Join us for another full weekend of FIDE & ECF rated chess at the Northampton FIDE Congress on Saturday 28 February – Sunday 1 March 2026 at the University of Northampton, Waterside Campus, University Drive, Northampton NN1 5PH. This modern, canalside venue offers spacious playing halls, a comfortable lobby area for relaxing between rounds, and on‑site parking from around £1-£2 per day via RingGo.

We are running four sections so that players of all levels can find the right challenge:

• Under 2400

• Under 1900

• Under 1600

• ECF Under 1400 (if you have a FIDE standard 1400 or above, please enter the Under 1600)

All sections are FIDE and ECF rated standard play, with a 5‑round Swiss over the weekend:

• Saturday: 3 rounds, 10:30–13:30, 14:00–17:00, 17:30–20:30

• Sunday: 2 rounds, 11:00–14:00, 14:30–17:30
  The time control is 60 minutes per player plus 30 seconds per move from move 1, giving you proper, classical games in every round. You can request up to two half‑point byes on the form (not including the final round), making the schedule flexible if you need to arrive late or leave early.

We are pleased to offer guaranteed money prizes in every section:

• U2400 & U1900: 1st £200, 2nd £100, 3rd £50

• U1600: 1st £160, 2nd £80, 3rd £40

• ECF U1400: 1st £160, 2nd £80, 3rd £40
  Prizes are shared if players tie on points.​

Venue and accommodation

The Waterside Campus Learning Hub (rooms LH013 & LH014 for this weekend) provides an excellent playing environment with lots of space, seating and power points, and good nearby amenities including a corner shop and larger supermarkets a short walk away. For players wishing to stay on site, the Sunley Hotel offers convenient accommodation; please email SunleyHotel@northampton.ac.uk quoting “Chess2026” to book at the chess rate, £70 a room.

How to enter

Entries are online only.
Sign up and full details: https://form.jotform.com/231114495377963

Whether you are chasing rating gains, looking for serious weekend practice, or just want to enjoy a friendly, well‑run congress at a great venue, we’d be delighted to see you in Northampton.

Best wishes,
Adam Raoof & Rob Hammond
Northampton FIDE Congress

Muswell Hill FIDE Chess is running a special Half Term weekday event on Tuesday 17 February 2026 at The Clissold Arms, and you’re warmly invited to take part.

Play 6 games of rapid OR 2 games of Standard FIDE chess

If you’ve got some free time this February Half Term and want a full day of “serious”, FIDE-rated chess, join us at Muswell Hill FIDE Chess on Tuesday 17 February 2026, 10:30 AM to around 5:00 PM, at The Clissold Arms, 105 Fortis Green, London N2 9HR.

You can choose the format that suits you:

• Rapid: 6 FIDE & ECF rated rapid games in one day, with prizes, ideal if you enjoy fast, fighting chess. Time control: 20 minutes plus 5 seconds per move, 6 rounds between 10:30 AM and late afternoon with a civilised lunch break.

• Standard: 2 FIDE & ECF rated standard games in the day, perfect if you want quality, longer time‑control games to build your rating. Time control: 60 minutes plus 30 seconds per move, 2 games across the same session 10.30am and 2pm, again with a lunch break.

Everything runs in a friendly, organised environment at our regular Muswell Hill venue, with clocks, sets and scoresheets provided – all you need to bring are your ideas and your fighting spirit. Whether you’re looking to:​

• get new or improved FIDE and ECF ratings,

• warm up for weekend tournaments, or

• simply enjoy a full day of face‑to‑face chess during Half Term,

this one‑off weekday event is a great way to make the most of your time off.

How to enter

Entries are online only – please register in advance here:
Online entry form: https://form.jotform.com/62384663046964

Places are limited, so early entry is strongly recommended.

We look forward to seeing you over the board at Muswell Hill this Half Term.

Best wishes,
Adam Raoof
Chess England

🗓️ THU, FEB 5  ⏰ 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM — Hendon FIDE Blitz at Hendon Chess Club https://form.jotform.com/51261943542958 📍 Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club, 25 Alvanley Gardens, London NW6 1JD, UK [Blitz Chess]  📝 DETAILS:  Hosted by Hendon Chess Club - but anyone can enter!  Register here - https://form.jotform.com/51261943542958   PRIZES - 1st = [number of entries x £1], 2nd = [half the 1st prize), PLUS Best Hendon Member = £20.00  The tournament is 10 minutes per player per game, with no increment, 6 rounds, play is from 7.30pm to 10pm and the venue is Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club, 25 Alvanley Gardens, London NW6 1JD.  Go into the bar, turn left and through the white door and up the stairs to your right to find the chess venue!    2026 dates: January 8th - February 5 - March 5th  April 9th - May 7th - June 4th  July 2nd - August 6th - September 3rd  October 1st - November 5th - December 3rd    Register here - https://form.jotform.com/51261943542958     www.hendonchessclub.com for details of the chess club!    --------------------------    🗓️ SAT, FEB 7  ⏰ 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM — Golders Green FIDE & ECF rated  RAPID chess 📍 St Luke’s Church @ St Luke’s Church, Kidderpore Avenue, London, NW3 7SU [Rapid Chess]  📝 DETAILS:  Come to our North West London FIDE and ECF Rapid Chess tournament    FORMAT – Open, Under 1900, Under 1600 and an ECF Under 1100 swiss format tournaments, 6 rounds, 20 mins each plus 5 seconds a move. 11am start, 5pm finish.      Enter online now by clicking here: https://form.jotform.com/211384934514961.    DATES FOR 2026 (Saturdays)    2026: February 7th / March 7 / April 11 /  May 16 / June 20 / July 18th / August 15th /  September 12th / October 10th / November 14th /    Here is how to get to the venue – http://bit.ly/stlukeschess    --------------------------    🗓️ TUE, FEB 10  ⏰ 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM — Muswell Hill FIDE Chess - Rapid 📍 The Clissold Arms @ The Clissold Arms, 105 Fortis Green, London, N2 9HR [Rapid Chess]  📝 DETAILS:  FORMATS  On all Tuesday dates you can choose from 6 FIDE and ECF rated rapid games with prizes or two standard FIDE and ECF rated games.  Congress format is 4 standard FIDE and ECF rated games with prizes over two days (Tuesday and Wednesday) in one section, swiss format.    SCHEDULE  We always start at 10.30am, finish before 5.30pm and there is a lunch break. Rapid = Six rounds, 20 minutes per player per game PLUS 5 seconds a move throughout. Standard = 2 games a day, 60 minutes plus 30 seconds a move.    Online entry: https://form.jotform.com/62384663046964 (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://form.jotform.com/62384663046964)2026 dates for the rapid / standard (Tuesdays) and congress (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) formats  January 6 & 13  February 3 & 10 and now 17!  March 3 & 10  [April 7th & April 8th Muswell Hill CONGRESS]  April 14th  May 5 & 12  [May 26th & 27th Muswell Hill CONGRESS]  June 9 & 16  July 7 & 14  August 11 & 18  September 8 & 15  October 6 & 13  [October 27th & 28th & Muswell Hill CONGRESS]  November 10 & 17  Nothing in December, usually!    🗓️ TUE, FEB 17  ⏰ 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM — Muswell Hill FIDE Chess - Half Term Rapid! 📍 The Clissold Arms @ The Clissold Arms, 105 Fortis Green, London, N2 9HR [Rapid Chess]    EXTRA TOURNAMENTS FOR HALF TERM!!    ⏰ 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM — Muswell Hill FIDE Chess - Half Term Standard! 📍 The Clissold Arms @ The Clissold Arms, 105 Fortis Green, London, N2 9HR [Weekend Chess]  --------------------------    🗓️ THU, FEB 26  ⏰ 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM — Hendon Chess Club FIDE Rapid x 4 games OPEN TO ALL 📍 Hendon Chess Club, 25 Alvanley Gardens, London NW6 1JD, UK [Rapid Chess]  📝 DETAILS:  www.hendonchessclub.com    Start time: Thursday 7:30pm    Location: The Cumberland Club, 25 Alvanley Gardens, London NW6 1JD  FIDE-rated (and ECF-rated) rapid tournament. Four rounds of rapid chess: 15 minutes per player per game.     Quickplay finish laws will apply, Guidelines III.5 is in use    Entry costs £10 for members, £15 for non-members. ECF membership (https://www.englishchess.org.uk/ecf-membership-rates-and-joining-details/) of GOLD level or higher is required in order to enter.    Please register in advance using this form (https://eu.jotform.com/223182956138966)    https://eu.jotform.com/223182956138966    --------------------------    🗓️ SAT, FEB 28 (see pic)  ⏰ Saturday 28 Feb 10:30 AM to Sunday 1 Mar — Northampton FIDE Congress - https://form.jotform.com/231114495377963 📍 University of Northampton Waterside Campus, University Drive, Northampton, NN1 5PH [Weekend Chess]  📝 DETAILS:  Under 2400, Under 1900, Under 1600 & ECF Under 1400 sections.    ECF and FIDE rated Standard. 3 rounds on Saturday 10.30am to 8.30pm and 2 rounds on Sunday 11am to 5.30pm.    The time control will be 60 minutes plus 30 seconds per move added throughout. There is an option to take 2 half point byes, not including the final round.  Prizes will be shared in the event of a tie.    https://chesscircuit.substack.com/p/northampton-fide-congresses-2026    DATES for 2026 (all Saturday and Sunday)    How to make a booking for the Sunley Hotel; Please email at SunleyHotel@northampton.ac.uk with booking requirements and quote “Chess2026”.    28 February and 1 March (in LH013 & LH014)  28-29 March (this event will be in the Town Hall at the Creative Hub, we’ll keep you posted)  2-3 May (Bank Holiday Weekend) (in LH013 & LH014)    Sign up and some more details are here -    https://form.jotform.com/231114495377963    --------------------------    

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