On behalf of the MGI team, I’m proud and excited to announce the details of MindGames Premier Championship (MPC 2019). As is customary, the event will feature both scrabble and chess.

With the intent of building on the success of MPC 2018, we are making a few changes this year in order to make the championship more inclusive. This year, the qualifying events will have 3 rating classes within a single category with separate class prizes. Prizes for the qualifying events and the Grand Finale have also been increased by almost over 2 MILLION NAIRA for both scrabble and chess. It is also important to note that the qualifying events for chess will be RAPID and the Grand Finale event will be CLASSICAL over 3 days.

Fully paid up members of CPAN will also enjoy a rebate of 20% of the registration fee. Thanks to CPAN executives for their magnanimity in supporting the MPC events.

The structure and format for MPC 2019 are highlighted below;


QUALIFYING EVENTS
• Each qualifying event will be single category with two classes to accommodate lower ranked players – ELO rating cut-off to be determined and communicated
• Separate prize distributions for the 2 classes provided we have at least 50 registered players
• There will be 4 qualifying events to be held in Port Harcourt, Enugu, Lagos and Kano.
• The qualifying events with be RAPID
• All qualifying events will adopt a uniform format for scrabble and chess respectively
• The top 8 finishers from each qualifying tournament will qualify to participate in the MPC 2019 GRAND FINALE
• Best overall performer (1801-2000 ELO rating band) who hasn’t qualified already at the end of all qualifiers will be invited for the MPC Grand Finale
• Best overall performer (0 – 1800 ELO rating band) who hasn’t qualified already at the end of all qualifiers will be invited for the MPC Grand Finale
• Top female finisher at each qualifier will also qualify to participate in the Grand Finale event. (If a female player finishes in the top 8, the slot goes to the next in line)
• 2 wildcards each will automatically be awarded to the partner clubs hosting the qualifying event and the Grand Finale
• Already qualified players will be exempted from taking further parts in the qualifying events
• Foreign-based international players including Nigerian chess players in diaspora will be eligible to participate in the MPC Grand Finale (Number MAY be capped)


GRAND FINALE
• The Grand Finale will be an exclusive event for all the eligible players and wildcard awardees
• The Grand Finale event will be CLASSICAL
• Tie-break will be deployed to determine sole winner at the Grand Finale
• All qualifiers for the Grand Finale will play in a single category
• The venue for the Grand Finale remains the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja

SAVE THE DATES
• MPC2019 SERIES 1: April 14, 2019 – Port Harcourt
• MPC2019 SERIES 2: June 16, 2019 – Enugu
• MPC2019 SERIES 3: August 11, 2019 – Lagos
• MPC2019 SERIES 4: October 06, 2019 – Kano
• GRAND FINALE: November 22 – 24, 2019 – Lagos Country Club, Ikeja


Full details of the venues will be released very soon. Please note that scrabble qualifiers shall take place on the day preceding the chess event at each location.

FORMAT (QUALIFYING SERIES)
• Rounds: 8
• Time Control: 20 minutes + 10 secs
• Rules: FIDE
• Ratings: FIDE-rated
• Event Type: RAPID VERSION
• Pairings: Swiss Manager
• Chief Arbiter: Boyo Paul Kehinde

FORMAT (GRAND FINALE)
• Rounds: 9
• Time Control: 60 minutes FLAT/Player
• Event Type: CLASSICAL
• Rules: FIDE
• Ratings: FIDE-rated
• Pairings: Swiss Manager
• Chief Arbiter: Boyo Paul Kehinde
• Asst. Arbiter: Olawale Oyeleye



PRIZES
• The total cash prize for MPC 2019 is a whopping 7 MILLION NAIRA approximately
• Top prize for class A (Over 2001 ELO) at each qualifying event will be N100,000
• Top prize for class B (1801 – 2000 ELO) at each qualifying event will be N60,000
• Top prize for class C (0-1800 ELO) at each qualifying event will be N30,000
• Star prize for the MPC 2019 Grand Finale will be N600,000 for chess and scrabble
• Product/material prizes worth over N200,000 to be awarded at the Grand Finale
(See following post for full breakdown of prizes)

Please note that in a situation where there are less than 50 registered players at any of the qualifying events, class prizes MAY be scrapped and prizes awarded to 12 participants overall. However, the number of qualifiers from the event shall remain 9.


SPONSORS/PARTNERS
We would like to sincerely thank the following sponsors for their continued support toward the success of MPC and the MGI brand. We deeply appreciate your unwavering belief in the vision of MindGames Incorporated.

• Front Page Couture – FPC
• Airpop Foods Ltd
• Panseke Radio
• Lagos Country Club
• CPAN
• Nigeria Chess Federation


Registration for all qualifiers will commence on April 01, 2019. Please note that registration will close approximately 48 hours before the start of each qualifier. More information about MindGames Premier Championship - MPC 2019 will be available on our website - www.mindgamesincorporated.com as soon as possible.

Please follow us on our social media platforms - Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can help promote the events by sharing, hash-tagging, tweeting and retweeting.

All enquiries/feedback to be directed to us via info@mindgamesincorporated.com.

If you would like to support our event in any way or form, please contact us via info@mindgamesincorporated.com or reach out to me directly on +353 83 841 9666 (WhatsApp only).

Every little counts!

Be Informed. Be Prepared. Be Victorious.