ACO 2023 World Senior (50+) Chess Championship

In European countries there are usual direct flights to Crete or Kos. If there is no direct flight from your airport, you can fly to Crete with a stopover in Athens or Thessaloniki. If you decide to attend the World Chess Championships on Kos, we recommend a stopover in Athens. In addition, we will assist you free of charge with all questions regarding the best flight. Feel free to contact us if you need further assistance with your flight booking - we are always ready to help! Insider tip: For your own flight search, we recommend https://flights.idealo.com/

Depending on the tournament, in Crete or in Kos, the transfer to the airport differs:Transfer from Heraklion airport on Crete: The hotel is located 25 minutes from the airport. Transfer from Kos airport on Kos island:The hotel is located just 15 minutes from the airport.

We are a chess family and our chess tournaments are true journeys of experience. We fill up with the same energy from the sun, we dine together and provide the same conditions. To create the fullest experience, all players and accompanying persons stay in the official hotel where the chess events will also take place. All bookings must be made directly through ACO.

You are welcome to add extra days before or after the tournament at the same hotels conditions and services included as during the tournament. The prices depend on the type of room you choose. Sometimes it is cheaper to book extra nights in exchange for better or cheaper flight connections. Tip: When registering via the online form, the costs for extra nights will be calculated and displayed automatically. Extra nights do not have to be specified directly when registering, but can also be booked at a later date. Contact us for this purpose by E-Mail to contact@amateurchess.com

Hotel cancellation policy for events on Crete (5-star Fodele Beach Resort):
You can cancel your hotel booking free of charge up to 3 days prior to your arrival.
There is no deposit payment, and you pay the full price upon your check-in.

Hotel cancellation policy for events on Kos (5-star Atlantica Belvedere Resort):
‍You can cancel your hotel booking free of charge up to 14 days prior to your arrival.
Afterwards, you are required to pay a 20% deposit payment. The remaining 80% must be paid upon check-in.

Free hotel cancellation in case of Covid
‍If you test positive for Covid in the days after the free cancellation period, you may cancel your booking free of charge upon presentation of proof of your positive test.

Full refund of your tournament starting fee
In the event that you need to cancel your participation in the tournament, you will receive a 100% refund of your entry fee, regardless of the timing.

Our goal is for each player to play only against opponents of a similar level. The rating number at the time of registration applies. For the grouping, the higher rating number is valid for players with an international rating (ELO) and a national rating.

The tournament will be played in the following 7 rating groups:

Group A: 2201+
Group B: 2001 - 2200
Group C: 1801 - 2000
Group D: 1601 - 1800
Group E: 1401 - 1600
Group F: 1201 - 1400
Group G: 0 (without rating) - 1200

Players who do not have a national or international rating can only participate in group G (Rating 0-1200)

We have separate support teams to provide you with the best advice on every concern:
ACO World Amateur Chess Championship: amateur@amateurchess.com
ACO World Senior (50+) Chess Championship: senior@amateurchess.com
ACO World Super Senior (65+) Chess Championship: supersenior@amateurchess.com