The Commonwealth Chess Championship 2025 welcomes players from all Commonwealth nations to a prestigious, multi-category festival in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Hosted by the Malaysian Chess Federation under the auspices of the Commonwealth Chess Association and FIDE, it combines elite standards with a truly global chess community.
With Open, Women, Senior, U20, and full Age Group categories (U8–U18, Boys & Girls), the event offers professional organization, clear regulations, and a vibrant city experience steps from the PETRONAS Twin Towers.
Event Details
| 📅 Dates | 8–17 November 2025 (Arrival 8 Nov, Departure 17 Nov) |
| 📍 Location | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| 🏆 Prize Fund | Standard RM 85,000 + Blitz RM 10,000 |
|
| ♟️ Tournament Type | FIDE-rated international festival (Standard + Blitz) |
| 🧩 Tournament System | Swiss |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | Standard: 9 • Blitz: 7–9 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | Standard: 90’ + 30” • Blitz: 3’ + 2” |
| ⏰ Late Arrival | As per regulations (default time applies) |
|
| 📧 Email | mcfsecretariat@malaysiachess.org |
| ☎️ Phone | +60 16-338-2542 (Tournament Director) |
|
| 🔗 Official Website | malaysianchess.org |
| 📊 Pairings & Results | Chess-Results event page |
Prize Fund & Breakdown
Standard – Main Open (RM 42,000)
| Place | Prize (RM) |
|---|
| 1 | 12,000 |
| 2 | 8,000 |
| 3 | 5,000 |
| 4 | 3,000 |
| 5–6 | 2,000 each |
| 7–8 | 1,000 each |
| 9–12 | 800 each |
| 13–20 | 600 each |
Standard – Main Category Prizes (RM 16,000)
| Category | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|
| Women | 2,000 | 1,200 | 800 |
| Veteran (60+) | 2,000 | 1,200 | 800 |
| U20 Boys | 2,000 | 1,200 | 800 |
| U20 Girls | 2,000 | 1,200 | 800 |
Standard – Age Groups (RM 17,000 total)
| Age Group | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|
| U8 Boys & Girls | 500 | 300 | 200 |
| U10 Boys & Girls | 500 | 300 | 200 |
| U12 Boys & Girls | 650 | 400 | 300 |
| U14 Boys & Girls | 650 | 400 | 300 |
| U16 Boys & Girls | 800 | 600 | 500 |
| U18 Boys & Girls | 800 | 600 | 500 |
Blitz – Total RM 10,000
| Open Blitz | Prize (RM) |
|---|
| 1 | 2,000 |
| 2 | 1,000 |
| 3 | 600 |
| 4 | 400 |
| 5–10 | 200 each |
| 11–20 | 120 each |
| Youth Blitz (U8–U18) | Prize (RM) |
|---|
| 1 | 1,000 |
| 2 | 600 |
| 3 | 400 |
| 4 | 250 |
| 5 | 150 |
Note: Additional small awards for best player per age category in Blitz (RM 120 each).
Time Control & Pairings
- System: Swiss (Standard & Blitz)
- Standard: 9 rounds, 90 min + 30 sec from move 1
- Blitz: 7–9 rounds, 3 min + 2 sec
- Pairings: Swiss-Manager • FIDE rated
- Tiebreaks: Direct Encounter, Greater Wins, Buchholz Cut-1/Cut-2, Greater Wins with Black
Sections / Groups
| Section | Notes |
|---|
| Open (Standard) | Overall + Category prizes (Women, Veteran 60+, U20) |
| Age Groups | U8 / U10 / U12 / U14 / U16 / U18 – Boys & Girls |
| Blitz | Open + Youth (U18) |
| Note | Sections may be merged if entries are insufficient (per regulations) |
Schedule
| Date | Event | Time |
|---|
| Sat 8 Nov | Arrival • Registration & Accreditation | All day |
| Sun 9 – Sun 16 Nov | Standard Rounds (9 total) | Daily sessions (times TBA) |
| Sun 16 Nov | Closing Dinner & Prize-Giving | 20:00 |
| Mon 17 Nov | Departure | — |
Registration
- Official Players’ Entry Fee: USD 75 • Additional Players: USD 150
- Registration Fee (all participants & accompanying persons): USD 110 (includes transfers on official dates, accreditation, access to playing hall, Closing Dinner)
- Title Exemptions: Free entry for GM/IM ≥2400, WGM/WIM ≥2250
- Deadline: 8 Oct 2025 (after this date: +USD 50 penalty; no entries after 30 Oct 2025)
- Payment: 50% on submission (by 8 Oct); full by 31 Oct 2025 (late payment +USD 100)
- Eligibility: Open to players from Commonwealth countries (plus full Age Group categories)
Organizer
The Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) hosts the championship with the Commonwealth Chess Association and FIDE, delivering international standards, professional arbiters, and a world-class location.
- Organizer: Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF)
- Emails: mcfsecretariat@malaysiachess.org • inquiries@malaysiachess.org
- WhatsApp/Phone: +60 11-6262-4377 • +60 16-338-2542 • +60 16-343-6911
- Website: malaysianchess.org
Venue
Corus KLCC Hotel – Grand Ballroom, Persiaran Hampshire, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur — Google Maps
Prime downtown location ~300m from PETRONAS Twin Towers, with direct LRT access, restaurants, and shopping within a short walk.
Accommodation
- Official hotel: Corus KLCC (full board: breakfast + lunch + dinner via coupons)
- Secondary hotel: De King Hotel KLCC (next door; breakfast at hotel, lunch/dinner at Corus)
| Hotel | Single | Double |
|---|
| Corus KLCC | USD 130 (USD 1,170 total) | USD 115 (USD 1,035 total) |
| Upgrade Single* (for those entitled to Double) | +USD 70 (USD 630 total) |
| De King (Malaysian players) | — | USD 80 (USD 720 total) |
Free accommodation for Official Representatives (country quotas) and for GM ≥2400 / WGM ≥2250 (double room; GM ≥2600 single room).
How to Get There
- Airport: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) → ~45 min by taxi; KLIA Ekspres (~30 min) to KL Sentral → LRT Kelana Jaya Line to KLCC (~30 min) → 10-min walk to hotel.
- Transfers: Provided only on 7–8 Nov (arrivals) and 17 Nov (departures) for registered & paid participants/accompanying persons.
A world-class chess festival in a world-class city—see you in Kuala Lumpur!
