The Northampton FIDE Congress November 2026 will take place on November 21–22, 2026, at the University of Northampton Waterside Campus. Chess England continues its popular Northampton weekend series with five rounds of classical chess across four rating sections.
The congress offers U2400, U1900, U1600, and ECF U1400 groups. The first three sections receive both FIDE Standard and ECF Standard rating. Meanwhile, the U1400 section receives ECF Standard rating only. Every round uses a classical time control of 60 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one.
The organizer guarantees £1,260 in cash prizes (approximately $1,690) across the four sections. In addition, players may request up to two half-point byes before the final round. The University’s Learning Hub provides the playing rooms, while the on-campus Sunley Hotel offers a special chess rate for visiting players.
♟️ Event Details
The Northampton FIDE Congress November 2026 combines a compact two-day schedule with multiple rating groups and guaranteed cash prizes.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏷️ Title | Northampton FIDE Congress November 2026 |
| 📅 Dates | November 21–22, 2026 |
| 🌎 Country | England, United Kingdom |
| 📍 City | Northampton |
| 🏛️ Venue | University of Northampton Waterside Campus – Learning Hub, University Drive, Northampton NN1 5PH |
| 👥 Organizer | Chess England |
| 👤 Organizers / Arbiters | Adam Raoof IA; Rob Hammond FA |
| ♟️ Format | Classical, Swiss System |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 |
| 🧩 Sections | U2400, U1900, U1600, ECF U1400 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 60 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE + ECF in top three sections; ECF only in U1400 |
| 💰 Guaranteed Prize Fund | £1,260 (approx. $1,690) |
| 🏢 Playing Rooms | Learning Hub LH013 & LH014 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
All four sections play five Swiss-system rounds.
Each player starts with 60 minutes and receives a 30-second increment after every move from move one.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| System | Swiss System |
| Rounds | 5 |
| Time Control | 60+30 |
| Saturday Rounds | 3 |
| Sunday Rounds | 2 |
The top three sections receive international and national rating calculation. However, the U1400 section receives ECF Standard rating only.
Half-Point Byes
Players may request up to two half-point byes.
They can select the relevant rounds on the official entry form. However, a half-point bye is not available in Round 5.
Therefore, players who know that they must miss part of the weekend can still enter without automatically losing every missed game.
🏆 Prize Fund
Chess England guarantees the complete published prize structure regardless of the final entry.
The four sections offer a combined £1,260 (approximately $1,690).
U2400
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | £200 (approx. $270) |
| 2nd | £100 (approx. $140) |
| 3rd | £50 (approx. $70) |
The U2400 section therefore offers £350.
U1900
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | £200 (approx. $270) |
| 2nd | £100 (approx. $140) |
| 3rd | £50 (approx. $70) |
The U1900 section also offers £350.
U1600
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | £160 (approx. $220) |
| 2nd | £80 (approx. $110) |
| 3rd | £40 (approx. $60) |
The U1600 section offers £280.
ECF U1400
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | £160 (approx. $220) |
| 2nd | £80 (approx. $110) |
| 3rd | £40 (approx. $60) |
The ECF U1400 section also offers £280.
Tied Prizes
The organizer does not use tiebreaks to divide cash prizes.
Instead, players who finish level on points share the relevant prize money equally.
Therefore, the complete published £1,260 remains the guaranteed cash allocation even when several players tie for a prize.
🧩 Sections / Groups
The congress offers four rating groups.
| Section | Rating Status |
|---|---|
| U2400 | FIDE Standard + ECF Standard |
| U1900 | FIDE Standard + ECF Standard |
| U1600 | FIDE Standard + ECF Standard |
| ECF U1400 | ECF Standard only |
Rating Limits
For the top three sections, players must satisfy the relevant rating ceiling in both the applicable FIDE Standard rating and the latest ECF Standard list.
Therefore, the organizer can move an entrant when a rating update changes section eligibility.
The registration form specifically warns that section assignments remain subject to change after the first day of the month because of updated FIDE ratings.
ECF U1400
The lowest section uses the ECF rating system only.
However, the organizer adds an important restriction:
If a player has a FIDE Standard rating of 1400 or higher, they should enter the U1600 section rather than the ECF U1400.
This rule keeps the U1400 section focused on developing players who fall below that international-rating threshold.
🗓️ Schedule
The congress runs three rounds on Saturday and two rounds on Sunday.
Saturday, November 21
| Round | Time |
|---|---|
| Round 1 | 10:30–13:30 |
| Round 2 | 14:00–17:00 |
| Round 3 | 17:30–20:30 |
Sunday, November 22
| Round | Time |
|---|---|
| Round 4 | 11:00–14:00 |
| Round 5 | 14:30–17:30 |
Saturday therefore contains three full classical games. Players should plan meals and breaks around the short intervals between rounds.
Sunday starts slightly later at 11:00 and concludes at approximately 17:30.
📝 Registration
Players should register through the official Chess England Jotform.
Official entry:
https://form.jotform.com/231114495377963
Entry Fee
| Entry | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard Entry | £50 (approx. $70) |
| Current Non-Gold Supplement on Entry Form | £17 (approx. $30) |
The live registration form currently states that players with ECF Gold or Platinum membership avoid the additional supplement.
Meanwhile, Bronze members, Supporters, and non-members must currently add £17 through the organizer’s form.
ECF Pay-to-Play Note
The official ECF 2026/27 fee schedule publishes a Congress Pay-to-Play rate of:
- £16 for adults
- £7 for juniors
That published ECF rate differs from the £17 currently charged by the tournament’s live registration form.
Therefore, players should use the amount actually displayed on the live Northampton entry form when making payment and contact the organizer if they need clarification.
Player Information
The entry form asks players to provide:
- full name;
- email;
- date of birth;
- club, county, or FIDE federation;
- FIDE ID;
- FIDE Standard rating;
- ECF membership code;
- ECF rating code;
- ECF Standard rating;
- requested half-point byes;
- mobile telephone number.
Players entering a FIDE-rated section should provide their FIDE ID.
Payment
The organizer accepts online card payment through the registration form.
Bank transfer is also available to Chess England Limited. The official form provides the current banking details.
Unpaid registrations may not be treated as confirmed entries.
👥 Organizer
Chess England organizes the Northampton FIDE Congress series.
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| 👥 Organizer Name | Chess England |
| 👤 Contact Person | Adam Raoof |
| ✉️ Email | adamraoof@gmail.com |
| ☎️ Phone | +44 7855 036537 |
Adam Raoof and Rob Hammond jointly organize and arbitrate the Northampton event.
Adam Raoof holds the FIDE International Arbiter title, while Rob Hammond holds the FIDE Arbiter title.
📍 Venue
The tournament takes place at:
University of Northampton Waterside Campus – Learning Hub, University Drive, Northampton NN1 5PH, United Kingdom
The November event uses rooms LH013 and LH014 on the ground floor of the Learning Hub.
The organizer highlights several useful campus facilities for players and accompanying family members. These include:
- a spacious indoor lobby;
- seating for parents and accompanying visitors;
- power points;
- free Wi-Fi;
- nearby shops and food options;
- a large modern university campus.
The tournament entrance to the Learning Hub is also published under the What3Words reference:
rinse.bigger.advice
Parking
The University currently charges visitors £1.50 for the whole day on Saturday or Sunday.
Visitors can pay through RingGo. The University’s current visitor parking code is 24700.
Parking spaces remain subject to availability.
The organizer advises drivers to use directions toward Sunley Hotel when approaching the campus car parks.
Blue Badge holders can access appropriate campus parking under the University’s accessibility arrangements.
🏨 Accommodation
Chess England recommends the Sunley Hotel, which sits directly on the University of Northampton Waterside Campus.
Sunley Hotel – University of Northampton Waterside Campus, New South Bridge Road, Northampton NN4 8RR, United Kingdom
Chess Rate
The organizer publishes a special chess rate of:
£70 per room per night (approximately $100), excluding breakfast
The same room price applies for single or double occupancy.
Players should contact the hotel and mention the chess tournament / Chess2026 when booking.
Email:
The hotel also provides free overnight parking for guests, subject to availability.
Because Sunley Hotel sits on the same Waterside Campus, it offers the simplest accommodation option for players who want to avoid additional travel before Saturday and Sunday rounds.
🚆 How to Get There
The University of Northampton Waterside Campus sits close to Northampton town center and approximately one mile from Northampton Railway Station.
By Train
Northampton Railway Station has direct rail connections with both London and Birmingham.
The University states that typical rail journeys are approximately:
- around one hour from London;
- around one hour from Birmingham.
The campus lies approximately 10–15 minutes from the station by walking or cycling, according to the University’s travel information.
Weekend Bus Connection
The weekday number 18 university bus does not operate as the normal weekend connection.
At weekends, the University recommends walking from the railway station toward Northgate Bus Station and then using the Stagecoach 4 / 4A service toward Waterside.
The 4 / 4A service runs regularly from the town center.
On Foot
Waterside Campus also connects with the town center through the pedestrian bridge near Becket’s Park.
The University describes the town center as roughly 5–10 minutes on foot from campus.
By Car
Use:
University of Northampton Waterside Campus – University Drive, Northampton NN1 5PH
For access to the west side of campus, including the Learning Hub, use the appropriate Waterside entrance.
The University operates the site as a no-through campus. Therefore, drivers should follow the signs for the correct parking area rather than attempting to drive across the campus.
ℹ️ Other Information
FIDE Rating
FIDE has registered November 2026 events for the:
- U2400 section;
- U1900 section;
- U1600 section.
The ECF U1400 remains a national-rating section only.
The organizer had already used the same four-section model at earlier Northampton congresses during 2026.
Northampton Congress Series
The November tournament forms part of a recurring Chess England series at the University of Northampton.
The organizer previously described the event as the East Midlands congress before continuing it under the Northampton FIDE Congress name.
Several Northampton weekends took place during 2026, including events in February/March, March, May, and July.
Therefore, the November event continues an established format rather than introducing a new one.
Earlier 2026 Events
The July 2026 Northampton Congress used the same:
- four-section structure;
- five-round Swiss format;
- 60+30 time control;
- Learning Hub venue;
- guaranteed prize model.
For example, the July U2400 section received both FIDE and ECF rating, while the U1400 group received ECF rating only.
Venue Facilities
The Waterside Campus provides free Wi-Fi and extensive seating.
Moreover, the organizer notes that a Morrisons supermarket sits nearby, while Northampton town center lies within walking distance.
These facilities can be particularly useful for parents and companions waiting between rounds.
Important
Players should verify their latest FIDE Standard rating, ECF Standard rating, section eligibility, ECF membership status, FIDE ID, entry payment, and requested byes before the tournament.
In particular, players should remember that section eligibility can change after a new monthly rating list appears.
Players entering the U1400 should also check the FIDE rule published by the organizer: anyone with a FIDE Standard rating of 1400 or higher should enter the U1600 instead.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $1,690
Organizer
♟️ About Adam Raoof
Adam Nasim Raoof is an English chess organizer, International Arbiter, International Organizer, coach, and tournament director based in London. He is the driving force behind Chess England, through which he organizes a large calendar of FIDE-rated and English Chess Federation-rated tournaments in London and other parts of England. His events include classical congresses, rapid tournaments, blitz competitions, club championships, and accessible rating-limited sections for developing players.
Raoof has decades of experience in tournament organization and chess administration. FIDE awarded him the International Organizer title in 2001, the FIDE Arbiter title in 2005, and the International Arbiter title in 2013. His current arbiter license is International Arbiter Category C. In addition, he serves as the Manager of Arbiters for the English Chess Federation, giving him a current national role in the development and administration of English chess arbiting.
Alongside tournament organization, Raoof remains active as a chess player and coach. His work covers adult and junior instruction, tournament preparation, online coaching, and organized competitive chess. Through Chess England, he has built a particularly active tournament network that gives players frequent opportunities to compete for FIDE and ECF ratings without having to wait for a small number of major annual congresses.
🧑⚖️ International Arbiter and Organizer
Adam Raoof has held official FIDE organizing and arbiting credentials for many years.
He became a FIDE International Organizer in 2001, followed by the FIDE Arbiter title in 2005. At the 84th FIDE Congress in Tallinn in 2013, his International Arbiter title was formally approved.
FIDE currently lists him as a licensed Category C International Arbiter.
Raoof regularly serves both as Tournament Director and Chief Arbiter. This combination allows him to manage events from initial planning and registration through pairings, tournament regulations, player communication, arbiting, results publication, and final rating submission.
In 2026, he also serves as Manager of Arbiters for the English Chess Federation. In this role, he handles matters relating to ECF arbiters and enquiries concerning the FIDE Arbiter Licence Scheme.
🏆 Chess England
Chess England is the principal platform through which Adam Raoof organizes tournaments.
The current operation is supported by Chess England Limited, which was incorporated in England in 2019. Raoof serves as a Director of the company.
Chess England’s tournament model emphasizes frequent rated competition. Instead of focusing on a single annual festival, the program includes events throughout the year at several venues.
Many tournaments are divided by rating. Stronger players can enter Open or higher-rated sections, while improving competitors can select Major, Minor, Under-1600, Under-1400, or similar sections depending on the event.
Most of the leading sections are rated by both FIDE and the English Chess Federation.
⚡ Golders Green FIDE Rapid
The Golders Green FIDE Rapid is one of Adam Raoof’s longest-running tournament projects.
The series offers regular rapid chess in London and has become a recurring part of the Chess England calendar.
Typical editions use a six-round Swiss system with a rapid time control of 20 minutes plus a 5-second increment per move.
Events are divided into rating sections, which allows players ranging from experienced competitors to developing club players to participate in appropriately matched groups.
The tournaments are submitted for FIDE and ECF rapid rating.
♟️ Muswell Hill FIDE Chess
The Muswell Hill FIDE Chess series provides another regular tournament opportunity in North London.
Events are held at The Clissold Arms in East Finchley and include both rapid and standard-play formats.
The rapid competition normally consists of six rounds, while standard-play days provide longer FIDE-rated games.
Chess England also organizes multi-day Muswell Hill FIDE Congresses. The October 27–28, 2026 congress, for example, consists of four standard-rated games played over two days.
Raoof acts as organizer and principal tournament contact throughout the series.
🏆 Northampton FIDE Congress
Adam Raoof and Chess England also organize recurring FIDE congresses at the University of Northampton, Waterside Campus.
The July 2026 Northampton FIDE Congress featured four rating sections:
- Under 2400
- Under 1900
- Under 1600
- ECF Under 1400
The first three sections were designed for FIDE and ECF standard rating, while the Under-1400 competition provided an additional entry point for developing players.
The congress used five Swiss rounds over a weekend with a time control of 60 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move.
A further Northampton FIDE Congress is scheduled for November 2026.
🏙️ London FIDE Congresses
Raoof’s 2026 schedule includes tournaments at several distinctive London venues.
The Silvertown FIDE Congress took place at the Tate Institute in July 2026 and offered Under-2400, Under-1900, Under-1600, and ECF Under-1400 sections.
Chess England also organizes congresses at the Army & Navy Club on Pall Mall. These events bring FIDE-rated classical chess into a central London venue and include Open and rating-restricted competitions.
Hendon provides another regular base. Raoof organizes the Hendon FIDE Blitz as well as the Hendon FIDE Club Championship, with events played at Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club in West Hampstead.
Together, these projects create a dense London tournament schedule covering classical, rapid, and blitz chess.
🌍 International Tournament Activity
Chess England’s activity also extends outside the United Kingdom.
In 2026, Adam Raoof is Chief Arbiter of the Rotterdam FIDE Congress, organized jointly by Chess England and Chessmates International.
The October 9–11 event includes Open, Under-1900, and Under-1650 sections and is rated nationally and internationally.
The tournament demonstrates the wider reach of the Chess England model, combining Raoof’s tournament organization and arbiting experience with local European partners.
🎓 Coaching and Player Development
Coaching remains an important part of Adam Raoof’s chess work.
The English Chess Federation currently lists him among its Advanced registered coaches for the London region.
His coaching formats include work in schools, training groups for children, adult groups, and online instruction.
The ECF also identifies Raoof with the Steps Method, a structured chess-training system widely used for progressive chess instruction.
His tournament program complements this coaching work. Players can move from instruction and casual play into rapid tournaments, rating-limited congress sections, and eventually stronger FIDE-rated competition.
🤝 Accessible Competitive Chess
A notable feature of Raoof’s events is the effort to provide competition for a wide range of playing strengths.
Many Chess England congresses include lower-rated sections alongside their main tournaments. This reduces the rating gap for developing players and provides a more suitable environment for those beginning serious tournament chess.
Several events are also identified by the English Chess Federation as disability-friendly.
Clear tournament information, online entry forms, published schedules, rating requirements, and direct organizer contact are recurring features across the calendar.
As a result, Chess England provides both experienced tournament players and newcomers with frequent opportunities to play formally rated over-the-board chess.
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