Many friends often ask me about Greek tournaments. Last year I tried to make a guide for Greek chess open tournaments but I didn’t manage to complete it before I left my pc to complete my military service. And actually I have not personal experience for all the greek tournaments except 3. (Summer Cup, Kavala & Nikea).
The last 2 years I am the chief arbiter of “Summer Cup “. Usually in a place that I go 2 times, 2nd I believe that was worst than first. But not in Porto Carras hotel. I like this tournament not only because is a quiet chess tournament that players have everything to play good games (silence, room between boards) and that makes it an easy job for the chief arbiter (almost no complaints) but also because of the place. 5 star hotel next to Neos Marmaras that has a real exciting night life, and beautiful beaches.
So if someone asks me about a tournament that he would the best conditions I am sure is “Summer cup “.
Of course there always some disadvantages, summer cup has no sponsors so it does not invite any player. But this makes easier for strong players that everywhere pay to go for the 1st prize that is 1000€. Last year won FM Antonis Hadzimanolis and this year GM Trajko Nedev won the first prize almost easily. So even for GM maybe is a good tournament that will give them more money that other with too strong competition.
