• 2025 Northumbria Masters Chess Congress

    20-25 August
    Dolphin Centre, Darlington

  • 1st Darlington ChessFest

    Horsemarket Square, Darlington
    Sunday 24 August 2025
    3pm-7pm
    Free Entry!

Welcome to the 2025 Northumbria Masters!

A message from Tim Wall, the Congress Director

Dear Chess Friends,


You are very welcome to take part in the 2025 Northumbria Masters Chess Congress, held at Darlington’s Dolphin Centre from Wednesday August 20th to Monday August 25th as part of the 1st DARLINGTON CHESSFEST.

Entries are invited for the three following FIDE-rated 9-round Swiss tournaments:

OPEN

Prize Fund: £3,050

Eligible for title norms. A minimum of 5 International Masters and/or Grandmasters will take part in this tournament, to provide opportunities for title norms.

CHALLENGERS

Prize Fund: £1,175

For players rated under 2000 FIDE or no FIDE rating.

MAJOR

Prize Fund: £900

For players rated under 1700 FIDE or no FIDE rating.

IM INVITATIONAL

Expressions of interest from players rated 2250+ FIDE are also welcome for the IM INVITATIONAL ROUND ROBIN (10 players).

Seven norm seekers will join three International Masters for an all-play-all tournament.

Players scoring the required number of points will make an IM norm. To apply to enter the IM INVITATIONAL, please write in confidence to: info@northumbriamasters.com.

Please check the Event Information page for more details about the tournaments and the playing schedule.

1st DARLINGTON CHESSFEST!

This year, our Chess Congress will be accompanied by another fantastic event – the first Darlington ChessFest – chess fun & games for all in the Marquee on Darlington’s Horse Market Square.

Everyone is welcome to take part in the 1st Darlington ChessFest, run in cooperation with Chess in Schools and Communities.

The festival will take place on Sunday afternoon (24th August, 3pm – 7pm) in the Marquee on Darlington’s Horse Market Square, and will include Fun Blitz Games, Master Simultaneous Displays & Live Chess Performances with People as Pieces!

For full information, contact Darlington ChessFest organiser Tim Wall at: info@northumbriamasters.com or call/text: 0750 372 2366

You can also find the details and full schedule in our news article.

Side Events

There will be several side events, including a pub quiz (Thursday 21st August, 8pm – 10pm), FIDE-rated blitz (Friday 22nd August, 8pm – 10pm), Fun Pairs blitz (Saturday 23rd August, 8pm – 10pm), and one-day ECF-rated Junior Blitz Tournament (Sunday 24th August, 10am – 2pm).



I look forward to welcoming you to the 2025 Northumbria Masters Chess Congress and 1st Darlington ChessFest.

Yours sincerely,

Tim Wall

Director
Darlington Chess Festival & Northumbria Masters Chess Congress