Keres Memorial 2026 returns on May 16-18, 2026 in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada with the historic 50th edition of this annual multi-section long-play tournament. Fraser Valley Chess welcomes competitive players across four rating-based sections and runs six rounds at a consistent classical time control with increment. The tournament offers a deep cash prize structure across sections and rating prizes, and it also includes a celebration buffet and awards ceremony for section winners. If you want a serious over-the-board weekend with clear scheduling and meaningful prizes at multiple levels, this event delivers.
Richmond Curling Club hosts the full weekend in its main arena, and the venue supports accessibility and on-site concessions. The tournament awards cash prizes by section and additional rating-category prizes, and it presents trophies and e-certificates at the end-of-event ceremony. The organizers add an unrated open blitz side event on Sunday afternoon for players who want extra games between classical rounds. Register online in advance, choose your section carefully, and plan for two rounds on Saturday and Sunday before the final Monday finish.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | May 16-18, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Richmond, British Columbia, Canada |
| 📂 Sections | Premier (FIDE & CFC rated); U2000 (FIDE & CFC rated); U1500 (CFC rated); U1100 (CFC rated) |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated (Premier, U2000); CFC rated (all sections as listed) |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes + 30-second increment per move (6 rounds) |
| 💳 Entry fee | CAD $110 + GST (early bird through March 31, 2026); CAD $125 + GST (through May 15, 2026) |
| 💰 Prize fund | CAD $7,500 cash (confirmed) |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | The organizers do not offer on-site registration. The organizers offer play-up fees and a family discount, and they waive entry for players rated 2300+ who register by the early-bird deadline under the stated prize-deduction condition. |
🏆 Prize Fund
Premier Section
| Category | Place | Cash prize |
|---|---|---|
| Premier | 1st | $1,375 |
| Premier | 2nd | $825 |
| Premier | 3rd | $450 |
| U2200 (within Premier) | 1st | $450 |
| U2200 (within Premier) | 2nd | $275 |
| U2200 (within Premier) | 3rd | $125 |
U2000 Section
| Category | Place | Cash prize |
|---|---|---|
| U2000 | 1st | $750 |
| U2000 | 2nd | $400 |
| U2000 | 3rd | $250 |
| U1800 (within U2000) | 1st | $275 |
| U1800 (within U2000) | 2nd | $175 |
| U1800 (within U2000) | 3rd | $120 |
U1500 Section
| Category | Place | Cash prize |
|---|---|---|
| U1500 | 1st | $375 |
| U1500 | 2nd | $250 |
| U1500 | 3rd | $180 |
| U1300 (within U1500) | 1st | $200 |
| U1300 (within U1500) | 2nd | $125 |
| U1300 (within U1500) | 3rd | $100 |
U1100 Section
| Category | Place | Cash prize |
|---|---|---|
| U1100 | 1st | $200 |
| U1100 | 2nd | $150 |
| U1100 | 3rd | $100 |
| U800 (within U1100) | 1st | $100 |
| U800 (within U1100) | 2nd | $75 |
| Unrated | 1st | $100 |
| Unrated | 2nd | $75 |
The organizers award trophies and e-certificates alongside cash prizes during the end-of-event prize ceremony. The organizers may pay prizes by e-transfer within a week if a winner cannot attend the ceremony.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament runs six rounds at 90 minutes per player with a 30-second increment per move. The organizers set a one-hour forfeit time from the scheduled start. The organizers restrict draw offers until players complete 30 moves.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Premier | Open section | The organizers rate this section for FIDE and CFC. |
| U2000 | Under 2000 | The organizers rate this section for FIDE and CFC. |
| U1500 | Under 1500 | The organizers rate this section for CFC. |
| U1100 | Under 1100 | The organizers rate this section for CFC. |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2026 | Saturday | 11:00 AM | Round 1 |
| May 16, 2026 | Saturday | 4:00 PM | Round 2 |
| May 17, 2026 | Sunday | 10:00 AM | Round 3 |
| May 17, 2026 | Sunday | 3:00 PM (or as soon as possible) | BCCF AGM (skittles room) |
| May 17, 2026 | Sunday | 3:00 PM (or as soon as possible) | Side event: Unrated Open Blitz (7 rounds, 3+2) |
| May 17, 2026 | Sunday | 4:30 PM | Round 4 |
| May 18, 2026 | Monday | 9:30 AM | Round 5 |
| May 18, 2026 | Monday | 2:30 PM | Round 6 |
| May 18, 2026 | Monday | 6:30 PM–8:30 PM | Prize ceremony with buffet dinner and social time (optional attendance) |
📝 Registration
Register online here:
https://fraservalleychess.com/keres-memorial-2026/
The organizers offer early-bird entry at CAD $110 + GST through March 31, 2026 (midnight) and regular entry at CAD $125 + GST through May 15, 2026 (midnight). The organizers charge play-up fees of $30 when a player sits within 100 rating points of a higher section and $50 when a player sits within 200 points. The organizers waive entry for players rated 2300+ under any rating system when they register by the early-bird deadline, and the organizers apply the stated condition that they deduct the entry fee from prize money upon winning. The organizers apply a $20 family discount per player from the second family member onward.
The organizers do not offer on-site registration. The organizers do not issue refunds after registration closes, and they do not issue refunds for no-shows, withdrawals, or cancellations after closing; the organizers apply a $20 processing fee to refunds before registration closes. The side event blitz uses a $20 entry fee and returns 70% of entries as the prize pool.
👥 Organizer
Fraser Valley Chess organizes Keres Memorial 2026 and delivers the 50th edition of this annual event with rated classical sections, published prize structures, and a dedicated awards ceremony. The organizing team manages registration and participant communication through the official tournament page and event mailbox.
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Email: events@fraservalleychess.com
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Website: https://fraservalleychess.com/
🏨 Venue
Richmond Curling Club, 5540 Hollybridge Way, Richmond, BC, Canada
Richmond Curling Club hosts the tournament in its main arena and supports wheelchair access in the main playing area. The venue offers on-site concessions to support players through the full weekend schedule. You can plan your arrival around the round start times and settle in before the first Saturday round.
🛎️ Accommodation
SureStay by Best Western Richmond Vancouver Airport, 7188 Westminster Highway, Richmond, British Columbia V6X 1A1, Canada
The organizers secured a room block for May 16–17, 2026 with checkout on May 18, 2026, and they also reserved a limited number of rooms for extended stays between May 15–19, 2026. The organizers list rooms with two double beds at $249.00 + taxes and include breakfast, internet, parking, and shuttle service to and from the airport between 6:00 AM and 10:30 PM.
Book online here (adjust your stay length as needed):
https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.62149.html?groupId=X77AV2P0
Last day to book at the discounted rate: April 17, 2026
For booking assistance: events@fraservalleychess.com
🚗 How to Get There
Use the venue address for your route planning:
Richmond Curling Club, 5540 Hollybridge Way, Richmond, BC, Canada
If you stay with the accommodation partner, use the listed airport shuttle window (6:00 AM–10:30 PM) to simplify transfers during the tournament weekend.
Bring your best weekend focus and turn six classical rounds into a standout result at Keres Memorial 2026.
🧾 Other
The organizers set a one-hour forfeit time from the scheduled start of each round. The organizers prohibit draw offers until players complete 30 moves.
Organizer
Fraser Valley Chess is a Canadian chess organizer and training academy based in Langley, British Columbia, Canada. Over the years, it has become a visible tournament organizer in the Fraser Valley and Greater Vancouver chess scene. As a result, many players associate the academy with consistent communication, clear event procedures, and strong on-site logistics.
In addition, the organization runs a steady schedule of rated competitions, club meetups, and structured coaching for juniors and adults. Its calendar spans rapid chess, blitz chess, and longer time controls that support serious competitive improvement. Moreover, Fraser Valley Chess is listed as the organizer for major provincial youth events, including the BC Youth Chess Championship.
Furthermore, the academy focuses heavily on a junior chess program through school partnerships, coaching pathways, and frequent tournament practice. For example, its events are designed to help students transition from training sessions to rated over-the-board play. Consequently, Fraser Valley Chess has become a practical entry point for families and improving players who want well-run events in the Lower Mainland.
