The 4th Jurassic Rapidplay – November 2026 will take place on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at Axmouth Village Hall in Axmouth, Devon, United Kingdom. Seaton Chess Club organizes this six-round, one-day Swiss tournament as the fourth edition of its annual Jurassic Rapidplay series.

All six games use a rapid time control of 20 minutes plus a 10-second increment from move one. Moreover, the tournament will count for ECF Rapid rating, with the current ECF Rapid ratings used for seeding wherever available. The competition starts at 10:00, breaks for lunch after the first three rounds, and then resumes at 14:00 for the final three games.

Players compete for the Ray Hunt Memorial Trophy and an estimated cash prize fund of more than £300 (more than approximately $410). The published main prizes are £120, £70, and £40, while additional £25 grading prizes are also available. Adult entry costs £20 and junior entry costs £10; however, players who enter before October 15 receive a £5 Early Bird discount.

♟️ Event Details

The tournament uses one Open Swiss field rather than multiple playing sections. Therefore, players of different strengths compete together while additional grading prizes reward eligible players further down the rating list.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

All six rounds use the same 20+10 rapid time control. Therefore, each player starts with 20 minutes and receives a 10-second increment after every move.

The organizers use current ECF Rapid ratings for tournament seeding. However, if a player does not have a Rapid rating, they may use other available information to estimate playing strength. For example, they may consider an ECF Standard rating or other relevant playing records.

Computer software will generate the Swiss pairings under ECF or comparable pairing principles. In addition, the controllers will try to avoid pairings between members of the same family or club where practical.

Illegal Moves

The tournament applies a specific rapidplay penalty for completed illegal moves.

The first completed illegal move gives the opponent an additional one minute on their clock. However, a second completed illegal move loses the game.

Players should also remember two practical FIDE rules. First, a player must press the clock with the same hand that moved the piece. Furthermore, when castling, the player must touch the king before the rook and use one hand.

🏆 Prize Fund

Seaton Chess Club advertises an estimated total prize fund of more than £300. However, the rules state that all prizes remain subject to the final number of entries.

Main Prizes

The organizer has not published the exact number of grading prizes. Therefore, the advertised headline remains more than £300 rather than a mathematically fixed guaranteed total.

If a player qualifies for more than one prize, the Controller awards the higher-value prize. Consequently, one player will not collect several overlapping cash awards.

Approximate USD equivalents use the current exchange rate and are rounded upward to the next $10.

🧩 Sections / Groups

The Jurassic Rapidplay has one Open playing section. Therefore, the grading awards should not be treated as separate tournament sections.

This structure allows players across a wide rating range to meet in the same tournament. Meanwhile, the grading prizes provide additional opportunities for players outside the overall leading places.

When no Rapid rating exists, the organizers may estimate a player’s strength from Standard ratings or other available information. As a result, unrated or less frequently rated players can still enter without needing a current ECF Rapid number.

🗓️ Schedule

The event divides the six rounds into two sessions of three games each. Although the organizer publishes the starting time for each session, it does not publish individual start times for every round.

Morning Session

Afternoon Session

Players should arrive before 10:00 and complete all registration requirements before play begins. Moreover, they should allow enough time to park because the Village Hall car park has limited capacity.

The organizer expects the tournament to finish at approximately 17:30.

📝 Registration

The standard entry fee is £20 for adults and £10 for juniors. However, an Early Bird discount reduces both fees by £5 for entries received before October 15, 2026.

ECF Membership

Players must hold ECF Gold or Platinum membership to compete. Therefore, Bronze members and non-members need to upgrade to Gold during the registration process.

All applicable fees must be paid before play begins.

Late Entry

The organizers may accept entries at the venue only at their discretion. Consequently, anyone considering a late entry should telephone in advance to confirm that a place remains available.

Official entry form:

https://britchess.wufoo.com/cabinet/a163b917-ce0c-4a38-a553-9a26fb0de40b

Official tournament information:

https://seatonchessclub.co.uk/events/4th-jurassic-rapidplay

👥 Organizer

Seaton Chess Club organizes the Jurassic Rapidplay series as part of its wider chess program in East Devon. Paul Hampton serves as the published contact for the 2026 tournament.

Players may contact the organizer about entries, venue access, or possible transport assistance from Axminster railway station.

📍 Venue

The tournament takes place at Axmouth Village Hall – 43 Church Street, Axmouth, Seaton, Devon EX12 4AF, United Kingdom.

Axmouth Village Hall stands in the center of the village next to the church. Moreover, the building sits directly opposite the Harbour Inn and close to the Ship Inn.

The hall is a historic Grade II listed building that originally served as a village school. Today, it operates as a community venue and provides a main hall, kitchen facilities, toilets, and other spaces.

Parking

The Village Hall has a small on-site car park with space for approximately 10 cars. Therefore, drivers who arrive later may need to use nearby parking instead.

Additional parking is available along the Riverside and on streets around Axmouth. However, players should park considerately and avoid blocking local access.

Refreshments and Facilities

The tournament will provide light refreshments throughout the day. In addition, two pubs stand immediately opposite or close to the venue.

The hall has kitchen facilities as well as ground-floor toilet provision for disabled visitors. Furthermore, the ECF lists the tournament as a disability-friendly event.

🚆 How to Get There

Axmouth lies in East Devon close to Seaton and the Jurassic Coast. Although the village does not have its own railway station, Axminster railway station provides the most useful rail arrival point for many players.

Arriving by Road

From the west, drivers can follow the A3052 past the Seaton turning near Tower Services and continue through Colyford. Then, they should take the B3172 toward Axmouth and Seaton. The Village Hall appears on the left opposite the Harbour Inn.

From the north, drivers can follow the A358 from Axminster through Musbury to the A3052. Shortly afterward, the road toward Axmouth and Seaton leads into the village and to the hall.

Arriving by Train

Players traveling by rail should use Axminster railway station. Moreover, the tournament organizer specifically invites participants to enquire if they need help arranging transport between the station and the venue.

Because such assistance requires coordination, players who need it should contact the organizer before tournament day.

ℹ️ Other Information

Ray Hunt Memorial Trophy

The Jurassic Rapidplay has a strong memorial connection. Seaton Chess Club created the tournament with support from longtime club member Ray Hunt, who died in 2023.

The club commissioned a distinctive trophy in his memory for the first Jurassic Rapidplay. Moreover, its design follows the Jurassic theme and incorporates inspiration from Orthoceras fossils.

Players at the 2026 tournament will once again compete for the Ray Hunt Memorial Trophy.

History of the Jurassic Rapidplay

Seaton Chess Club launched the first Jurassic Rapidplay in September 2023 at the same Axmouth venue. That inaugural tournament attracted 27 players from several counties.

Patryk Krzyzanowski won the first edition with 5.5/6. Paul Hampton finished second with 5/6, while FM Ian Thompson took third with 4.5/6.

The second edition followed in 2024 and attracted 18 players. Despite being only 11 years old, Rami Talab won the tournament outright with 5.5/6. Jon Underwood finished second, while junior Zander Booth placed third.

The 3rd Jurassic Rapidplay in 2025 again attracted 18 players. Jack Rudd entered the final round tied with Paul Hampton on 4/5; however, Rudd won his final game and claimed the tournament with 5/6. Jon Underwood and Rami Talab shared second place on 4.5/6.

Therefore, the 2026 event continues a compact but established annual East Devon rapidplay tradition.

Electronic Devices

Mobile phones must remain switched off or on silent during play. In addition, players should ensure that electronic devices do not disturb games in the playing area.

Photography

The organizers may take photographs and video during the tournament for publicity. However, players or parents who do not want their own or a dependent’s image published should notify the tournament team.

Equipment and Conduct

Tournament chess equipment must remain inside the playing area. Moreover, smoking is not permitted on the premises.

Players must follow the controllers’ decisions throughout the tournament. Consequently, the controllers and organizers make the final decision on matters connected with tournament administration.

Jurassic Coast Location

Axmouth sits less than a mile from Seaton on the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage coastline. Therefore, the tournament venue gives visiting players easy access to one of southwest England’s distinctive coastal areas.

Seaton offers traditional seaside facilities as well as the well-known Seaton Tramway and nearby wetlands. As a result, players traveling with family members can combine the chess event with a visit to the East Devon coast.