The 56th Cotswold CHESS CONGRESS

May 23th - 25th 2026

at The King’s School, Gloucester GL1 2BG

6-Round ECF rated Swiss tournament

All sections will be FIDE & ECF rated. The Open will include the Gloucestershire Individual County Championship.(please type yes if eligible) Gold or above ECF membership required for all sections

https://photos.app.goo.gl/CYp23yZMveHD3BvK7

Section	Open	Major U1860	Minor U1550
Entry Fee	£42	£37	£37
First Prize	£350	£250	£250
Second Prize	£225	£170	£170
Third Prize	£160	£120	£120

Entry fees above are for ECF Gold members in All sections. For other entrants an additional charge of £16 applies. There is a £4 discount for Juniors.

Entries are only considered Completed only when the entry fee has been paid by the due date

Please enter Online where possible

On-line entries will be accepted up to midnight on 20th May 2026.

RATE OF PLAY

Each player receives 90 minutes plus 30-second increment per move from move one. Digital clocks will be used. Default time 30 minutes after scheduled start time. 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move from start of game (all sections).

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

Participation in this Congress implies acceptance of the Congress

Players must abide by the FIDE Laws of Chess and any decisions made by the controllers in interpretation of the Laws are final.

The March 2026 ECF OTB Rating List will be used to determine section allocation, Ungraded players must provide evidence of their playing strength, including recent results, previous grades, prizes won and a reasonable estimate of grading. Prizes for ungraded players will be at the discretion of the congress committee. The congress committee reserves the right to refuse entry and to transfer competitors to other sections and to cancel or split any section at their discretion. If a player has not arrived for their game within 30 minutes of the start time, the player will be defaulted, and the controllers may re-pair games.

Timetable,

Saturday 23rd May Round 1: 10.00am Round 2: 3.00pm

Sunday 24th May Round 3: 10.00am Round 4: 3.00pm

Monday 25th May Round 5: 10.00am Round 6: 3.00pm

PLAYERS WITH A HEALTH CONDITION

Please send a description of any special requirements that you have, or of any considerations that would help you to take part in this event, to "Cotswold Chess Congress Entries" href="mailto:cotswoldchesscongress@gmail.com">.

Information provided on the entry form may be recorded and used for congress administration, mailing lists (no information is provided to third parties) and grading purposes. Photos may be taken for use on the congress Facebook page or website. If you do not want your photo published, please inform the organisers.

Accommodation Gloucester Tourist Information is within the Museum Brunswick Road, Gloucester, GL1 1HP; tel: 01452 396572 or visit visitgloucester.co.uk to book accommodation online.

Refreshments There are numerous eating and drinking establishments within walking distance.

We regret no onsite Refreshments will be available please bring your own water bottle.

The congress committee is very grateful to The King’s School, Gloucester for allowing the use of their school hall for this event. There is ample free parking available in the school grounds. Disclaimer - The school cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising at the congress. Smoking or vaping is not permitted anywhere on the school premises. Please do not drop litter. Personal mains electrical equipment is not permitted to be used on the school premises.

Mobile phones must be switched off in and around the playing area.

The King's School is situated in the heart of the city, GL1 2BG. If you are using SatNav please enter via 'Gouda Way' - this will bring you directly to the main school entrance and car park. Entry on foot is via Pitt Street.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FtKg3iDdoTr9FVxL9

I wish to enter the OPEN / MAJOR / MINOR tournament (circle one)

Name

Club

Rating

[OPEN SECTION ONLY] Eligible for Gloucestershire Individual Championship? YES / NO

ECF Rating Code ……………………………………………………….

ECF Membership Level: .……………................….

Competitors may request a ½-point bye in any one round (except the final round)

Which Round (1-5) if a half-point bye is requested

Entry Fee (payable in advance) £

Under 18s on 21/05/2026 may deduct £4 from entry fee DoB …………………………………………………………………… ] (£……………………..)

Game Fee supplement (£16) for Bronze & non-ECF members £ ..……………………..

The congress is not sponsored so donations are gratefully received £…………………………….

Total £

Email

Telephone (Mobile Prefered or Home)

The Congress Entry form Secretary is Matthew Grieve

12 Serlo Road, Gloucester GL1 2QW

for paper entries and cheques only.

We recommend the use of online system and bank transfer

Cotswold Chess Congress; Bank code 30-98-29; Account number 00028109 (Remember to quote your name with the payment.)