The Stroud Rapid Play – Winter 2026 takes place in Stroud, Gloucestershire, on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Organized by Stroud Chess Club, the tournament offers a full day of ECF-rated Rapid chess at St Matthew’s Church Hall in Cainscross, with a field limited to 72 players.

The competition is a 7-round Swiss tournament played as one Open section at 15 minutes + 5 seconds per move. The organizer has increased the prizes for the Winter edition, with £150 for first place, £100 for second and £60 for third, alongside numerous £40 rating prizes and a £40 junior prize.

The event runs from 10:20 to approximately 17:40. Entry is first come, first served, while players holding the CM/WCM title or higher receive free entry. Limited travel assistance may also be available to titled players on request.

♟️ Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament consists of 7 rounds using the Swiss System, with all players competing in a single Open section.

Each player receives 15 minutes for the game plus a 5-second increment after every move. The tournament is rated for the English Chess Federation Rapid rating system rather than FIDE Rapid rating.

The organizer will use the November 2026 ECF Rapid ratings. When a player does not have an established rating, the organizer may assign an estimated playing strength where possible.

Pairings and tournament administration are handled through Swiss-Manager. The live participant list, pairings and results are available through Chess-Results.

🏆 Prize Fund

The Winter tournament has increased its main and rating prizes compared with earlier Stroud Rapid events.

The Junior Prize is available to players aged 18 or under on November 1, 2026.

The organizer advertises multiple rating prizes across different rating ranges. However, the exact number and boundaries of those categories are not fixed on the public tournament page.

Prize money is also linked to participation. The organizer reserves the right to reduce the prize fund if fewer than 40 players enter.

👥 Sections / Groups

The tournament has one Open playing section rather than separate rating groups.

All entrants compete together over seven rounds. Rating categories are used for prize purposes only and should not be treated as separate tournament sections.

The event is open to players across a broad range of playing strengths. Titled players holding CM, WCM or a higher title receive free entry.

📅 Schedule

Saturday, November 7

Players travelling from outside Stroud should allow sufficient time to locate the hall before the 10:20 first round.

📝 Registration

Entry is limited to 72 players and places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Official Entry Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdz53X-FuVtwXNpTV4sW5MU2NNvni5FENMuFQJRy-WUZlZ1pQ/viewform

Entry Fees

The organizer also offers limited travel assistance for titled players. Players interested in this support should contact the organizer before making travel arrangements because assistance is limited and not automatic.

No fixed registration deadline is published. Since the tournament has a strict 72-player limit, players should secure their entry before making non-refundable travel arrangements.

If a player later withdraws, the organizer states that a refund will be paid if a replacement player is found.

Because registration is handled externally, the official registration URL should be used from this section rather than through a MyChess.Events internal REGISTER button.

👤 Organizer

Official Website:
https://www.stroudchess.club/

📍 Venue

St Matthew’s Church Hall – Church Road, Cainscross, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 4JE, United Kingdom.

The organizer provides useful instructions for finding the playing hall. Enter through the St Matthew’s Church gates, walk down the path and turn right at the end; the hall is directly ahead.

The venue is wheelchair-friendly and has an accessible toilet.

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available on a donation basis. Players are encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle, while several local food options are within walking distance.

🏨 Accommodation

No official tournament hotel has been announced. Players travelling from outside Gloucestershire can use accommodation in Cainscross or central Stroud.

These are indicative current rates rather than tournament prices. Actual November rates can change according to room type, demand and cancellation conditions.

🚆 How to Get There

By Train

Stroud railway station is the main rail gateway for the tournament. The station is on the Great Western Railway route through Gloucestershire and is served by trains on the main corridor linking London Paddington, Swindon, Stroud, Stonehouse, Gloucester and Cheltenham.

The tournament postcode is approximately 1.8 km from Stroud station. A taxi is the simplest option for players carrying bags, while local buses can also be used toward Cainscross.

Players travelling from London should check the current GWR timetable for services from London Paddington to Stroud before departure.

From Bristol Airport

For international visitors, Bristol Airport is one of the most practical airports for reaching Stroud.

The A1 Bristol Airport Flyer links the airport with Bristol Temple Meads railway station throughout the day. From Temple Meads, continue by rail toward Stroud, checking the live rail planner for the most convenient service and any required connection.

Because the first round begins at 10:20, international visitors are better served by arriving in the area the previous evening rather than relying on an early-morning flight connection.

By Bus

Stagecoach operates local routes throughout Stroud and the surrounding area. Service 67 runs between Stroud and Cashes Green and passes through Cainscross, making it useful for reaching the tournament area from central Stroud.

Players should check the current Saturday timetable before travelling because local schedules can change.

By Car

Limited parking is available directly at the venue.

The organizer recommends nearby street parking when appropriate and also identifies Victory Park car park, around the corner from the hall, as an alternative. Stroud District Council lists Victory Park among the area’s public parking options.

Drivers should leave enough time to park and walk to the hall before Round 1.

Venue Access

Do not stop simply at the front of St Matthew’s Church when looking for the tournament hall. Enter the church gates, follow the path and turn right at the end. St Matthew’s Church Hall is straight ahead.

ℹ️ Other Information

Mobile Devices: Phones and other mobile devices must be switched off and unreachable during games. Failure to comply may result in expulsion from that round.

Smoking and Vaping: Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited within the venue and its grounds.

Prize Adjustment: The organizer may reduce the prize fund if the final field contains fewer than 40 players.

Entry Decisions: The organizer reserves the right to refuse an entry without giving a reason. Decisions made by the organizer and arbiter are final.

Cancellation / Withdrawal: A withdrawal refund is available when a replacement player can be found.

Junior Supervision: Responsibility for supervising children remains with their parent or guardian.

Photography and Data: Player details are used for tournament administration and future event communication. Players may request updates or deletion of their stored information and may opt out of photography or publication where applicable.

Live Tournament Information:
https://chess-results.com/tnr1494090.aspx?lan=1