General Event Information
1) GM Team Challenge Norm tournament
2) IM Team Challenge Norm tournament
There will be two nine-round invitational team tournaments run on the Schiller System (4 teams of 3 players), with the aim of providing opportunities for GM, IM, WGM and WIM title norms.
Interested players should contact NM Chess Congress Director Tim Wall at:
info@northumbriamasters.com
3) Masters (for players 2000+ FIDE, eligible for title norms)
4) Challengers (under 2000 FIDE)
5) Major (under 1800 FIDE)
6) Minor (under 1600 FIDE)
7) Foundation (under 1400 ECF rating)
In each round, participants play two successive games against the same opponent, one with the White pieces and one with the Black pieces. These games count for ECF standard rating, enabling first-time participants to gain an ECF rating from one tournament.
Bursaries for Junior Entries
A number of bursaries for junior entries are available for England-affiliated players aged under 21 on 24/8/2023.
In such cases, players should pay the tournament entry fee and apply for a bursary to NM Congress Director Tim Wall at: info@northumbriamasters.com.
Successful applicants will be notified promptly and subsequently reimbursed the entry fee at the end of the Congress.
(for all FIDE-rated events)
Round 1 10:00, Thursday 24 August
Round 2 15:00, Thursday 24 August
Round 3 12:00, Friday 25 August
Round 4 17:00, Friday 25 August
Round 5 10:00, Saturday 26 August
Round 6 15:00, Saturday 26 August
Morning of Sunday 27 August – No Round
Update: Round 7, 15:30, Sunday 27 August
Round 8 12:00, Monday 28 August
Round 9 17:00, Monday 28 August
(for ECF-rated Foundation tournament ONLY)
In each round, participants will play two games (one with White, one with Black) vs. the same opponent.
Round 1 10:00, Saturday 26 August
Round 2 15:00, Saturday 26 August
Morning of Sunday 27 August – No Round
Update: Round 3, 15:30, Sunday 27 August
Round 4, 12:00, Monday 28 August
Round 5, 17:00, Monday 28 August
(for all FIDE-rated events)
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 ECF-rated Foundation tournament ONLY)
All moves in 45 minutes, plus an increment of 15 seconds per move from move 1.
Players should record their moves until their time goes below 5 minutes for the first time.
The 2023 Northumbria Masters Chess Congress will be held at:
Forest Hall Social Club
Errington Terrace
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE12 9DQ
The Northumbria Masters would like to thank our main sponsors for their invaluable support:
The Chess Trust
John Robinson Youth Chess Trust
English Chess Federation
Friends of Chess
Northumberland Chess Association
Northumbria Junior Chess Association
Mark Jordan
1. Players in FIDE-rated events MUST email info@northumbriamasters.com to register on Wednesday 23 August 2023 (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 Gold/Platinum ECF members or
b) be members of another national federation or
c) pay a £12.00 Pay-to-Play fee.
ECF-rated Foundation players should:
a) be ECF Silver members or above, or
b) pay a £9.00 Pay-to-Play fee.
3. Rating Eligibility for Tournaments.
Players in FIDE-rated events may choose which tournament to enter based on their FIDE standard play ratings in June, July or August 2023. This is to allow participants some flexibility, and to enter the Congress in good time.
For example, if you have a FIDE standard play rating of 2000+ in June, July or August 2023, you may enter the Masters tournament. If you have a FIDE standard play rating of under 2000 in June, July or August 2023, you may enter the Challengers tournament. The same principle applies for the Major (Under 1800) and Minor (Under 1600) tournaments.
Players in the ECF-rated Foundation (Under 1400) tournament may enter the tournament based on their ECF stadnard play ratings in June, July or August 2023.
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
FIDE-rated events: All moves in 90 minutes, plus 30 seconds per move.
ECF-rated Foundation: All moves in 45 minutes, plus 15 seconds per move.
5. FIDE Standard Play Ratings will be used for FIDE-rated events, and ECF Standard Play ratings for the Foundation.
6. July 2023 ratings determine sections and rating prizes. (August 2023 ratings will be used for pairing only.)
7. Entries after August 16 incur £10 late fee.
8. Players normally win only one prize. Prizes may be adjusted based on entries.
9. Age categories are as of December 31, 2022. If you are aged under 21 on 1/1/2023, you are classed as a Junior participant. If you are 21+ on 1/1/2023, you are classed as an Adult participant.
10. Half-point byes (via registration form):
FIDE-rated events – up to 3 byes for Rounds 1-8.
ECF-rated – one bye permitted for Rounds 1-4.
11. No smoking or vaping is permitted anywhere on Forest Hall Social Club premises.