Kicking off the Canadian chess year in style, the New Year Open 2026, held from January 2-4, 2026, in Roma Hall, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, is a 9-round CFC-rated Swiss tournament organized by Lulu Island Chess. With a guaranteed $5000 cash prize fund, multiple rating sections, and a Sunday evening blitz event, it’s designed for ambitious club players and titled guests alike.

Played over three full days with a classical 50+10 time control, the event offers Premier, U1800, and U1300 sections, generous top-female prizes in each group, and strong organizational standards. Roma Hall provides an all-day free parking setup and a comfortable hall for long classical games, making this an attractive New Year destination for players from across the Lower Mainland and beyond.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

Overall Guaranteed Cash Prizes

Prizes are guaranteed and awarded separately in each section, with dedicated Top Female awards that include both cash and plaques.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

• Main event time control: 50 minutes + 10 seconds increment per move for all rounds.
• 9 rounds, Swiss-system pairing across three sections.
• Late default time: forfeit after 30 minutes from the scheduled start of each round.
• Tie-break order:

1. Head-to-Head

2. Cumulative Score

3. Opposition Cumulative Score

📂 Sections / Groups

📅 Schedule

Main Tournament & Blitz

📝 Registration

• Information & registration page:
https://www.luluislandchess.com/newyearopen2026

• Entry fees (main event):
• Early Bird: $120 (on or before December 1)
• Regular: $140 (after December 1)

• Blitz entry: $30 (January 4, 6:30 p.m.).

• Titled player offers:
• Free entry for GM/IM/WGM/WIM (valid for first 5 registrants, before January 1)
• 50% off for NM/CM/WCM/FM/WFM – email to request code

• Play-up fee: $50 (within 200 points of the section, based on the current CFC rating).

• Refund policy:
• Full refund on or before December 1, 2025
• 50% refund until December 24, 2025
• No refund after that date (regardless of weather).

For discount codes and special conditions, contact the organizer by email (see Organizer section).

👥 Organizer

The tournament is organized by Lulu Island Chess, a Lower Mainland organizer focused on high-quality classical events and local chess community development.

Contacts:
• Website: https://www.luluislandchess.com/
• Email (tournament contact): ryanleong@luluislandchess.com

🏨 Venue

Roma Hall
940 Ewen Ave, New Westminster, BC V3M 5C8, Canada

The hall offers a spacious playing area with all-day free parking directly at the venue.

🛎️ Accommodation

No official hotel packages are provided. Players can choose from hotels and short-term stays in New Westminster and the greater Metro Vancouver area according to their preferences and budget.

🚗 How to Get There

Roma Hall is located in New Westminster, British Columbia, with all-day free parking available for participants. Players are encouraged to arrive early for each round to allow for check-in and setup in the playing hall.

Start your chess year with nine serious classical games, a guaranteed prize fund, and an energetic blitz finale at the New Year Open 2026 in New Westminster!

🧾 Other

• CFC membership required for all players; if you do not have a CFC membership, you must register through
https://www.chess.ca/en/players/membership-join/
• Do not bring food into the playing area.
• Take photos only during the first five minutes of each round, and do so discreetly to avoid disturbing players.
• Keep complete silence in the tournament hall while games are in progress.
• Fully power off all electronic devices capable of making noise, communication, or chess play (including smart watches) and store them away while playing.
• Ensure that any child under 13 remains accompanied by a parent or guardian on the premises at all times.
• By registering, you give the organizers permission to take photos of you during the event and use them as needed.