2026 SCC & Chess4win Happy New Year Open
Launching the new season in York Region, the 2026 SCC & Chess4win Happy New Year Open runs January 2-4, 2026, in Markham, Ontario, Canada. Hosted at the spacious Duncan Academy venue, this festival features a six-round classical open across rating sections, with generous prizes, clear round times, and convenient access off Highway 404/407 for Greater Toronto Area players.
Designed for smooth logistics and competitive play, the event uses CFC ratings for all sections (with seeding based on the higher of CFC or FIDE). A 150-player capacity, online pre-registration only (no on-site), optional half-point byes in early rounds, and an accelerated Junior section on Sunday make it a practical New Year’s choice for adults and juniors alike.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | Friday-Sunday, January 2-4, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Duncan Academy |
| 🏠 Address | 730 Cochrane Dr #1, Markham, ON L3R 8E1, Canada |
| ♟️ Format | 6-round Swiss (classical) |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds/move (Junior U1100: 30 minutes + 30 seconds/move) |
| ⭐ Rating | CFC-rated in all sections; seeding by the higher of CFC or FIDE |
| 👥 Capacity | 150 players |
| ✅ Eligibility | CFC membership required |
| 🕰️ Default Time | 30 minutes |
| 🧩 Byes | Max two ½-point byes in Rounds 1–3 (request with entry); 0-point byes allowed in Rounds 5–6 (email request) |
| 🧰 Equipment | Boards, pieces, and clocks supplied by the organizer |
🏆 Prize Fund
| Section | Prizes |
|---|---|
| O1900 (1800+) | $1,000 – $500 – $300, plus Championship trophy & medals |
| U1900 | $500 – $300 – $200, plus Championship trophy & medals |
| U1500 | $400 – $200 – $100, plus Championship trophy & medals |
| Junior U1100 | $100 – $50, plus Championship trophy & medals |
Notes: Prize fund quoted based on 90 paid entries; may increase with entries. Guaranteed minimums are paid regardless of turnout. Prizes are split on ties unless stated otherwise.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Classical: 90′ + 30″/move from move 1 (all main sections).
Junior U1100: 30′ + 30″/move from move 1 (single-day schedule).
Swiss pairing; tie-break order: Direct encounter → Buchholz → Number of wins (excl. forfeits) → Sum of opponents’ ratings.
Fair-play: Follow arbiter/organizer instructions; default loss at 30 minutes after round start.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility / Notes |
|---|---|
| O1900 (1800+) | Open to 1800+ (players may request to play up if within rating threshold; see fee below.) |
| U1900 | Under 1900 |
| U1500 | Under 1500 |
| Junior U1100 | Under 1100; dedicated Sunday cadence |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jan 2 | 10:00 AM | Round 1 |
| Fri, Jan 2 | 4:00 PM | Round 2 |
| Sat, Jan 3 | 10:00 AM | Round 3 |
| Sat, Jan 3 | 4:00 PM | Round 4 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | 10:00 AM | Round 5 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | 4:00 PM | Round 6 |
Junior U1100 (Sunday only): 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM.
📝 Registration
Enter online (primary page): https://chess4win.jumbula.com/2026ChessTournament/2026SCCChess4winHappyNewYearOpen
Deadlines: Online registration closes Jan 1, 10:00 PM; no on-site registration.
Entry fees (main sections): $90 (by Nov 1, 11:59 PM early bird) • $110 (by Dec 15, 11:59 PM) • $130 regular.
SCC members: –$10 off the main-section fee.
Junior U1100 fee: $50 (by Dec 15) • $60 regular.
Free entry: Players with CFC regular >2300 or FIDE regular >2100 (limited to 10 spots).
Playing up: +$20; player must be within 100 points of the target section’s rating floor.
Payment: E-transfer to chess4winofficial@gmail.com (include player name/section).
Byes: Request by email to chess4winofficial@gmail.com (½-point byes only in R1–R3; 0-point byes in R5–R6).
Contact: 647-982-8245 • chess4winofficial@gmail.com
Registered list: https://www.chess4win.ca/registered-players/list-of-jan-2-4th-happy-new-year-open2026
👥 Organizer
A collaboration between Scarborough Chess Club (SCC) and Chess4win Canada, the New Year Open emphasizes fair pairings, on-time rounds, and a friendly, competitive setting for GTA players.
Info/entries: event Jumbula page (link above)
Email: chess4winofficial@gmail.com
Phone: 647-982-8245
🏨 Venue
Duncan Academy – 730 Cochrane Dr #1, Markham, ON L3R 8E1, Canada
Modern, spacious school facility with free Wi-Fi, indoor badminton court, and a table-tennis room available on site for breaks between rounds.
🚗 How to Get There
By car: Minutes from Hwy 404/407; ample parking near the building.
Transit: York Region Transit routes serve the Cochrane/Highway 7 area; consider a short walk from major stops.
Air/Rail: From Toronto Pearson (YYZ) or Billy Bishop (YTZ), connect via UP Express/TTC/GO Transit to Markham.
Start 2026 with focused classical chess and clear scheduling—see you in Markham for the 2026 SCC & Chess4win Happy New Year Open!