The Southall FIDE Congress – November 2026 will take place on November 14–15, 2026, at Parkside Yards in Southall, West London. London Chess Congress organizes this two-day classical event with three separate playing sections: U2400, U1900, and U1600.

All sections play five Swiss-system rounds at a time control of 60 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one. Moreover, all three sections count for both FIDE Standard and ECF rating. The schedule includes two rounds on Saturday and three on Sunday, while a 30-minute default time applies throughout the congress.

The published base prize fund is £720 (approximately $970), with £240 allocated to each section. However, the organizer adds a £60 third prize when a section exceeds 25 players, while sections with fewer than 10 participants receive reduced prizes. Therefore, the total cash fund can vary with participation and can reach £900 (approximately $1,210) if all three sections qualify for the additional third prize.

♟️ Event Details

The Southall Congress follows a compact weekend format and combines FIDE-rated classical chess with multiple rating sections. In addition, players can enter the full congress or use the published one-day options.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

All three sections use the same classical time control. Each player receives 60 minutes for the game plus a 30-second increment after every move from move one.

A player who arrives more than 30 minutes after the scheduled round start risks losing the game by default.

Moreover, the organizer uses FIDE Standard ratings when assigning players to sections. ECF ratings do not determine section placement.

Byes

Players may request a maximum of two half-point byes during the congress.

The registration form offers half-point byes for Rounds 1–4. However, Round 5 does not offer a half-point bye; instead, the form treats Round 5 absence as withdrawal.

Therefore, players who already know that they must miss a round should indicate the relevant bye when registering.

🏆 Prize Fund

The English Chess Federation lists a £720 prize fund, while the organizer describes the structure as £240 in each of the three sections.

Standard Prize Structure

Across three sections, these first- and second-place awards total £720 (approximately $970).

Conditional Third Prize

When a section attracts more than 25 players, the organizer adds:

Consequently, a section with more than 25 entrants can offer £300 in cash prizes instead of £240.

If all three sections meet that condition, the combined cash payout can reach £900 (approximately $1,210).

Small Sections

If a section attracts fewer than 10 players, the organizer states that the prizes for that section will be halved.

Therefore, the £720 headline should not be interpreted as an unconditional guaranteed minimum regardless of participation.

Tied Scores

London Chess Congress does not use tiebreaks to decide who receives the prize money.

Instead, players who finish on the same score share the applicable prize money equally. Moreover, the organizer reserves the right to adjust prize distribution when necessary.

Prize winners receive an email after the final standings become official. The organizer normally processes prize payments on the Monday or Tuesday after the weekend event.

Approximate USD equivalents use the current GBP/USD reference rate and are rounded upward to the next $10.

🧩 Sections / Groups

The congress offers three rating sections. However, the organizer uses FIDE Standard ratings rather than ECF ratings when deciding section eligibility.

Published Entry Matrix

The form publishes the bands 1750–1899 and 1600–1750, so the rating 1750 appears at the boundary of both published rows. Therefore, a player exactly on that boundary should follow the organizer’s final section assignment.

Play-Ups

Players can enter a higher eligible section under the published fee structure.

For example, a player rated 1750–1899 may enter U1900 for £40 or play in U2400 for £50. Meanwhile, players in lower rating bands may face a larger play-up charge.

The organizer may also merge sections if participation requires it. However, players should follow the final section structure published before Round 1.

🗓️ Schedule

The congress begins on Saturday afternoon. It then concludes with three rounds on Sunday.

Saturday, November 14

Sunday, November 15

The ECF listing gives the overall event window as Saturday 13:30 through Sunday 19:30.

Because Sunday contains three classical games, players should plan meals, transport, and energy carefully. In particular, Round 5 begins at 17:00, so the final games can continue into the evening.

📝 Registration

Players register through the official Southall FIDE Congress entry form.

Official registration:

https://form.jotform.com/232021024662340

The organizer adds players to the entrants list after receiving the correct payment. Moreover, the registration form states that this process can take approximately 24–48 hours.

Standard Entry Fees

The £35 U18/60+ rate applies when the player has a FIDE Standard rating and competes in their own rating section.

If an eligible U18 or 60+ player chooses a higher section, the organizer adds a £15 play-up fee (approximately $30).

One-Day Entry

Players who cannot attend the entire congress can choose a one-day option.

ECF Membership and Pay-to-Play

The current registration form states that ECF Gold membership is mandatory for the standard included rating arrangements.

Players who do not hold ECF Gold, as well as non-ENG federation players where applicable under the organizer’s rules, must pay a £16 Pay-to-Play fee (approximately $30).

Players should use the amount shown on the current entry form because older FAQ text on the organizer’s website still refers to £15.

FIDE ID

The registration form asks players for a FIDE ID and a FIDE Standard rating.

English players who need a FIDE ID should obtain one through the English Chess Federation. Meanwhile, players registered with another federation should use the FIDE ID issued through their own national federation.

Payment and Confirmation

Players must complete both registration and payment.

The organizer states that players who do not pay the correct fee will not enter the Round 1 pairings.

After payment reaches the organizer, the participant’s name normally appears on the published entrant list within approximately 24–48 hours.

Refunds

London Chess Congress allows players to transfer an entry fee to the next congress.

Alternatively, players can request a refund. In that case, the organizer deducts a £5 administration fee (approximately $10).

👥 Organizer

London Chess Congress organizes the regular Southall FIDE Congress series. International Arbiter and International Organizer Sainbayar Tserendorj leads the event.

For WhatsApp enquiries, the organizer also publishes:

+44 7446 364665

Tournament Officials

Chess-Results currently lists the following November officials:

📍 Venue

The tournament takes place at Parkside Yards – 1 Seva Drive, Southall UB1 1GH, United Kingdom.

Parkside Yards forms part of The Green Quarter development in Southall. The site combines community spaces, cafés, food outlets, creative venues, recreation, and landscaped areas.

Moreover, the tournament organizer states that pizza and coffee will be available at the venue. Players and accompanying visitors can also use the café area as a waiting space.

Parking

Parkside Yards itself states that visitors currently receive three hours of free parking, subject to the signs displayed in the car park.

However, the tournament organizer separately recommends the ParkPCM system and currently quotes £4.30 for eight hours, while also warning players to check maximum-stay restrictions and move the car when required.

Therefore, drivers should follow the current on-site signage and parking app rules on tournament weekend, because the venue and organizer information do not describe the long-stay conditions in exactly the same way.

🏨 Accommodation

The organizer does not advertise an official tournament hotel or special room block. However, several hotels operate in Southall close to the station and town center.

Pacific Inn London Heathrow

Pacific Inn London Heathrow – 60–66 The Broadway, Southall UB1 1QB

This budget hotel sits in central Southall. Current public listings show rooms at roughly the £35–40 range (approximately $50), although the exact November 14–15 rate may differ.

The Broadway Hotel – London Heathrow

The Broadway Hotel – London Heathrow – 1A–3A The Broadway, Southall UB1 1JR

This property also sits on The Broadway in Southall. Current public listings show indicative prices around £80–85 per room (approximately $110).

Hotel rates can change substantially by date, occupancy, and cancellation terms. Therefore, players should check the exact tournament-weekend price before booking.

🚆 How to Get There

Parkside Yards lies close to Southall station and has particularly convenient access through the Elizabeth line.

By Train / Elizabeth Line

Southall station is the most useful rail stop for the tournament.

Parkside Yards states that the venue is approximately a 10-minute walk from Southall station.

After leaving the station, cross the road and follow The Straight. Continue toward the roundabout, turn right, and follow the signs toward Parkside Yards and Seva Drive.

From Central London

The Elizabeth line provides direct access to Southall from central London stations.

Therefore, players traveling from central London can reach Southall without relying on a car. They should still check weekend engineering notices shortly before the tournament.

From Heathrow Airport

The Elizabeth line also connects Heathrow Airport with Southall.

Consequently, international visitors arriving at Heathrow can travel toward Southall by rail and then walk approximately ten minutes from the station to Parkside Yards.

Players should check the service for their specific airport terminal before traveling.

By Car

Drivers approaching from Beaconsfield Road should follow signs for The Green Quarter and enter through Cedrus Avenue or Accolade Avenue.

Drivers approaching from South Road can turn into The Straight, opposite Southall station, and then follow signs toward Seva Drive.

Parkside Yards specifically advises drivers not to rely on a route through the A312 Western Access, because that entrance does not provide public access.

Use:

Parkside Yards – 1 Seva Drive, Southall UB1 1GH

ℹ️ Other Information

Chess-Results

Separate Chess-Results pages already exist for all three November sections:

U2400
https://chess-results.com/tnr1459746.aspx?lan=1

U1900
https://chess-results.com/tnr1459745.aspx?lan=1

U1600
https://chess-results.com/tnr1459747.aspx?lan=1

Chess-Results confirms the November 14–15 dates, five-round Swiss format, 60+30 time control, and both international and national rating calculation.

Monthly Southall Congress Series

The November tournament forms part of the recurring Southall FIDE Congress series rather than a once-a-year event.

London Chess Congress has staged multiple Southall weekend events throughout 2026 and has published separate editions for September, October, November, and December. Earlier 2026 results also remain available through Chess-Results.

Therefore, regular players can return to a familiar venue and tournament structure while competing in a fresh FIDE-rated event each month.

Prize Payments

After the organizer confirms the final results, prize winners receive an email with the relevant amount.

London Chess Congress asks winners to reply directly to that prize email with the required payment information. The organizer normally processes the payments on the Monday or Tuesday after the tournament weekend.

Photography

The official registration form asks entrants to consent to photographs or video taken during the congress for publicity purposes.

Players should therefore review that consent when completing the entry form.

Important

Players should verify their FIDE Standard rating, correct section, ECF membership level, entry fee, requested byes, and payment status before tournament weekend.

Because the organizer uses FIDE Standard ratings rather than ECF ratings for section assignment, players near a rating boundary should check the accepted entrant list after registration.