Both FIDE and ICU both recently adjusted their ratings to account for deflation in the system. As a result of the changes made, it no longer makes sense for Kilkenny to run two sections for players with ratings less than 1600. The majority of Irish players now have ratings higher than this. We have decided therefore to amalgamate ‘The Challengers’ and ‘The James Mason Challenge’ sections into one event, to be named ‘The Stars Barred’, for players rated below 1600. ‘The Stars Barred’ prize fund will be a combination of that previously announced for the two original events i.e. €1500. The tournament flyer and the tournament entry page on the ICU website will be immediately adjusted to reflect this change. Entrants in ‘The Challengers’ and ‘The James Mason Challenge’ will now play in ‘The Stars Barred’. We have also decided to add €1000 to the prize fund of ‘The Major’! Signed Maurice Buckley and Jack Lowry, Kilkenny Chess Club 20/10/2024