The World Youth Championships will take place at Caldas Novas, Brazil from November 17th to 27th 2011.

The Executive Board Meeting in Krakow considered whether the schedule for this year’s World Youth Championships should be amended. The change of venue from Rio de Janeiro to Caldas Novas has meant that there are only nine possible playing days. The inspection team recommended that the playing schedule be reduced to nine rounds with a double round day for the 3rd and 4th rounds followed by a rest day. This was accepted by the Executive Board.

Events such as the World Youth Championships are not only chess events but an opportunity for the participants and accompanying persons to experience the cultural side of the country that they are visiting. This is likely to be the first visit to Brazil by the majority. This is the reason that it was recommended to keep the free day that has been included in past events and is part of the regulations. A full programme of excursions will be offered to all participants on this free day and also for those interested on other days.

Caldas Novas is a resort town of hot springs with many hotels, at least six of which will be used for the Youth Championships. The town is a drive of just over 2 hours from the nearest airport, Goiania and about three hours drive from the capital, Brasilia. There are many flights each day to Goiania from such places as Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Brasilia has direct flight links with several countries, including the USA, Columbia, Peru and Portugal.

Participants will be met at the two main airports and transported to their hotel. All the hotels are within walking distance of the playing venue although there will be bus transportation for one hotel that is a little further away than the others. Five of the hotels belong to one group and offer free internet, full board plus swimming pools and free access to the local Water Park. The economy hotel is without these facilities and only offers breakfast.