Northumbria Masters Chess Congress 2026
General Event Information
26-31 August 2026
(Wednesday – Monday)
The 2026 Northumbria Masters Chess Congress will be held at:
The Dolphin Centre, Darlington
Horse Market Square
DL1 5RP
The Dolphin Centre is 10 minutes’ walk from Darlington railway station.
Darlington is 2.5 hours from London Kings Cross by train on the East Coast Main Line.
Darlington is a friendly market town with several hotels and numerous shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants and car parks in the town centre within easy walking distance of the Dolphin Centre.
The town is close to numerous tourist attractions in the Yorkshire Dales, Teesside and County Durham.
Dolphin Centre’s website:
CLICK HERE
The Northumbria Masters Chess Congress includes 4 FIDE-rated Standard Play tournaments, and a FIDE-rated Blitz tournament.
Three FIDE-rated 9-round Swiss tournaments:
1) Masters (Open) – nine-round FIDE-rated Swiss, eligible for title norms
2) Challengers (Under 2000 FIDE or no FIDE rating) – nine-round FIDE-rated Swiss
3) Major (Under 1700 FIDE or no FIDE rating) – nine-round FIDE-rated Swiss
Tournament Byes: A maximum of 3 half-point byes may be taken in Rounds 1-8, if requested on entry.
Registration open to all players via REGISTRATION PORTAL
IM Invitational Tournament
4) IM Round Robin (10 player all-play-all, eligible for title norms)
Interested players should contact NM Chess Congress Director Tim Wall at:
info@northumbriamasters.com
Entry fees (according to FIDE standard rating):
2350+ £200; 2300+ £250; 2250+ £300
FIDE-rated Blitz
5) FIDE-rated Blitz (Thursday 27 August, 8:00pm) – Nine-round Swiss
Masters (Open):
1st – £1000; 2nd – £650; 3rd – £450
4th – £300; 5th – £200
Top Junior (Under 18) – £100
Top Senior (50+) – £100
Top Female – £100
Top Under 2200 FIDE – £100
Challengers (Under 2000):
1st – £500; 2nd – £250; 3rd – £125
Top Junior (Under 18) – £75
Top Senior (50+) – £75
Top Female – £75
Top Under 1850 FIDE – £75
Major (Under 1700):
1st – £400; 2nd – £200; 3rd – £100
Top Junior (Under 18) – £50
Top Senior (50+) – £50
Top Female – £50
Top Under 1550 FIDE – £50
FIDE-rated Blitz
£100, £50, £30
Top Junior (Under 18) – £25
Top Senior (50+) – £25
Top Female – £25
Top Under 2000 FIDE – £25
Players may win only one prize.
Players on the same score share prizes.
MAIN TOURNAMENTS:
(Enter and pay via Registration Form)
Masters (Open):
GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs: Free
FMs, WFMs: £40
2000+ FIDE players: £75
<2000 FIDE players: £100
Challengers (Under 2000):
All players: £50
Major (Under 1700):
All players: £45
IM Invitational (Round Robin)
Norm seekers:
2350+ players: £200
2300+ players: £250
2250+ players: £300
To register your interest, please send your enquiry to: info@northumbriamasters.com.
FIDE-rated Blitz
Entry Fee: £10 (free entry to GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs)
MASTERS (OPEN), CHALLENGERS, MAJOR, and IM INVITATIONAL
All moves in 90 minutes, plus an increment of 30 seconds per move from move 1.
Players must record all the moves throughout the game.
FIDE-RATED BLITZ
All moves in 3 minutes, an increment of 2 seconds per move from move 1.
OPEN, CHALLENGERS, MAJOR, and IM ROUND ROBIN
Round 1: Wednesday 26 August, 6:00pm
Round 2: Thursday 27 August, 10:00am
Round 3: Thursday 27 August, 3:00pm
Round 4: Friday 28 August, 10:00am
Round 5: Friday 28 August, 3:00pm
Round 6: Saturday 29 August, 10:00am
Round 7: Saturday 29 August, 3:00pm
Round 8: Sunday 30 August, 10:00am
Round 9: Monday 31 August, 10:00am
FIDE-rated Blitz (Thursday 27 August)
Start: 8:00pm Finish: 10:30pm
Free accommodation is available for a limited number of GMs and IMs.
Expressions of interest for the IM Invitational (Round Robin) are welcome from Norm Seekers.
IM Norm Seekers: players rated 2250+ FIDE.
An accommodation list is available to all entrants on request.
Contact email: info@northumbriamasters.com
1. Players MUST email info@northumbriamasters.com to confirm attendance on Tuesday 25 August 2026 (deadline: 8pm).
This is essential to ensure you are included in the Round 1 draw.
2. Players in all FIDE-rated events should:
a) be Platinum/Gold ECF members, or
b) be members of another national federation, or
c) pay a £15.00 Pay-to-Play fee.
3. Rating Eligibility for Tournaments.
FIDE Standard Play ratings will be used for FIDE-rated events. If no FIDE Standard Play rating available, the ECF Standard Play rating will be used.
To enable players to enter early, players may use their June, July or August 2026 FIDE Standard Rating to enter the Masters Open, Challengers or Major tournaments. If players have no FIDE rating, they may use their June, July or August 2026 ECF Standard Rating.
August 2026 ratings will be used for pairings and to determine rating prizes within sections.
PLEASE NOTE: After entering a tournament, rating-eligible players may be reassigned to a different tournament at their own request.
Players may also be reassigned to a different tournament at the discretion of the Congress Director based on their playing strength or experience.
4. Time controls
All FIDE-rated events: All moves in 90 minutes, plus 30 seconds per move.
5. Prizes
Players normally win only one prize.
The organisers reserve the right to adjust prize money depending on entries.
6. Age categories
Age categories are as of 26 August 2026. If you are aged under 18 on 26/08/2026, you are classed as a Junior participant. If you are 18+ on 26/08/2025, you are classed as an Adult participant.
7. Byes
Up to 3 Half-point byes for Rounds 1-8 may be requested when entering on the registration form.
8. Other regulations
Current FIDE Laws of Chess apply.
No smoking or vaping is permitted anywhere on the premises.