Staffordshire Chess Congress
27th, 28th and 29th March 2026
Victoria Hall,
Liverpool Road, Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs. ST7 4EL.
Lovely, prestigious, and historic venue 6 minute walk from railway station
Online entry : here
Entrants list here : here
Postal and phone entry : here
queries: staffschesscongress@gmail.com
Light refreshments available (and likely to include the famous
North Staffs oatcake with bacon and cheese), and
licensed bar.
Free parking at rear of venue, and lots of local free street parking
Chief Arbiter: Matthew Carr
5 round Swiss tournament with 3 sections
Open section ECF rated (using February 2026 lists).
Higher u1850, and Standard u1550 ECF rated (using February 2026 lists)
Fisher timing 100 minutes + 10 seconds per move
Entry fee £35 (all sections - except non ECF members or ECF bronze members must add further £6.50 juniors or £16 adults (all sections))
Prize money (every section): £300 1st, £150 2nd, and £50 multiple rating prizes;
and additionally, £100 best performing female player (using “algorithm of 400”).
Round 1 Friday 7:30pm
Round 2 Saturday 9:30am
Round 3 Saturday 2:30pm
Round 4 Sunday 9:30am
Round 5 Sunday 2:30pm
Congress terms and conditions:
· Players without a current rating of any type must provide full information about all results and any ratings previously held including any online rating.
· A FIDE ID is required for FIDE-rated tournaments. Players without a FIDE ID must contact their own federation if they do not wish to be registered as England with FIDE
· The arbiter reserves the right to transfer players between sections at any time.
· All moves to be recorded until your clock goes under 5 minutes remaining
· Missing players will be defaulted after 30 minutes from the start of the round and players may be re-paired.
· Except in the Open, unrated players win only half of any prize.
· Unrated players are not eligible for a rating prize.
· The number of Rating Prizes will be determined and announced during the event.
· A player qualifying for two prizes receives only the higher of the two prizes.
· Prize money may be subject to change depending on number of entrants.
· Swiss manager dictates the pairings in all rounds and they are not changed to suit individual preferences.
. Only hot food purchased on site can be eaten on site
· The organisers take no responsibility for children. A parent or guardian must remain on site at all times and ensure children are properly supervised at all times.
· Refunds may be given at the discretion of the organisers
· The organisers accept no responsibility for any damage, theft or accident to the person or property of any competitor, or other visitor at this event.
· In the event of the Tournament Director becoming a player also, if there is an urgent matter requiring his attention, he shall be permitted to pause his clock.
· BY ENTERING, PLAYERS AGREE THAT IN THE EVENT OF ANY DISPUTE, THE CHIEF ARBITER’S DECISION IS FINAL
ENTRY IS COMPLETE WHEN FUNDS HAVE CLEARED
No Prize giving on the day