Hendon FIDE Blitz 2026 will take place on Thursday, August 6, 2026, in West Hampstead, London, England. This evening blitz tournament gives players a compact FIDE-rated and ECF-rated chess event at Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club.
The tournament uses a 6-round format and runs in the evening from 7:30 PM. It is suitable for club players, blitz specialists, London-based players, and visitors who want a fast rated tournament after work or during a short stay in the city.
The event includes cash prizes based on the number of entries, plus a fixed prize for the best Hendon member. Therefore, the tournament offers a simple and practical blitz format with rated games and prize opportunities.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Date | Thursday, August 6, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | West Hampstead, London, England |
| 🏛️ Venue | Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club |
| ♟️ Format | 6-round blitz tournament |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE-rated and ECF-rated |
| 🏁 Sections | One blitz tournament |
| ⏱️ Time | 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM |
| 🔢 Rounds | 6 |
| 👤 Organizer | Adam Raoof |
| 🌐 Event Website | https://www.englishchess.org.uk/event/hendon-fide-blitz-24/ |
| 📝 Online Entry | https://form.jotformeu.com/51261943542958 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament is played over 6 blitz rounds.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament Type | Blitz |
| Rounds | 6 |
| Rating | FIDE-rated and ECF-rated |
| Event Time | 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM |
The evening format gives players a complete blitz tournament in one short session. As a result, participants can play rated games without committing to a full-day congress.
Players should arrive before the start time, especially if they need to confirm their entry, find the playing room, or prepare equipment.
🏆 Prize Fund
The prize structure is based on the number of entries.
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st place | Number of entries × £1 |
| 2nd place | Half of the 1st prize |
| Best Hendon Member | £20 / approx. $27 |
This structure keeps the prize fund directly linked to the final number of participants. In addition, the best Hendon member receives a fixed prize of £20 / approx. $27.
📂 Sections / Groups
The event is played as one blitz tournament.
| Section | Information |
|---|---|
| Main Tournament | One blitz section |
| Format | 6 rounds |
| Rating | FIDE-rated and ECF-rated |
| Player Group | Club players, blitz players, and local competitors |
The tournament suits players who want fast rated chess in London. In addition, the evening schedule makes it practical for players who cannot attend a full weekend tournament.
📅 Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:30 PM | Tournament start |
| 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Six blitz rounds |
The tournament starts at 7:30 PM. Players should arrive early enough to locate the playing room and be ready for the first round.
📝 Registration
Players should enter online through the official entry form.
| Registration Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Online Entry | https://form.jotformeu.com/51261943542958 |
| Event Website | https://www.englishchess.org.uk/event/hendon-fide-blitz-24/ |
| Club Website | https://www.hendonchessclub.com/eventtags/blitz/ |
Online entry helps the organizer prepare the tournament and manage the player list before the event.
👥 Organizer
| Organizer Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Adam Raoof |
| Phone | +44 7855 036537 |
| adamraoof@gmail.com | |
| Club | Hendon Chess Club |
Adam Raoof organizes the Hendon FIDE Blitz 2026 as part of the Hendon Chess Club blitz event program.
The event gives players a focused evening tournament with FIDE and ECF rating calculation. It also supports regular competitive chess activity in London through a short and accessible blitz format.
📍 Venue
Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club – 25 Alvanley Gardens, West Hampstead, London NW6 1JD, England.
The tournament takes place at Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club in West Hampstead. Players should enter the bar, turn left, go through the white door, and then go upstairs on the right to reach the chess venue.
Players should use the full venue address when planning their route.
🏨 Accommodation
Players traveling from outside London can look for accommodation in West Hampstead, Finchley Road, Hampstead, Kilburn, or central London.
West Hampstead is a practical area for this event because it offers local transport links, restaurants, cafés, and accommodation options near the venue.
🚆 How to Get There
| Travel Option | Information |
|---|---|
| Area | West Hampstead, London |
| By Underground | West Hampstead station area |
| By Rail / Overground | West Hampstead rail and Overground connections |
| By Car | Use Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club, 25 Alvanley Gardens, London NW6 1JD |
| Local Transport | Tube, rail, Overground, bus, taxi, and rideshare options operate nearby |
West Hampstead has strong public transport links across London. Players can use Underground, rail, Overground, bus, taxi, or rideshare services to reach the area.
Players arriving by car should use the full venue address:
Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club – 25 Alvanley Gardens, West Hampstead, London NW6 1JD, England.
ℹ️ Other Information
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Event Type | Blitz |
| Rating | FIDE-rated and ECF-rated |
| Event Tag | London |
| Playing Room Access | Enter the bar, turn left, go through the white door, then go upstairs on the right |
The Hendon FIDE Blitz 2026 offers a short evening tournament for players who want rated blitz chess in London.
Join the Hendon FIDE Blitz 2026 in West Hampstead and play a 6-round FIDE-rated and ECF-rated blitz tournament at Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club.
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Adam Raoof is an English chess organizer, International Arbiter, International Organizer, coach, writer, and tournament director based in London, England. He is closely connected with Chess England, a tournament and training project that offers regular over-the-board chess events in London and other parts of England.
His chess work combines tournament organization, arbitration, coaching, publishing, and player support. Adam Raoof holds FIDE International Arbiter and International Organizer titles, which gives his events a strong technical foundation. He also has long experience in English chess administration and has served as England Olympiad men’s team captain.
Adam Raoof is also the editor of The Chess Circuit, where he shares tournament information, chess news, commentary, and practical updates for players. This makes his organizer profile especially useful for players who want regular tournament opportunities and clear communication before events.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
Adam Raoof organizes and supports many chess events through Chess England and related tournament platforms. His activity includes FIDE-rated standardplay congresses, rapid tournaments, blitz events, training days, and accessible competitions for developing players.
His tournament calendar includes events such as Muswell Hill FIDE Chess, Golders Green FIDE Rapid Chess, Northampton FIDE Congresses, and other ECF-rated and FIDE-rated events. These tournaments usually offer rating-based sections, clear entry systems, and practical schedules for club players, juniors, and stronger competitors.
Adam Raoof also supports first-time and improving players through beginner-friendly formats. Some of his events are designed to help players get a rating or enter competitive chess without needing previous club experience. Therefore, his work helps connect casual players, juniors, adult learners, and active tournament players with the wider English chess scene.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Players who join events organized by Adam Raoof can expect a practical and well-structured chess environment. His tournaments usually focus on punctual rounds, clear sections, published entry information, and accessible communication through email, WhatsApp, and online forms.
The events are especially useful for players in London and nearby regions who want regular rated chess without waiting for a large annual congress. Stronger players can use the FIDE-rated sections for serious competition, while improving players can choose lower rating groups or rapid events.
For players searching for chess tournaments in London, FIDE-rated chess in England, or regular ECF-rated events with experienced organization, Adam Raoof offers a reliable organizer profile. His mix of arbitration, tournament direction, writing, coaching, and event promotion gives him a clear role in the English chess community.
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Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
