10th Peter & Peggy Clarke Memorial Rapidplay Chess Congress will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in Halwill Junction, Devon, England. This one-day rapid chess congress offers players a compact ECF-rated tournament in the West Country.

The congress uses a 6-round Swiss system with a rapid time control of 25 minutes plus 10 seconds increment per move. All games will be ECF rapidplay rated, and the event is scheduled to run from the opening ceremony at 9:50 AM through Round 6, which finishes at 5:30 PM.

The minimum guaranteed prize fund is £360 / approx. $483. The organizer may increase the prize fund and run two sections if entries are sufficient.

🗓️ Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament uses a 6-round Swiss system. Each player receives 25 minutes for the game, with a 10-second increment per move.

Missing players will be defaulted 10 minutes after the start of a round.

One half-point bye may be taken in Rounds 1–5.

The September 2026 ECF standard rapidplay list will be used for entry and eligibility purposes. The organizer may use other lists at their discretion. Players without a rating must provide information about their playing strength, including previous results or their highest previous rating.

🏆 Prize Fund

The minimum guaranteed prize fund is £360 / approx. $483. It may increase if there are sufficient entries.

No competitor may win more than one prize. Unrated players are eligible to win only 50% of any rating prize.

📂 Sections / Groups

The congress is planned as an Open section.

If entries are sufficient, the tournament may run as two sections with an increased prize fund.

📅 Schedule

The congress begins with the opening ceremony at 9:50 AM. Round 1 starts at 10:00 AM, followed by five more rapidplay rounds during the day.

The final round is scheduled from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

📝 Registration

Players can enter online through the Congress Org UK entry page.

ECF Gold members and above pay the standard £20 entry fee. Bronze members and non-ECF members must add £15.

Juniors under the age of 16 on September 1, 2026 may deduct £3 from the entry fee.

👥 Organizer

The Peter & Peggy Clarke Memorial Rapidplay Chess Congress is an annual rapidplay event held in memory of Peter and Peggy Clarke.

Peter Clarke was a FIDE and British Master, a noted chess writer, and a former leading English player. Peggy Clarke was a strong player in her own right, tied for first place in the British Ladies Championship in 1966, and later became an International Correspondence Lady Master.

The congress continues their chess legacy through a practical one-day rapidplay event for players in Devon and beyond.

📍 Venue

Halwill Parish Hall – Halwill Junction, Devon EX21 5XR, England.

The tournament takes place at Halwill Parish Hall, a spacious community venue in Halwill Junction.

The main entrance has no steps, and the venue has an accessible toilet. A pub and village shop are within close walking distance. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises.

🏨 Accommodation

Players traveling from outside the area may look for accommodation in Okehampton, Holsworthy, Bude, or nearby Devon villages.

Okehampton is a practical option for players arriving from the A30 or by rail. Bude and Holsworthy may also suit players combining the congress with a weekend stay in the region.

🚆 How to Get There

Halwill Junction is located on the A3079 between Okehampton and Holsworthy.

Players arriving by car should use the full venue address:

Halwill Parish Hall – Halwill Junction, Devon EX21 5XR, England.

The venue has a large free car park with spaces for more than 50 cars.

ℹ️ Other Information

Players must switch off mobile phones in the playing area.

The organizers may transfer entrants between events, withhold prizes from ungraded players who play below their known strength, redistribute prizes where necessary, and take measures needed for the smooth running of the congress.

Join the 10th Peter & Peggy Clarke Memorial Rapidplay Chess Congress in Halwill Junction and play a full day of ECF-rated rapid chess in Devon.