Birmingham FIDE Rapid & Blitz 2026 will take place on August 29, 2026, at Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School.
Moreover, the morning program includes four-round Open, U1600 and U1300 rapid sections at 15+5.
In addition, an eight-round open blitz tournament follows at 13:45 and uses 5 minutes plus a 3-second increment.
Meanwhile, the one-day structure allows players to combine FIDE- and ECF-rated rapid chess with a separate FIDE-rated blitz competition.
Therefore, participants should complete the Jotform entry, obtain any required FIDE ID and arrive through the Shirley Road entrance before Round 1.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Date | August 29, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Birmingham, United Kingdom |
| 🏛️ Venue | Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School |
| ♟️ Formats | Rapid and Blitz |
| ⏱️ Rapid Time Control | 15 minutes + 5 seconds per move |
| ⚡ Blitz Time Control | 5 minutes + 3 seconds per move |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE Rapid and Blitz |
| 👤 Organizer | Domenico Napolitano |
| 🌐 Chess-Results – Rapid Open | https://chess-results.com/tnr1370498.aspx?lan=1 |
| 🌐 Chess-Results – Rapid U1600 | https://chess-results.com/tnr1370500.aspx?lan=1 |
| 🌐 Chess-Results – Rapid U1300 | https://chess-results.com/tnr1370502.aspx?lan=1 |
| 🌐 Chess-Results – Blitz | https://chess-results.com/tnr1370504.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Each rapid section consists of four Swiss-system rounds at 15 minutes plus a 5-second increment from move one.
The blitz tournament consists of eight rounds at 5 minutes plus a 3-second increment.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Rapid Open | 4 rounds; 15 minutes + 5 seconds per move |
| Rapid U1600 | 4 rounds; 15 minutes + 5 seconds per move |
| Rapid U1300 | 4 rounds; 15 minutes + 5 seconds per move |
| Blitz | 8 rounds; 5 minutes + 3 seconds per move |
Moreover, players should check the published pairings before every round and report any discrepancy immediately. Therefore, each participant should arrive early enough to find the board, prepare the scoresheet when required and follow the arbiter’s instructions.
♟️ Sections / Groups
The rapid competition is divided into three rating sections, followed by one combined blitz event.
| Section | Information |
|---|---|
| Rapid Open | Open section |
| Rapid U1600 | Players within the published U1600 limit |
| Rapid U1300 | Players within the published U1300 limit |
| Blitz | Eight-round afternoon tournament |
📅 Schedule
Saturday, August 29, 2026
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10:00 | Rapid program begins |
| 13:45 | Rapid program finishes; Blitz program begins |
| 17:00 | Scheduled finish |
📝 Registration
Online registration covers the rapid sections and afternoon blitz tournament.
| Registration Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Registration Form | https://form.jotform.com/243013110588043 |
| napolitanodomenico15@gmail.com |
In addition, players should retain their payment or registration confirmation and verify that the organizer has added their name to the official participant list.
Meanwhile, international players should check whether the tournament requires a FIDE ID, federation membership, visa documentation or other eligibility evidence.
👤 Organizer
| Organizer Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer and Chief Arbiter | Domenico Napolitano |
| napolitanodomenico15@gmail.com | |
| Phone | +44 7440 470298 |
📍 Venue
Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School – Shirley Road entrance, Acocks Green, Birmingham B27 7XY, United Kingdom
The school hosts the rapid and blitz programs in one venue. Consequently, players who enter both formats remain at the same site throughout the day.
The organizer instructs participants to use the Shirley Road entrance, opposite Victoria Road.
🚆 How to Get There
Acocks Green has suburban rail and bus connections with central Birmingham and surrounding districts.
Because the rapid begins at 10:00, players should check weekend timetables and arrive before registration closes.
| Travel Option | Practical Information |
|---|---|
| By Train | Travel to Acocks Green station, then continue on foot, by bus or taxi. |
| By Bus | Local routes serve Acocks Green and the Shirley Road area. |
| By Car | Use the Shirley Road entrance and follow the organizer’s parking instructions. |
| Entrance | The event entrance is on Shirley Road, opposite Victoria Road. |
ℹ️ Other Information
The organizer applies the current FIDE Laws of Chess and the event-specific regulations. Moreover, participants should follow all arbiter instructions, fair-play requirements and venue rules.
In addition, players should recheck the official sources shortly before travel because the organizer may publish operational updates, room assignments or timetable adjustments.
Key Tournament Rules
| Rule | Information |
|---|---|
| Rapid Open | 4 rounds; 15 minutes + 5 seconds per move |
| Rapid U1600 | 4 rounds; 15 minutes + 5 seconds per move |
| Rapid U1300 | 4 rounds; ECF-rated under the published conditions |
| Blitz | 8 rounds; 5 minutes + 3 seconds per move |
| Rapid Start | 10:00 |
| Blitz Start | 13:45 |
Official Resources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Registration Form | https://form.jotform.com/243013110588043 |
| ECF Rapid Event Page | https://www.englishchess.org.uk/event/birmingham-fide-rapid-155-5/ |
| Chess-Results – Blitz | https://chess-results.com/tnr1370504.aspx?lan=1 |
Additional Details
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Domenico Napolitano is a London-based chess organizer, coach, player, and licensed FIDE National Arbiter. He is the founder and director of Endgame Strategies Ltd and the Sloane Square Chess Club, where he develops chess programs for children and manages coaching activities across London. He has worked as a full-time chess coach since 2016, providing school chess clubs, holiday camps, private tuition, and online instruction. Endgame Strategies Ltd is an active UK company operating in sports and recreation education.
🏆 Chess Tournaments and Events
Napolitano organizes and directs a growing program of over-the-board chess tournaments in England. His events include classical, rapid, and blitz competitions rated by both FIDE and the English Chess Federation. He has organized tournaments in London, Birmingham, Nottingham, and Oxford, including the Birmingham FIDE Congress, Nottingham Summer Chess Festival, Nottingham FIDE Rapid, Nine Elms FIDE Congress, and several FIDE-rated rapid and blitz events. His competitions commonly offer multiple rating sections, giving experienced players, developing competitors, juniors, and lower-rated participants appropriate tournament opportunities.
🌱 Chess Coaching and Community Development
Alongside tournament organization, Domenico Napolitano focuses strongly on junior chess development. Through Endgame Strategies, he and his coaching team deliver structured chess instruction designed around each child’s individual strengths and development needs. The organization works with beginners as well as ambitious young tournament players, offering school-based programs and private coaching for students in London and internationally. Napolitano’s experience as a tournament organizer, active player, coach, and arbiter allows him to help students understand both the technical and practical sides of competitive chess. His tournaments provide players with regular opportunities to gain FIDE and ECF-rated experience under professionally managed conditions.
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