New Features at 2023 Northumbria Masters

1) A Stronger Northumbria Masters Tournament, With More Title Norm Opportunities

There is now a minimum rating requirement of FIDE 2000 for The Northumbria Masters tournament. This will improve the chances for players seeking GM, IM, WGM and WIM norms, as it will raise the bar for players to enter the tournament and ensure a higher average rating of your opponents.

2) More FIDE-Rated Tournaments

There are now FIDE-rated tournaments for players rated Under 2000 FIDE, Under 1800 FIDE and Under 1600 FIDE. All three tournaments will use FIDE ratings (although they will also be ECF rated).

3) A Great New Entry-Level Foundation Tournament

Following the example of other congresses in North East England, Wwe are introducing a new 5-round ECF-rated Foundation Tournament, for players rated under ECF 1400 and for newcomers to tournament chess. Participants will play two games in each round (one with White and one with Black, against the same opponent). Games will be at the Standard Play time control of 45 minutes for all moves, plus an increment of 15 seconds per move.
This means that new players can gain a full ECF rating from a single weekend tournament.

4) Dedicated New Chess Venue

The 2023 Northumbria Masters will be held at Forest Hall Social Club, Errington Terrace, Palmersville, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 7LJ. Forest Hall Social Club is the home of Forest Hall Chess Club, one of the largest chess clubs in the North of England, and has hosted title norm tournaments and rapidplay congresses.

Forest Hall Social Club facilities include:
a) 400 square metre main playing hall, for the Masters, Challengers, Major, Minor and Foundation tournaments;
b) Separate function room for the GM and WGM tournaments;
c) On-site refreshments (tea, coffee, licensed and soft drinks, sandwiches, snacks);
d) Ample free parking available nearby (outside the Social Club, plus in the car park near Aldi, 200 metres away, and in nearby streets);
e) Analysis and coaching areas;
f) Ground floor disabled toilet and ground-level easy access for disabled players to the main playing hall.

5) Upgraded GM and IM Norm Tournaments

There will be 2 all-play-all events – one primarily for for GM and IM norms, and one primarily for IM norms, organised according to the Schiller Team Tournament System.
Each tournament will consist of 12 players (4 teams of 3 players each) as follows:
GM Norm event: Team A – 3 GMs, Team B – 3 IMs/FMs, Team C – 3 IMs/FMs, Team D – 3 IMs/FMs
IM Norm event: Team A – 3 IMs, Team B – 3 FMs/other players, Team C – 3 FMs/other players, Team D – 3 FMs/other players
Under the Schiller System, each player plays the nine players in the other 3 teams, enabling players to score various title norms.