Northumbria Masters Chess Congress 2024
General Event Information
22-26 August 2024
Round 1 starts: 10:00 am, Thursday 22 August, 2024
Round 9 starts: 10:00 am, Monday 26 August, 2024
The 2024 Northumbria Masters Chess Congress will be held at:
The Dolphin Centre
Horse Market
Darlington
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
Three FIDE-rated 9-round Swiss tournaments:
1) Masters (Open) – nine-round FIDE-rated Swiss, eligible for title norms
2) Challengers (Under 2000 FIDE) – nine-round FIDE-rated Swiss
3) Major (Under 1700 FIDE) – 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
Two FIDE-rated invitational tournaments:
1) GM Round Robin (10 players, eligible for title norms)
2) IM Round Robin (10 players, eligible for title norms)
Interested players should contact NM Chess Congress Director Tim Wall at:
info@northumbriamasters.com
Masters (Open):
1st – £1500; 2nd – £800; 3rd – £500
4th – £350; 5th – £250; 6th – £200
Top Junior (Under 18) – £100
Top Senior (Over 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 (Over 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 (Over 50) – £50
Top Female – £50
Top Under 1550 FIDE – £50
Players may win only one prize.
Players on the same score share prizes.
Masters (Open): £65
GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs: Free
Challengers (Under 2000): £45
Major (Under 1700): £35
GM Round Robin – Norm seekers: £150
IM Round Robin – Norm seekers: £150
All tournaments will be FIDE-rated.
Players should be Platinum or Gold ECF members, OR members of another national federation, OR pay a £12 pay-to-play fee with their entry fee.
(for all tournaments)
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.
(for all tournaments)
Round 1: 10:00, Thursday 22 August
Round 2: 14:30, Thursday 22 August
Round 3: 10:00, Friday 23 August
Round 4: 14:30, Friday 23 August
Round 5: 10:00, Saturday 24 August
Round 6: 14:30, Saturday 24 August
Round 7: 10:00, Sunday 25 August
Round 8: 14:30, Sunday 25 August
Round 9: 10:00, Monday 26 August
Prizegiving Ceremony: 14:30, Monday 26 August
Conditions are available for a limited number of GMs and IMs.
Expressions of interest for the GM Norm and IM Norm Round Robins are welcome.
GM Norm: players rated 2300+ FIDE.
IM Norm: players rated 2200+ FIDE.
Accommodation list available on request.
Contact email: info@northumbriamasters.com
1. Players MUST email info@northumbriamasters.com to confirm attendance on Wednesday 21 August 2024 (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 £12.00 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.
FIDE rating at the time of registration applies. If no FIDE rating, ECF rating at the time of registration applies. July 2024 ratings determine sections and rating prizes. (August 2024 ratings will be used for pairing only.)
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 1st January 2024. If you are aged under 18 on 1/1/2024, you are classed as a Junior participant. If you are 18+ on 1/1/2024, you are classed as an Adult participant.
7. Byes
Half-point byes (via registration form): up to 3 byes for Rounds 1-8.
8. Other regulations
FIDE laws of chess apply.
No smoking or vaping is permitted anywhere on the premises.