The 5th Cambridge FIDE RapidPlay 2026 will take place on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at Whittlesford Memorial Hall in Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom. Psyon Chess will run five Swiss-system rapid rounds across four playing sections: Open, U1800, U1550, and a junior-only U1200 section.

The Open, U1800, and U1550 sections will count for both FIDE Rapid and ECF Rapid rating. Meanwhile, the U1200 junior section will count for ECF Rapid rating only. Every player receives 25 minutes plus a 10-second increment from move one, while the five-round program runs from 10:30 until approximately 18:00.

The published cash awards add up to £555 (approximately $750) if total participation reaches at least 60 paid entries. However, the organizer may reduce prizes if entries fall below that level. Entry fees range from £32 to £35 depending on section, while additional ECF Pay-to-Play charges may apply to players without the required membership.

♟️ Event Details

The fifth Cambridge FIDE RapidPlay continues Psyon Chess’s rapid tournament series at Whittlesford Memorial Hall. Moreover, the event combines three FIDE-rated sections with a separate junior U1200 competition.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

All four sections play five Swiss-system rounds at the same rapid time control. Therefore, each player receives 25 minutes plus a 10-second increment from the first move.

Psyon Chess uses the higher of the player’s latest ECF Rapid and FIDE Rapid ratings when determining section eligibility and rating-prize status. Moreover, the organizer uses the ratings published on the first day of the tournament month.

For the rating-limited sections, both applicable ECF and FIDE Rapid ratings must remain below the stated ceiling. However, anyone may enter the Open section.

If a player has no ECF or FIDE Rapid rating, the organizer may estimate playing strength from previous grades, club records, or credible online ratings. Consequently, unrated entrants should provide enough information for suitable section placement.

Players may request one half-point bye in any round except Round 5. In contrast, a pairing-allocated bye scores one full point.

If an opponent has not arrived within 10 minutes, the organizer may award the default and then attempt to re-pair the waiting player where practical. Additionally, a player who misses a round without permission may lose their place in later pairings.

🏆 Prize Fund

The published cash awards total £555 (approximately $750) across the four sections. However, this amount assumes at least 60 paid entries across the event.

Open

U1800

U1550

U1200

The trophies and medals are additional non-cash awards. Therefore, they do not form part of the £555 cash prize total.

Psyon Chess may reduce the prize fund if fewer than 60 paid players enter. Likewise, the Chief Arbiter may merge sections when entry numbers make this necessary.

Rating Prize Eligibility

Only players with a current, established ECF or FIDE Rapid rating can qualify for a rating prize. Provisional ECF ratings do not qualify.

The organizer awards the rating prize to the highest-scoring eligible player from the relevant lower-rated portion of the starting list. Furthermore, no player may receive more than one cash prize.

In rating-restricted sections, an unrated player can receive no more than £50 in prize money.

Tied Prizes

When players tie on points for a place prize, the organizer pools the relevant prize money. The published distribution ratios are:

Consequently, tiebreak scores can affect the monetary split when several players finish on the same score.

Approximate USD equivalents are rounded upward to the next $10.

🧩 Sections / Groups

Four separate playing sections allow players with different ratings and experience levels to compete in suitable groups. However, only the three higher sections receive FIDE Rapid rating.

Open

The Open has no published upper rating limit. Therefore, any eligible player may choose this section.

U1800

Both the relevant ECF Rapid and FIDE Rapid ratings must remain below 1800.

U1550

Both applicable Rapid ratings must remain below 1550.

U1200

The U1200 section is reserved for junior players and receives ECF Rapid rating only. Nevertheless, the organizer may still consider available rating information when deciding whether this section suits an entrant.

Psyon Chess generally expects players to enter a section no more than about 250 rating points above their current playing strength. However, the Open remains available to players who want stronger opposition.

The organizer may transfer an entrant to a more appropriate section when rating evidence requires it. Therefore, players should enter using accurate and current rating information.

🗓️ Schedule

All five rounds take place on Sunday. The organizer asks players to arrive by approximately 10:00 so that Round 1 can start promptly at 10:30.

There is no scheduled lunch break between rounds. Therefore, players should plan food and refreshments around the available gaps between games.

The organizer may adjust the schedule if circumstances require it. Nevertheless, the published timetable provides 90-minute intervals between round starts.

📝 Registration

Entry fees vary slightly by section. In addition, ECF membership status can affect the total amount a player needs to pay.

The event has a maximum capacity of 80 players, and the organizer accepts an entry only after receiving the required payment.

ECF Membership and Pay-to-Play

Players need at least ECF Gold membership to avoid the additional Pay-to-Play charge for the FIDE-rated sections.

Alternatively, eligible players can upgrade their ECF membership. Junior players can also benefit from the ECF’s applicable first-year Gold membership arrangements.

Players without a FIDE ID who need one for a FIDE-rated section can obtain an ENG registration where eligible. Meanwhile, players with an active FIDE ID under another federation can retain their existing federation.

Late Entry

The online registration system lists November 15, 2026 as the final entry date. However, players should enter earlier because the 80-player capacity may fill.

On-the-day entries may be accepted only if space remains. These entries require cash payment before 09:15 and carry an additional surcharge.

Official tournament page:

https://www.congress.org.uk/congress/837/home

Official online entry:

https://www.congress.org.uk/congress/837/enter

👥 Organizer

Psyon Chess organizes rated tournaments across Cambridge, Oxford, Greater London, Kent, East Kent, Hampshire, and other locations in southern England. Moreover, its tournament program includes both rapidplay events and multi-day FIDE congresses.

📍 Venue

The 5th Cambridge FIDE RapidPlay 2026 takes place at Whittlesford Memorial Hall – Mill Lane, Whittlesford, Cambridge CB22 4NE, United Kingdom.

Whittlesford lies south of Cambridge and offers strong road and rail access. Moreover, the Memorial Hall regularly hosts community, cultural, educational, and sporting activities.

The hall provides facilities for disabled visitors. Therefore, players who need specific assistance can contact the organizer before tournament day.

Parking

The organizer reports ample parking at and around the venue. In addition, the Memorial Hall complex itself provides space for up to approximately 30 cars, although these spaces may be shared with other hall users.

Nearby street parking also provides additional options. Nevertheless, drivers should park considerately and avoid obstructing local roads or access points.

Refreshments

Basic tea and coffee will be available for purchase at the venue. Contactless payment is preferred, although players using cash should bring the correct amount where possible.

In addition, shops on the nearby high street provide further food and refreshment options. Since the tournament has no scheduled lunch break, players may prefer to bring suitable food with them.

🚆 How to Get There

Whittlesford Memorial Hall sits approximately 0.8 mile from Whittlesford Parkway railway station. Consequently, rail offers a practical option for players traveling from Cambridge, London, or elsewhere on the route.

Whittlesford Parkway sits on the Cambridge–London rail corridor and also has direct services toward other destinations. Therefore, competitors do not necessarily need to travel through central Cambridge first.

Players traveling on Sunday should check the final November 15 timetable before departure because weekend engineering work can affect rail services.

ℹ️ Other Information

Byes and Withdrawals

Players may request one half-point bye in advance for any round except the final round. They can request it on the entry form or later from an arbiter or organizer before the relevant pairing.

However, players who miss a round without permission after the 10-minute default period may be treated as withdrawn from the tournament. The organizer may reinstate an excluded player at its discretion and can charge an additional £10 (approx. $20).

Refund Policy

Psyon Chess considers refund requests made at least seven days before the tournament starts. Each approved refund carries a £9 administration fee (approx. $20).

After that deadline, the organizer normally does not issue a cash refund. However, a player who contacts Psyon Chess within 72 hours of the event start may request to transfer the paid entry fee to the immediately following eligible Psyon Chess tournament on the ECF calendar.

If Psyon Chess cancels the tournament or deletes a player’s section because of insufficient entries, the player qualifies for a full entry-fee refund.

Fair Play and Electronic Devices

Psyon Chess applies FIDE fair-play regulations in its FIDE-rated sections. Therefore, players must switch off mobile phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices while they are in the playing hall.

Players may leave a switched-off device at the control desk, face down on the playing table, or inside a bag under the table. However, they must not carry or access an active device during a game.

The arbiting team may conduct fair-play checks during the tournament. Furthermore, an active or accessed electronic device can result in loss of the game.

Scoresheets and Equipment

Players do not have to record their moves in this rapidplay tournament. Nevertheless, the organizer provides scoresheets for participants who wish to keep a record of their games.

Players who plan to record moves should bring a pen or pencil and, if useful, a clipboard. Digital clocks will be used in every section.

Spectators

After completing a game, a player becomes a spectator. Therefore, the organizing team may ask finished players, parents, guardians, and other spectators to leave the main playing hall.

A separate non-player area will provide limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Moreover, everyone using that area must keep noise levels low while games remain in progress.

Junior Players

Psyon Chess welcomes junior competitors, especially through the dedicated U1200 section. However, parents and guardians should ensure that children have enough over-the-board experience to participate comfortably in a rated tournament.

The organizers and arbiters do not act in loco parentis. Consequently, parents or guardians remain responsible for their children throughout the event.

Children under eight must remain under direct parental supervision. Older juniors may share supervision arrangements between responsible adults, although their parent or guardian retains overall responsibility.

Photography

The organizer may take tournament photographs for event galleries and publicity. However, anyone who objects to being photographed should contact Psyon Chess before the event.

Photography in the playing hall is limited to the first five minutes of each round. In addition, anyone using a mobile phone as a camera must keep it in flight mode.

Venue Rules

Players and visitors should treat the hall and its surroundings respectfully. Smoking, vaping, e-cigarettes, alcohol consumption, and pets are not permitted inside the tournament venue.

Everyone should also enter and leave the playing hall quietly while games continue. Consequently, the tournament can maintain suitable playing conditions throughout the five-round day.

Cambridge RapidPlay Series

The event forms part of Psyon Chess’s established Cambridge rapidplay series at Whittlesford Memorial Hall. The fourth edition took place on November 30, 2025, at the same venue and used the same five-round 25+10 format.

That 2025 tournament attracted players across Open, U1800, U1500, and junior U1150 groups. For 2026, Psyon Chess has adjusted the lower rating boundaries to U1550 and U1200, while retaining the same core rapidplay format and Whittlesford venue.