Muswell Hill FIDE Congress – October 2026 is a separate two-day standard-play event at The Clissold Arms on October 27 and 28. It should not be confused with the organizer’s recurring one-day Muswell Hill rapid or standard tournaments.
The congress consists of four FIDE- and ECF-rated games, with two rounds each day. Play begins at 10:30, includes a lunch break, and finishes before 17:30. The time control is 60 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one.
The venue is a working pub and restaurant with a strict no-outside-food-or-drink policy. Chess players receive a published 20% discount on food purchased at the premises. No complete public prize schedule is posted, so the prize-fund field remains blank.
📌 Event Details
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | October 27–28, 2026 |
| 🌍 Location | Muswell Hill, London, United Kingdom |
| 📍 Venue | The Clissold Arms – 105 Fortis Green, London N2 9HR, United Kingdom |
| ♟️ Format | Four-round, two-day FIDE- and ECF-rated standard congress |
| 🔢 Rounds | 4 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 60 minutes plus 30 seconds per move |
| 📊 Rating | FIDE and ECF rated |
| 💶 Entry Fee | £50 for the two-day congress plus £17 for Bronze or non-members where applicable |
| 🏆 Prize Fund | No fixed public prize schedule |
| 📝 Registration | Online through the official Chess England form |
The £50 congress fee covers the two-day standard event. ECF Bronze or non-members must pay the published £17 supplement unless they hold the required Gold or Platinum status.
Players should provide accurate FIDE and ECF information. Non-ENG participants and players without a FIDE ID should resolve identification requirements before entry.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Each of the four games uses 60 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. Two games are played on Tuesday and two on Wednesday, creating a compact daytime congress.
The official calendar confirms a 10:30 start and completion before 17:30, with a lunch break. Exact afternoon round times should be confirmed at check-in because they are not separately published.
| Competition Rule | Verified Detail |
|---|---|
| Rounds | 4 |
| Daily format | Two games each day |
| Time control | 60 minutes plus 30 seconds per move |
| Rating | FIDE and ECF |
| Daily window | 10:30 to before 17:30, with lunch break |
🏆 Prize Fund
The official registration and calendar information do not publish a complete fixed cash-prize schedule. The custom prize-fund field is therefore left blank.
Participants should enter for the rated games and congress experience rather than assuming a particular award. Any prize information announced later should be confirmed directly with the organizer.
| Prize Category | Award / Condition |
|---|---|
| Fixed cash total | Not published |
| Prize conditions | Confirm with organizer if subsequently announced |
| Import field | Intentionally blank to avoid an unsupported amount |
📂 Sections / Groups
The congress is presented as one two-day standard event rather than multiple rating sections. Entrants complete four games across the two days.
The organizer also runs separate one-day rapid and standard events at the same venue. Only the October 27–28 Congress belongs on this page.
| Section / Group | Eligibility and Format |
|---|---|
| Two-Day Congress | Four standard games over October 27–28 |
| Related one-day events | Separate registrations and dates; not included |
| Rating status | FIDE and ECF rated |
🗓️ Schedule
Both days begin at 10:30 and finish before 17:30. The organizer confirms two games and a lunch break each day but does not publish exact afternoon-round minutes.
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, October 27 | 10:30 | Round 1 |
| Tuesday, October 27 | Midday | Lunch break |
| Tuesday, October 27 | Afternoon | Round 2; finish before 17:30 |
| Wednesday, October 28 | 10:30 | Round 3 |
| Wednesday, October 28 | Midday | Lunch break |
| Wednesday, October 28 | Afternoon | Round 4; finish before 17:30 |
📝 Registration
The two-day Congress costs £50. A £17 supplement applies to ECF Bronze or non-members under the published form unless the player has Gold or Platinum membership.
The form requests identity, rating codes, FIDE nationality, membership status, and payment method. Players should select the two-day Congress product rather than a one-day rapid or standard entry.
| Registration Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Two-day Congress | £50 |
| Bronze / non-member supplement | £17 |
| Required membership | ECF Gold or Platinum, or pay the supplement |
| FIDE information | FIDE ID / nationality requested |
| Entry method | Official online form |
👤 Organizer
Chess England Limited and Adam Raoof organize the Muswell Hill series. The ECF organizer calendar identifies October 27–28 as the dedicated two-day Congress.
Questions about FIDE IDs, membership, afternoon timing, food policy, and entry products should be directed to the organizer before payment.
| Organizer Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Chess England Limited / Adam Raoof |
| adamraoof@gmail.com | |
| Phone | 07855 036537 |
| Registration | Official Muswell Hill form |
| ECF calendar | Organizer event calendar |
📍 Venue
The Clissold Arms – 105 Fortis Green, London N2 9HR, United Kingdom. The venue is a pub and restaurant in the Muswell Hill / East Finchley area.
Outside food and drink may not be consumed on the premises. The venue advertises a 20% food discount for chess players, but participants should confirm ordering hours and the lunch-break procedure.
🚗 How to Get There
| Travel Option | Practical Details |
|---|---|
| By Underground | East Finchley on the Northern line is a practical nearby station, followed by a walk or bus. Check Transport for London. |
| By bus | Several local routes serve Fortis Green and Muswell Hill; verify the closest stop and evening return service. |
| By rail | Mainline visitors can connect through central London to the Northern line or local buses. |
| By air | Use the appropriate London airport and continue by public transport. Check the complete journey before booking. |
| By car | Street parking can be restricted. Review local signs, controlled hours, and alternative parking before arrival. |
Public transport is usually more predictable than searching for street parking. Allow enough time to walk from the final stop and arrive before the 10:30 pairing.
🏨 Accommodation Near the Venue
| Accommodation Option | Practical Details |
|---|---|
| The Hide London | Official website — Hendon area option; verify public transport to Fortis Green. |
| Premier Inn London Archway | Official hotel page — Northern line area alternative. |
| King Solomon Hotel | Official website — north London option; compare route and travel time. |
| Booking guidance | Confirm the early route for both weekdays, cancellation conditions, and any parking charges. |
No official hotel package is published. A stay near the Northern line or a direct bus route can reduce the risk of weekday traffic delays.
ℹ️ Other Information
This is a weekday congress. Players should account for work, school, and London peak-hour travel on both mornings and afternoons.
The venue’s food policy is explicit: only food and drink purchased on the premises may be consumed there. Players with allergies or dietary needs should contact the venue in advance.
The organizer runs several similarly named Muswell Hill events. Recheck that the registration date selected is October 27–28 and that the product is the four-game Congress.
✅ Final Checks Before Travel
Verify the two-day product, membership supplement, FIDE details, and exact October dates. Keep a copy of the payment confirmation.
| Check | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Event selected | October 27–28 Congress, not a one-day event |
| Payment | £50 plus any required £17 supplement |
| Identification | Correct FIDE and ECF information |
| Food policy | No outside food or drink |
| Travel | Weekday morning route and parking restrictions |
🔗 Official Resources
| Resource | Official Link |
|---|---|
| Official Registration Form | Open official page |
| ECF Organizer Calendar | Open official page |
| Chess England | Open official page |
| Transport for London | Open official page |
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.
Hotels Near the Venue
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