm - 6.00pm | Jack High Swiss Pairs 2 (three x 6-board matches) | |
3.30pm - 7.30pm | Swiss Pairs 2 (four x 7-board matches) |
Entry Fees
(A) | Full Congress | £152 |
(B) | Championship Pairs | £70 |
(C) | Swiss Teams | £47 |
(D) | Swiss Pairs | £49 |
(E) | Jack High Swiss Pairs | £26 |
(F) | Championship Pairs plus Teams | £108 |
(G) | Both Pairs | £110 |
(H) | Both Swiss | £90 |
Master Points
Championship Pairs: Green Points to the top half of the field within each stratification.
Swiss Pairs, Jack High Swiss Pairs and Swiss Teams: fully Green Pointed.
Agreements
Level 4 agreements are permitted in all of the main congress events.
Level 2 agreements are permitted in the Jack High Swiss Pairs.
Venue and Tariff
In 2021 this event will be held online, but if it proves possible to run such an event in a live venue, we will do so and have a hybrid congress, with some playing live and others online.