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ALL-STARS 2003: Information for Players

Please check this web page for updates as the event draws nearer.

Schedule

You should make travel plans so that you will arrive in time for player registration, which will take place on the evening of Friday, August 15th, at the Biltmore Hotel at 11 Dorrance Street, Providence, RI 02903 (401-421-0700), between 8:00 P.M. and 10:00 P.M. If you cannot arrive in time for registration, please contact the NSA office to make alternate registration arrangements. If you are delayed en route or your travel plans change after Thursday, August 14th, please leave a message at the Biltmore Hotel for (tournament director) Charlie Southwell.

We will reserve a room for you at the Biltmore for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. If you would like to stay longer than that at your own expense, please phone or e-mail us and we will be happy to extend your reservation.

All tournament games, breakfast and lunch (which will be provided) will be at the Rhode Island Convention Center at One Sabin Street, Providence, RI 02903. If you were at the 2000 Nationals, you should remember both the Biltmore (the host hotel of the NSC) and the RICC (where the NSC was held, three blocks away). The RICC Rotunda (see photo), where meals will be served, is the hall where NSC registration took place.

You should be prepared to stay until 2:00 P.M. on Monday, August 18th if you do not make the finals, or 6:00 P.M. if you do make the finals or want to watch them on closed-circuit television.

Please see the detailed schedule for more detailed information.

Equipment

Please bring your own Protiles, tile bags and chess clocks. We will provide boards and racks, and reserve the right to supply all equipment used in the finals.

Telecast Rules

Because this championship is being telecast, you may be asked to sign a relase upon arrival that will say, among other things, that:

1. The winner and runner-up will make himself/herself available for publicity appearances after the event.

2. The NSA has the right to remove at its discretion, or upon request from the network or sponsors, any player from the tournament at any time for cheating, inappropriate behavior or unsportsmanlike conduct.

We will also require more detailed biographical information than usual. If you have not already done so, please complete the on-line bio form.

Finally, there are certain words which cannot be spoken or displayed on television. They are against the law and FCC regulations. The following rule will therefore apply during the finals (but not during the 18 preliminary rounds): "Either player may ask the Director if a word is considered offensive. The Director will consult with a person qualified to give a second opinion and reply either 'This is an offensive term.' or 'This is not an offensive term.' Game timers will not be stopped for a query."

Directions

Here are directions to the Biltmore, from their web site.

Heading North or South on Interstate 95:

• Take Exit 22, towards DOWNTOWN/PROVIDENCE, RI
• At the end of the exit ramp continue straight at the light onto Memorial Boulevard
• At the next light, turn right onto Exchange Street
• Take the next available right onto Exchange Terrace
• Take the first left onto Dorrance Street, which passes directly in front of the hotel

Heading West on Interstate 195:

• Take Interstate 195 to I-95 and bear right on I-95 North
• Take Exit 22, towards DOWNTOWN/PROVIDENCE, RI
• At the end of the exit ramp continue straight at the light onto Memorial Boulevard
• At the next light, turn right onto Exchange Street
• Take the next available right onto Exchange Terrace
• Take the first left onto Dorrance Street, which passes directly in front of the hotel

Heading East on Route 6 or 10:

• Take the DOWNTOWN/PROVIDENCE Exit, and bear to your right
• Following the signs for DOWNTOWN/PROVIDENCE, continue through the first light (Memorial Boulevard)
• At the next light, turn right onto Exchange Street
• Take the next available right onto Exchange Terrace
• At the first light, bear left onto Dorrance Street, which runs directly in front of the Providence Biltmore Hotel.

The hotel is 18 stories high, made of red brick and says BILTMORE in large red letters on our roof. In case you have any questions or problems, feel free to contact the hotel directly at (401) 421-0700 or (800) 294-7709.

Parking:

A privately owned and operated parking garage is located adjacent to the Hotel and they are connected by a walkway located on the second level. To get to the garage, pass the hotel and take the first right, the garage is immediatly on the right. Currently, overnight guests are charged $16.00 per night, per car for either valet or self-park. Non-registered guests are charged hourly fees. All prices are subject without notice.

To get to the RICC from the Biltmore, step out onto Dorrance Street, turn left, walk two blocks and you should see a large, modern conference center across a complicated seven-street intersection.

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