2026 Mind Sports Olympiad London Rapid and Blitz takes place on August 22-23, 2026, in London, England. The chess program includes a 10-round rapid tournament, a Saturday blitz tournament, and a Sunday blitz tournament.

This is a chess tournament in London, England, in 2026. Players can compete in FIDE-rated rapid and blitz chess tournaments as part of the wider Mind Sports Olympiad program.

The event takes place at the Mercure London Suite Conference Centre in Earls Court. Therefore, players get a practical London venue, a compact weekend schedule, and access to one of the world’s best-known multi-game mind sports festivals.

♟️ Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Rapid Tournament

The rapid tournament uses 10 rounds with a time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment from move one. It has three sections: Open, Under 1900, and Under 1600.

The rapid tournament counts for FIDE Rapid rating. As a result, it offers a serious rapid chess tournament within the Mind Sports Olympiad weekend.

Saturday Blitz Tournament

The Saturday Blitz tournament uses 11 rounds in one open section. Each player receives 3 minutes for the game, plus a 2-second increment from move one.

Rounds 2–11 start as soon as possible after the previous round finishes. There is no scheduled break, and the tournament should finish around 21:30.

Sunday Blitz Tournament

The Sunday Blitz tournament also uses 11 rounds in one open section. Each player receives 5 minutes for the game, with no increment and no second period.

Rounds 2–11 start as soon as possible after the previous round finishes. The expected total playing time is around three and a half hours.

💰 Prize Fund

The confirmed total cash prize fund is £7,300, approximately $9,700.

Rapid-Open Prizes

Rapid-Under 1900 Prizes

Rapid-Under 1600 Prizes

Saturday Blitz Prizes

Sunday Blitz Prizes

Rating category prize barriers will be set after the tournament starts.

🧩 Sections / Groups

GM, WGM, IM, and WIM players receive free entry. FM and WFM players pay £25 for the rapid tournament, £15 for the Saturday Blitz, and £10 for the Sunday Blitz.

Players who are not Gold or Platinum members of the English Chess Federation must also pay a £17 pay-to-play surcharge.

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

Players should enter early because the tournaments may close once they become oversubscribed.

🏛️ Organizer

The chess events run under the 2026 Mind Sports Olympiad in partnership with Elite Chess Events. The weekend gives chess players a strong rated program within a larger international festival of strategic games.

📍 Venue

Mercure London Suite Conference Centre, 47 Lillie Road, London SW6 1UD, England

The tournament takes place at the Mercure London Suite Conference Centre in Earls Court. The venue sits on the same premises as Mercure and Ibis hotel accommodation options, which can help players reduce travel time during the weekend.

🏨 Accommodation

The event does not have a discounted accommodation agreement.

Players may stay at the playing venue premises, including Mercure and Ibis options, or choose any other London accommodation. Limited conditions may be available for Grandmasters.

🚆 How to Get There

The venue is in the Earls Court area of London. Players can use London Underground, rail connections, buses, taxis, or rideshare services to reach 47 Lillie Road.

Visitors should plan extra time for London weekend travel, especially before the 11:00 rapid start on Saturday and the 10:30 rapid restart on Sunday.

ℹ️ Other Information

An on-site refreshment area will be available. Outside food and drink are not allowed at the venue.

Player lists will be updated regularly on Chess-Results. Festival rules, fair-play rules, and refund conditions apply to the chess events.

The Mind Sports Olympiad runs from August 22–30, 2026, and includes a wide range of mind sports competitions beyond chess.

The 2026 Mind Sports Olympiad London Rapid and Blitz offers a strong rated chess weekend inside a major international mind sports festival.