The 2026 Toronto Open takes place from September 5–7, 2026, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The tournament returns over the Labour Day weekend with six rounds of classical chess at St. Casimir’s Parish Hall.

Players compete in five rating-based sections: Crown, U2200, U1900, U1600 and U1300. Moreover, every section counts toward the Chess Federation of Canada rating list. The Crown, U2200 and U1900 sections also count toward the FIDE standard rating list.

Each player receives 90 minutes for the game, together with a 30-second increment from move one. In addition, the tournament offers a prize fund of CAD 7,000 and guarantees CAD 1,500 for first place.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The organizer runs the tournament over six Swiss-system rounds. Moreover, Swiss-Manager handles the pairings and tournament administration.

Each player receives 90 minutes for the game and a 30-second increment after every move from move one. Therefore, participants should record every move accurately throughout the game.

All five sections count toward the CFC rating list. Meanwhile, the Crown, U2200 and U1900 sections also count toward the FIDE standard rating list.

The organizer determines section eligibility through the highest current CFC, FQE or FIDE rating. Consequently, players cannot use a lower rating from another list to enter a lower section.

🏆 Prize Fund

The tournament offers a prize fund of CAD 7,000, approximately $5,000, based on 250 entries. In addition, the organizer guarantees CAD 1,500, approximately $1,070, for first place.

A player may receive only one prize. Therefore, the organizer will not stack multiple awards for the same participant.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The tournament divides participants into five rating groups. The organizer uses the highest CFC, FQE or FIDE rating when assigning each player.

Players may request entry into the next higher section when their rating falls within 100 points of that section’s rating floor. However, the organizer must approve every play-up request.

📅 Schedule

The tournament features two rounds each day. Moreover, all times follow local time in Toronto.

Players should arrive before the morning round and allow enough time to find their board. In addition, participants should remain available until the evening game ends on each playing day.

📝 Registration

Players must register and pay the full entry fee online. The organizer does not accept in-person registrations.

Early-bird registration runs through August 8, 2026. Afterwards, the regular entry period continues through August 25.

Annex Chess Club members, juniors aged 18 or younger, and seniors aged 60 or older receive a CAD 20 discount, approximately $20. However, each player may claim only one discount.

The organizer offers free entry to GM, IM, WGM and WIM titleholders. Eligible titled players should contact the tournament team before registering.

Registration Deadline

Registration closes on Friday, September 4, 2026, at 20:00. Consequently, players must complete both registration and payment before that time.

Online Registration:
https://annexchessclub.com/content.aspx?page_id=4091&club_id=385786&item_id=3022546

Refund Policy

CFC Membership

Every participant needs a valid Chess Federation of Canada membership. In addition, players should ensure that their CFC, FQE and FIDE ratings remain accurate before the organizer completes the section assignments.

Registration Contact

Contact Person: Keith Denning

Email: tournaments@annexchessclub.com

🏛️ Organizer

📍 Venue

St. Casimir’s Parish Hall – 156 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M6R 2L4, Canada.

The playing hall stands in Toronto’s Roncesvalles neighborhood. Moreover, the location offers direct access from the 504 King streetcar route.

The venue also lies south of Dundas West subway station. Therefore, players can connect from Line 2 to the Roncesvalles streetcar corridor.

🚊 How to Get There

Players can reach the venue by subway, streetcar, airport train, taxi or private vehicle. In particular, the 504 King streetcar runs along Roncesvalles Avenue between Dundas West Station and central Toronto.

Arrival Advice

The morning rounds begin at 10:00, while the afternoon rounds start at 16:00. Therefore, players should check TTC service notices before travelling and allow extra time during the Labour Day weekend.

ℹ️ Other Information

Byes

Players may request half-point byes in Rounds 1–4. However, byes in Rounds 5 and 6 receive zero points.

Players must email all bye requests to:

tournaments@annexchessclub.com

Play-Up Requests

Players may enter the next higher section when they fall within 100 rating points of its rating floor. The organizer uses the latest rating update before the tournament.

The play-up fee costs CAD 20, approximately $20, and players must pay it upon arrival. In addition, participants must email every request to tournaments@annexchessclub.com.

Electronic Devices

Players must switch off all phones, tablets, computers, smartwatches and similar devices throughout their games. Moreover, players may not wear smartwatches or conventional watches during play.

Participants may place a switched-off device face down on the playing table or store it in a bag beside the playing hall. However, they may not remove the device from the hall during a break.

Any sound or vibration from a player’s device results in the loss of the game.

Scoresheets and Move Execution

Every player must maintain an accurate scoresheet. In addition, players must use one hand when moving a piece, capturing, castling and pressing the clock.

Touch-move and touch-take rules apply throughout the tournament.

Illegal Moves

The first illegal move gives the opponent an additional two minutes. A second illegal move by the same player results in the loss of the game.

Player and Spectator Conduct

Players must avoid distracting behavior at the board. For example, they may not eat during a game, repeatedly disturb an opponent or make insincere draw offers.

Spectators, including parents, must not interact with players during a game. Instead, they should direct any concern to a tournament arbiter.

Tournament Officials

Tournament Director: Keith Denning

Chief Arbiter: IA Uttam Dhungel

Deputy Chief Arbiter: FA Michael Corrie

Arbiters: Ruonan Cao, Peter Lambert and Huaicheng Su

Pairings and Results

Chess-Results publishes the registered players, pairings, standings and results:

https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1465168.aspx?lan=1&flag=30&turdet=YES&SNode=S0

Finally, players should review both the official tournament page and Chess-Results before travelling. The organizer may update the entry list, practical information or tournament conditions.