VI Torneo Internacional-Jose De Diego-Aguadilla, PR

Running Chess Tournaments
1

I am a member of the board of Directors of the Puerto Rico Chess Federation (FAPR) I will appreciate your help diffusing the information about this tournament among your members, I might understand that it is a small prize tournament but we are trying to increase the level of International tournaments in Puerto Rico.

Organizer/TD: Punta Borinquén Chess Club
– Omar Añeses, Esq. 787-590-5425 Email: aneses@yahoo.com

When: Friday, April 17 to Sunday, April 19

5 rounds: Friday @ 8:00 pm, Saturday @ 10:00 am & 3pm, Sunday @ 10:00am & 3:00pm

Time Control: 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move

Where: Centro de Capacitación Deportiva y Recreativa (CECADER),
Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (free parking)

[i]Aguadilla is known as the “Garden of the Atlantic.” The name comes from the colorful sponges and marine life prevalent in this area. It is also internationally known for its world-class surfing beaches.

As you approach the town from the east on Rt 2, you pass the exit for the airport. If you take this exit (Rt 110), you come to the Rafael Hernández Airport at the converted Ramey Air Force Base. Now a major civilian airport, it features the longest runways in the Caribbean and services an expanding amount of commercial, private, charter and cargo traffic.

The 18-hole Punta Borinquen Golf Course, which was designed for President Eisenhower, is open to the public and features holes that run right along the cliff on the water’s edge. Spectacular sunsets may be seen from El Miradero, a lookout point on Rt 2, and El Parterre, a legendary park on Muñoz Rivera St.[/i]

Sections & Prizes: All sections rated the Puerto Rico Chess Federation (FAPR)
Open section also rated FIDE
All players ranked by highest current FIDE/FAPR/CFC/USCF

Guaranteed Prize Fund $5,000.00

Open section: Open (FIDE): $1,000; $500; $300; $150; $150 y $150
(U1800): $800; $400; $200; $150; $150 y $150
(U1400): $400; $200; $75; $75; $75 y $75
(U1000)/Unrated: Trophies (1-3) & non metallic

Registration & Payment: Please register by email at earliest convenience! -payment can follow (required before pairings)

Mail: Check to “PBCC” @ PO BOX 841 AGUADILLA, PUERTO RICO 00605
(Please include email address for payment receipt confirmation)

Entry Fees: Free for GM, IM, FM & WGM, WIM, WFM (entry fee will be deducted from prize)
Membership for the Puerto Chess Federation (FAPR) required
Open & (U1800): $50 before April 2, 2009; $60 after
(U1400) $25 before April 2, 2009; $30 after
(U1000) $5 before April 2, 2009; $10 after

Hotels: Discounted room rates (see below)
Free Lodging - limited, so reserve early! At sport facilities (CECADER )

Area Hotels:

Courtyard by Marriott Aguadilla ($174.00) average price
marriott.com/hotels/travel/b … aguadilla/
West Parade/Belt Road, Ramey Base
Aguadilla, 00603 Puerto Rico
Phone: 1 (787) 658-8000 Fax: 1(787) 658-8020

El Pedregal Hotel ($105.00) average price
hotelelpedregal.com/index.html
Cuesta Nueva Aguadilla PR 111 Km 0.1
Aguadilla, 00603 Puerto Rico
Phone: 1( 787) 882-2865 / 2875

El Faro in Aguadilla ($84.00) average price
Road 107 Kilometer 21, Ramey Base
Aguadilla, PR Puerto Rico
Phone : 1 (787) 882-8000 Fax: 1 (787) 891-3110

Aguadilla Airport:

Rafael Hernández - The longest runways in the Caribbean
North of Rt 2 on Rt 110 between Aguadilla & Isabela
Aguadilla, PR
Phone: 1(787) 890-6075 / (787)-891-2286 Fax: 1 (787) 890-5277

Airline Reservations: 

Continental Airlines  Phone:  1 (877) 499-5039 Fax: (787) 890-2993 [continental.com](http://www.continental.com)
JetBlue Airways Pnone: 1 (800) 538-2583 / (787) 890-1680 / (787) 253-3300 [jetblue.com](http://www.jetblue.com)
2

Is the tournament USCF rated?

Alex Relyea

3

Not at this point but we are working on the details of the USCF Rating requirements along with the affiliation with Joan DuBois of the U.S. Chess Federation, Director of Communications, Affiliate Relations, TLA’s & Correspondence Chess to obtain full documentation and comprehensive understanding of the USCF requirements for tourney and players reporting, etc.

4

Hmm, sounds like persons who are pursuing the object of playing in a rated chess tournament in all 50 states (see the June 2008 Chess Life cover story main.uschess.org/content/view/8452/462/), will have a chance to add playing in a U.S. Territory, for a guaranteed prize fund…

5

What will take to have US chess players visit Puerto Rico for a chess tourney?
 :question:

6

Free airfare and hotel would be a good start. :laughing: (just kidding)

You need to do more publicity. This forum only reaches a small percentage of USCF members. An ad in Chess Life may generate some response. Also some sort of press release to some of widely read chess blogs. You might also want to contact the organizer of the Bermuda International Open that’s being held next week. The tournament draws many US players, and perhaps they could put some information out about your tournament.

I think Puerto Rico would be a nice play to play chess.

7

Another idea would be to contact the state chess associations where continental U.S. players are most likely to come from (given the availability of Continental Airlines and Jet Blue flights to/from Aguadilla, the Florida Chess Association, the New York State Chess Association and the New Jersey State Chess Federation come to mind).

E.g., they might be willing to add a link on their website to a press release providing tournament details, or some other means of spreading the information.

P.S.: The press release can also mention that U.S. citizens do not need a passport to visit Puerto Rico.

8

I agree with Polly…Puerto Rico would be a cool trip!

The American Airlines website lists about six different airports in Puerto Rico. Which airport (three letter designation) is the “main” location, and what major airlines fly there?

9

I invite you to take some time to explore the tropical island of Puerto Rico, where you can find local exotic hideaways, miles of white sandy beaches, mountains and valleys, and many other natural wonders. In addition to the natural splendors you will find yourself surrounded by warm and friendly people. We will be really glad to establish new friendships and the most important – play chess.

For the Aguadilla Tourney you shall consider travellind directly to Aguadilla the less expensive air fares are provided by:
Aguadilla Airport:

Rafael Hernández - The longest runways in the Caribbean
North of Rt 2 on Rt 110 between Aguadilla & Isabela Aguadilla, PR
Phone: 1(787) 890-6075 / (787)-891-2286 Fax: 1 (787) 890-5277

Airline Reservations:

Continental Airlines Phone: 1 (877) 499-5039 Fax: (787) 890-2993 continental.com

JetBlue Airways Pnone: 1 (800) 538-2583 / (787) 890-1680 / (787) 253-3300 jetblue.com

10

Just few more weeks for the VI Torneo Internacional de Ajedrez de Aguadilla.

Come and travel to Puerto Rico, a Caribbean paradise and start your spring by warming up in the shining star of the Caribbean. US citizens do not need passport or visa to travel to Puerto Rico.

Meet new friends and overall play chess while having a splendid vacation in Puerto Rico

Support El Yunque nomination for the New Natural 7 Wonders!

Combining over 300 miles of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, a large Tropical Rain forest, a Cave System millions of years old, Mountains, and a Dry Forest filled with Cactus, with its progressive economy and modern, charm and warm people, Puerto Rico embraces all visitors…

Welcome to Puerto Rico, the Island of Enchantment.

As one of the oldest and most diversified cultures in the world, Puerto Rico is a vibrant, modern, bilingual, multicultural society, one that has been molded by Spanish, African, Indian and U.S. influences.

21st century conveniences in an alluring 16th historical setting… both ultra-modern and bewitchingly exotic, Puerto Rico is truly the Island of Enchantment.

Come to Puerto Rico and Explore Beyond the Shore.

Geography
Puerto Rico is 100 long by 35 miles wide and as a result of its geographical position in the center of the arc of the Antilles, Puerto Rico is essentially a crossroads of Hispanic and Anglo cultures. Despite it’s very diverse influx of cultures, Puerto Rico has been a part of the United States since 1898 and Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917.

History
Since the first humans came ashore thousands of years ago, the island that is now known as Puerto Rico has sheltered Indians, Spaniards, Africans and Anglos. The Spaniards had the earliest and greatest influence to the Island at their arrival in 1493. During their 400-year tenure the Spaniards laid the bedrock of the language and culture. They built cities and towns, fortresses and churches, lighthouses and roadways. They brought slaves from Africa to work in the fields, who, in turn, contributed the spice of their culture, enriching the language, music and diets.

Culture
Close to 4 million people live on the “Island of Enchantment,” with more than a million in the greater San Juan metropolitan area alone. It is a vibrant, modern, bilingual, multicultural society, one that has been molded by Spanish, African, Indian and U.S. influences. Residents of Puerto Rico have much in common with their fellow Americans in the continental United States, yet they retain a decidedly Hispanic heritage.

Climate
The climate is as close to perfect as it can get, averaging 83°F (22.7°C) in the winter and 85°F (29.4°C) in the summer. In other words, it’s always summer! The trade winds cool the coastal towns and the temperature decreases as you go up into the higher mountains.
Puerto Rico is in the Atlantic Time Zone, but does not observe Daylight Savings Time. The island uses standard U.S. electric current. European appliances require an adapter.

Currency
There are no customs duties on articles bought in Puerto Rico and taken to the U.S. mainland. Major credit cards are accepted at most businesses, and ATMs connected to major US and international networks are easy to find.

Business hours are similar to those on the mainland, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM weekdays (the siesta has pretty much disappeared). Most stores are open Saturdays, and all of the larger towns have shopping malls that are open evenings and Sundays.

11

Um, Puerto Rico is part of the US. So the “US” players would just be “visiting” another part of the US.

Bill Smythe

12

Puerto Rico is part of the US & territories and can vote in presidential primaries, but since it is not a state it is not technically part of the United States. Are the airfare and hotel costs such that it is a relatively cheap chess destination?

How much of a draw is there when a major chess tournament is held in Hawaii? It is a lovely state and I visited a nice chess club there one evening when I was on my honeymoon (my wife suggested it - making her a fantastic chess spouse), but it seems to be more of a vacation destination than a chess destination.

(edited to correct spelling)

13

Why not do both plan a nice vacation with a chess tourney. Hotels are nice and unexpensive.

Let’s just pretend that you are planning your trip to Puerto Rico and ask us for places to visit…

We will respond: Puerto Rico is amazing! One week, not even two weeks are enough to Explore beyond the shore… The Caribbean has a well-deserved reputation as a quiet, laid-back place, where hammocks are more common than discos. But Puerto Ricans, however, truly know how to party, and the nightlife in the island’s bigger cities and resort hotels rivals that of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities!

An in top of that you can play a weekend chess tourney… I dont know… sounds like lots of fun.

The tournament will be held in the the west coast of Puerto Rico, “your door to a fun-filled sun vacation”.

Biking, Bio Bay, bird watching, diving, fishing, hiking, surfing, among many other natural wonders are all possible in Porta del Sol. The West Region is formed by seventeen municipalities: Quebradillas, Isabela, San Sebastián, Moca, Aguadilla, Aguada, Rincón, Añasco, Mayagüez, Las Marías, Maricao, Hormigueros, San Germán, Sábana Grande, Guánica, Lajas and Cabo Rojo.Porta del Sol, is home to some of the world’s best beaches and surfing areas. The beach area starts east of Isabela and continues around the coastline to Cabo Rojo. The town of Rincon, known for its beautiful sunsets, is located in the center of the western coast and was highlighted in The Beach Boys’ unofficial surfer’s anthem “Surfing Safari”. Porta del Sol is also “the destination” to some of the finest seafood in Puerto Rico.

14

Are any U.S. colleges or high schools or elementary schools on spring break then? If so, you might have chess players already vacationing in Puerto Rico.

15

Renew your vows, have a second honeymoon. Whyle you play chess she can do some great things in the area.

Bird Watching, Cabo Rojo

Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge has a variety of birds to identify.
Cabo Rojo

Guánica Dry Forest, Guánica

A World Biosphere Reserve. Cactus, 400 year-old Guayacán tree, bird watching, beaches, picnic and visitors center. You can also visit the Fuerte Caprón and Cuevas de Cal.
Guánica

Bioluminescent Bay, Lajas: La Parguera

Great for a trip on a moonless night. You take one of the many local boats to Bahía La Parguera for a little dinoflagellates watching. Due to their delicate ecology, bioluminescent bays are rare.
La Parguera, Lajas
Fax: 787-884-2927

Channels, Lajas: La Parguera

An area just off the coast of La Parguera where more than 30 mangrove cays and islands form ornate channels. On the weekend, the locals often visit one of the mangrove areas for an impromptu gathering. Go to the dock by the plaza to arrange a trip.
La Parguera, Lajas
Fax: 787-875-5372

Whale Watching, Rincón

Humpback whales may be seen in the winter from the observation park at the Rincón Lighthouse. The peak season is February, though whales have been spotted from late December through late March. Just ask around the marina or the lighthouse. In the peak season you may see them a few hundred meters off the lighthouse.
Rincón
Ph1: 787-823-5024 Fax: 787-823-3240

16

March 18, 2009 article posted in USAToday.com-Travel: “Puerto Rico’s West Coast: Sun, Sand and a Lot of Surf”
usatoday.com/travel/destinat … rico_N.htm