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Manchester Summer Chess Congress 2025


DATES

Friday 15th August 2025 to Sunday 17th August 2025

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 Summer Chess Congress 2025.

The Manchester Summer Congress includes:

The Harry Lamb Memorial FIDE OPEN.

The FIDE Rated Major. Under 1930

The FIDE Rated Knights. Under 1630

We use standard play grades (FIDE) in the Open, ECF in the remaining events) 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 £500; 2nd Place £250; GP Under 2050: £75

MAJOR: 1st Place £300; 2nd Place £150; GP Under 1750: £50 Women's prize £50

MINOR: 1st Place £300; 2nd Place £150; GP Under 1550: £50 Women's prize £50

Registration

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

    Time Controls

    FIDE Open Tournament All moves in 110 minutes plus 10 second increments for each move

    ECF Major Tournament All moves in 110 minutes plus 10 second increments for each move

    ECF Knights Tournament All moves in 110 minutes plus 10 second increments for each move

    Tournament Format

    All the events will be five 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 1Friday 15th August - 18:00
    Round 2Saturday16th August- 10:00
    Round 3Saturday 16th August - 14:30
    Round 4Sunday 17th August - 10:00
    Round 5Sunday 17th August - 14:30

    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 opening day of the event.

      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.

      BOOKSTALL

      Registration and Entry Fee

      FIDE Open £50 Major £45 Knights £45 There is a £10 reduction for females entries in the Open, the Major and the Minor.

      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.