Manchester FIDE Rapidplay Chess Congress 2026

DATES

Sunday 22nd March 2026 
 

VENUE:

The University of Bolton Arena

Arena Approach, Horwich, Bolton BL6 6LB

Parking is Free .

Introduction

Welcome to the home page of the Manchester Chess Federation's Rapidplay Chess Congress 2026

The Manchester Rapidplay Congress includes:

The Harry Lamb Memorial FIDE OPEN.

The FIDE Rated Major. Under 1900

The FIDE Rated Knights. Under 1630

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We use Rapidplay grades (FIDE). We will use ECF grades if no FIDE grade available. If you have no current grade we use your last available grade. If you have no grade you must send us information to estimate your grade, at least seven days before the tournament. If we receive no information you will be placed in the Open Tournament.

PRIZES:

FIDE OPEN: 1st Place £300; 2nd Place £150; GP Under 2050: £50

FIDE MAJOR: 1st Place £150; 2nd Place £100; GP Under 1750: £40

FIDE MINOR: 1st Place £150; 2nd Place £100; GP Under 1550: £40 
 

Registration

• Entrants to all sections should be ECF Gold Members or higher

• Non ECF members will be asked to pay a further £15 to cover their grading pay-to-play 
   

  Time Controls

  FIDE Open Tournament 25 minutes plus five second increment.

  ECF Major Tournament 25 minutes plus five second increment.

  ECF Knights Tournament 25 minutes plus five second increment.

  Tournament Format

  All the events will be six round Swiss Tournaments. 
  Pairings will be undertaken using Swiss Manager. 
   

  Pairings and results

  These pairings, results and standings will be available on Chess-Results.com . They will also be posted in the playing area on screens located for this purpose.

   

  Time Table FIDE Open, Major and Knights

  Round 1	Sunday 22nd March 2026 - 10:00
  Round 2	Sunday 22nd March 2026 - 11:20
  Round 3	Sunday 22nd March 2026 - 13:20
  Round 4	Sunday 22nd March 2026 - 14:40
  Round 5	Sunday 22nd March 2026 - 16:00
  Round 6	Sunday 22nd March 2026 - 17:20

  Anti Cheating

  The Congress Controller reserves the right to undertake random metal detector checks on a sample population. Players are reminded to switch off their phones and place them face down on the table next to the board. THE CONTROLLERS' DECISION IS FINAL IN ALL DISPUTES. THE CONGRESS TEAM RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ENTRY WITHOUT EXPLANATION. PLEASE TREAT THE CONTROL TEAM WITH RESPECT.
   

  ACCOMMODATION

  
  Premier Inn and Whites Hotel are adjacent to the venue. 
   

  REFUNDS

  MCF will make Paypal Refunds if they are advised of withdrawal BEFORE 4.00p.m. on the 20th March 2025 (There will be a five pound administration fee for all withdrawals. 
   

  REFRESHMENTS

  
  Drinks and snacks are available from the cafe. 
  These are reasonably priced. 
  YOU ARE REMINDED THAT YOU MAY NOT CONSUME YOUR OWN FOOD INSIDE THE ARENA.

  Registration and Entry Fee

  FIDE Open £35 Major £35 Knights £35 All female entries can have a £10 reduction on their entry fee. This reduction is part of the MCF's POSITIVE ACTION to promote female participation in chess. All junior entries can have a £10 reduction on their entry fee. This reduction is part of the MCF POSITIVE ACTION to promote junior chess. Entries must be under 18 years on 1st September 2025. 
  
   

  SAFEGUARDING

  MCF has adopted the ECF Safeguarding Policy as advised by the NSPCC. The Safeguarding Officer is Julian Clissold. Report any incidents to him at the event.