Middlesex FIDE Blitz No. 10 will take place on August 22, 2026 at All Saints Church in London, England, United Kingdom. This London event delivers an unusually large program of eighteen rated blitz games in one afternoon.
Players complete nine double rounds at three minutes plus a two-second increment per move. Moreover, the results count for both FIDE and ECF blitz ratings.
The prize formula links first place to the number of entries and adds fixed Under 1800 and Under 1600 awards. Therefore, the final main prize amount becomes clear only after the entry total is known.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | August 22, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | London, England, United Kingdom |
| 🏛️ Venue | All Saints Church |
| ♟️ Format | FIDE and ECF-rated blitz |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 double rounds / 18 games |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE Blitz and ECF Blitz |
| 📂 Sections | One open field with Under 1800 and Under 1600 prizes |
| 🏆 Prize Fund | Variable main prizes based on the number of entries |
| 👤 Organizer | Middlesex County Chess Association with Chess England |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses nine double rounds, giving each participant eighteen games.
The 3+2 time control keeps the program moving from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Consequently, players should remain in the hall and check each new pairing immediately.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| System | Swiss system |
| Rounds / Games | 9 double rounds / 18 games |
| Time Control | 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move |
| Rating Calculation | FIDE Blitz and ECF Blitz |
| Pairing / Competition Note | Nine double rounds / eighteen rated games |
🏆 Prize Fund
The organizer uses a variable first-prize formula and fixed rating prizes.
| Prize / Category | Award or Condition |
|---|---|
| 1st place | Number of entries × £3 |
| 2nd place | Half of the first prize |
| Under 1800 prize | £25 |
| Under 1600 prize | £25 |
The final main prize depends on the confirmed number of entries.
♟️ Sections / Groups
All players share one pairing field. Rating awards are decided from the final overall table.
| Section / Group | Eligibility or Format |
|---|---|
| Open field | One FIDE- and ECF-rated competition. |
| Under 1800 award | For eligible players in the published rating range. |
| Under 1600 award | For eligible players below the published limit. |
📅 Schedule
The tournament runs as a four-hour afternoon session with nine double rounds.
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, August 22, 2026 | Before 1:00 PM | Arrival and player confirmation |
| Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 1:00 PM | First double round begins |
| Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 1:00–5:00 PM | Nine double rounds / eighteen games |
| Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 5:00 PM | Scheduled finish |
📝 Registration
Players enter through the official MCCA form. Advance entry costs less than on-the-day entry.
Entrants should provide accurate FIDE and ECF information because both rating systems apply.
| Registration Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Advance Entry Fee | £35 |
| On-the-Day Entry Fee | £40 |
| Registration Form | https://eu.jotform.com/form/243094045258962 |
| Contact Email | adlew44@gmail.com |
| Official Page | https://www.middlesexchess.com/the-middlesex-fide-blitz |
👤 Organizer
| Organizer Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Middlesex County Chess Association with Chess England |
| adlew44@gmail.com | |
| Website | https://www.middlesexchess.com/the-middlesex-fide-blitz |
📍 Venue
All Saints Church – Church Walk, London NW2 2TJ, England
All Saints Church in Childs Hill hosts the entire blitz program. The registration form notes limited forecourt and nearby street parking.
The church lies within North West London’s public-transport area. Therefore, many participants can avoid driving.
🚆 How to Get There
London buses, rail and Underground connections serve the Childs Hill area. Visitors should use the full NW2 postcode for the final route.
The first games start at 1:00 PM. Consequently, players should arrive early enough to resolve any registration or rating issue.
| Travel Option | Practical Information |
|---|---|
| By Public Transport | Travel toward Childs Hill, then continue to Church Walk. |
| By Bus | Use a local route serving the All Saints Church area. |
| By Car | Use NW2 2TJ and review local parking restrictions. |
| By Taxi / Rideshare | Enter All Saints Church, Church Walk, as the destination. |
ℹ️ Other Information
The event follows FIDE and ECF blitz rules. Players should verify that their identifiers and ratings are recorded correctly.
Key Tournament Rules
| Rule | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Games | 18 |
| Rating | FIDE Blitz and ECF Blitz |
| Main Prize Formula | Entries × £3 for first place |
Official Resources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Middlesex Event Page | https://www.middlesexchess.com/the-middlesex-fide-blitz |
| ECF Listing | https://www.englishchess.org.uk/event/middlesex-fide-blitz-no-10/ |
| Registration Form | https://eu.jotform.com/form/243094045258962 |
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Middlesex County Chess Association, commonly known as MCCA, is a county chess organization serving a large part of London, England. It was founded in 1907 and is affiliated with the English Chess Federation and the Southern Counties Chess Union. Its main purpose is to foster chess throughout Middlesex.
MCCA covers the Cities of London and Westminster, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and several London boroughs. These include Barnet, Brent, Camden, Ealing, Enfield, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Richmond upon Thames, and Tower Hamlets. Therefore, its activities connect chess communities across a wide area of Greater London.
The association operates as an unincorporated nonprofit organization. Clubs that compete in the Middlesex Chess League form its membership and collectively own the association. Meanwhile, the MCCA Council, Executive Committee, and elected officers manage its administration and competitions. Peter Grant-Ross currently serves as president.
For the 2025/2026 season, MCCA listed 12 member clubs. They included Ealing, Hackney, Hammersmith, Harrow, Hendon, Kings Head, Metropolitan, Muswell Hill, West London, and Willesden and Brent. In addition, Albany and Potters Bar/Little Heath competed within the association.
🏆 Leagues, Tournaments and Chess Events
MCCA owns and manages the Middlesex Chess League. Member clubs enter teams across several divisions and play regular home-and-away matches during the season. The association publishes league rules and works with the ECF League Management System to record fixtures, results, team lists, and standings.
The Middlesex League has supported competitive club chess for many decades. Its roll of honor records champions from leading London clubs, including Hendon, Hackney, Ealing, Kings Head, Muswell Hill, and Imperial College. As a result, the league links historic chess institutions with newer community clubs.
MCCA also organizes the Middlesex FIDE Blitz in cooperation with Chess England. Each competition features nine double rounds, giving every participant 18 games. The time control is three minutes plus a two-second increment per move. Moreover, the organizers submit the results for both FIDE and ECF rating.
The blitz series welcomes club members and independent players. Participants do not need to belong to a chess club or hold ECF membership. In addition, the prize structure includes overall and rating-category awards. Therefore, players across several rating levels can compete for prizes.
MCCA does not maintain a permanent headquarters or playing venue. Instead, it hires suitable rooms for matches and events. Its current venue for county home matches and the FIDE Blitz is All Saints’ Church in Child’s Hill, northwest London.
🌱 County Teams and Player Development
County chess forms another central part of MCCA’s work. The association manages five representative teams: Open, Under-2050, Under-1850, Under-1650, and Under-1450. These teams compete against other counties during the Southern Counties Chess Union stage. Successful teams can then progress to the national ECF County Championships.
Players may qualify through their residence, workplace, birthplace, education, or membership of an affiliated club. Therefore, county chess remains accessible to many players who live or participate in chess within Middlesex. Team selection also gives developing competitors an opportunity to progress into stronger rating sections.
Middlesex has a distinguished record in county competition. In 2023, its Open team won the national Championship section. The result extended Middlesex’s record in that competition to 30 titles. Moreover, its Under-1850 team won the national championship in 2025 after defeating Yorkshire by 8.5–7.5.
The association also supports junior participation and safeguarding. Angela Eyton serves as Junior Organizer and Safeguarding Officer. Meanwhile, MCCA has formally adopted the English Chess Federation’s safeguarding framework. This structure helps young players participate in county and club chess within a safer environment.
Through its league, county teams, rated tournaments, and member-club network, MCCA provides several routes into organized chess. Players can begin at club level, enter league matches, join public tournaments, and later represent Middlesex. Consequently, the association remains an important part of competitive chess in London.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
