The Malta Chess Federation has announced its calendar of events for 2016.
The Maltco Championship cycle, consisting of three tournaments, kicks off with the Preliminaries on February 25.
This seven-round tournament is open to all those rated below 1800 and games will be held twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays.
The second phase – the Candidates tournament (also sevens rounds) – starts on July 11.
The top four players qualify to the Championship Finals. They will be joined by Malta champion Colin Pace and second-seeded Joseph Gauci.
The finals will be played between October 15 and 27.
This year’s Junior Championship, which also determines the U-16 and U-18 winners, will take place between July 1-3. The U-14 Championship will be staged in November.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed that a series of U-16 Rapid Tournaments will be held in various schools every two months.
Also, a seven-round Open tournament – the Harry Camilleri Memorial – will be played over seven weekends, starting in April.
This year the 42nd World Chess Olympiads will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan (September 17-30). The MCF intends to send a men and women team to participate.
For more details, send an email to info@chessmalta.com or join the Chess in Malta page on Facebook.