Isle of Wight Chess Masters 2026
Isle of Wight Chess Masters 2026 takes place in one of England’s most scenic coastal regions — the Isle of Wight — from 16–22 February 2026. The festival features three classical tournaments (Masters, Weekday, and Weekend Open), plus side events including a Blitz and a GM simultaneous exhibition. Hosted at the Lakeside Park Hotel, Wootton Bridge, this event combines serious competition with the island’s renowned natural beauty and hospitality.
📌 Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | 16 – 22 February 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Wootton Bridge, Isle of Wight, England |
| 🏟️ Venue | Lakeside Park Hotel & Spa, High Street, Wootton Bridge, Ryde, Isle of Wight |
| 🏁 Tournament Type | FIDE-rated International Festival |
| 🧩 Tournament System | Swiss System (Masters 9R · Weekday 7R · Weekend 5R) |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | Masters: 9 · Weekday: 7 · Weekend: 5 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes for 40 moves + 30 minutes to finish + 30-second increment from move 1 |
| ⏰ Default Time | 30 minutes |
| 🏢 Organizer | Isle of Wight Chess Masters Organizing Committee |
| ✉️ Email | info@iowchess.com |
| 🔗 Website | www.iowchess.com |
💰 Prize Fund
Total Prize Fund: £5,000
| Section | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masters | £1,500 | £800 | £400 |
| Weekday | £400 | £200 | £100 |
| Weekend | £300 | £150 | £100 |
Special Prizes:
— Best Woman: £200 · Best Senior (50+): £200 · Best Junior (U18): £200
— Rating Category prizes in each section (£100–£150 each)
🧩 Sections / Groups
- Masters (9 rounds, 16–22 Feb) — Open to players with FIDE Elo ≥1600. Flagship tournament with international participation.
- Weekday Open (7 rounds, 16–20 Feb) — Runs parallel during weekdays, suitable for those seeking a shorter event.
- Weekend Open (5 rounds, 20–22 Feb) — Concentrated three-day event, ideal for amateur and club players.
⏱️ Time Control & Tiebreaks
- Classical games: 90′/40 moves + 30′ to finish + 30″ increment from move 1.
- Tiebreaks: Direct Encounter → Buchholz Cut 1 → Sonneborn-Berger → Number of Wins.
📅 Schedule (local time)
| Date | Event / Round | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 16 Feb | Masters & Weekday Round 1 | 16:00 |
| Tue 17 Feb | Masters R2 / Weekday R2 | 10:00 |
| Tue 17 Feb | Masters R3 / Weekday R3 | 16:00 |
| Wed 18 Feb | Masters R4 / Weekday R4 | 16:00 |
| Wed 18 Feb | Blitz Tournament | 20:00 |
| Thu 19 Feb | Masters R5 / Weekday R5 | 16:00 |
| Fri 20 Feb | Masters R6 / Weekday R6 | 10:00 |
| Fri 20 Feb | GM Simul | 16:00 |
| Fri 20 Feb | Weekend R1 | 19:00 |
| Sat 21 Feb | Masters R7 / Weekday R7 | 10:00 |
| Sat 21 Feb | Weekend R2 | 10:00 |
| Sat 21 Feb | Weekend R3 | 16:00 |
| Sun 22 Feb | Masters R8 | 10:00 |
| Sun 22 Feb | Weekend R4 | 10:00 |
| Sun 22 Feb | Masters R9 | 16:00 |
| Sun 22 Feb | Weekend R5 & Closing Ceremony | 16:00 / 20:00 |
📝 Registration & Fees
- Entry Fees: GM/IM: Free · Other titled players: £50 · Adults: £90 (Masters) / £60 (Weekday) / £50 (Weekend) · Juniors (U18): £60 (Masters) / £40 (Weekday/Weekend)
- Registration closes: 10 February 2026
- Payments: Bank transfer or PayPal (details on the official website)
🏢 Organizer
The Isle of Wight Chess Masters Organizing Committee works with the English Chess Federation (ECF) and local partners to deliver high-level playing conditions and international standards. Their mission is to establish the Isle of Wight as a permanent fixture on the global chess calendar.
- Email: info@iowchess.com
- Website: www.iowchess.com
🏟️ Venue
Lakeside Park Hotel & Spa, High Street, Wootton Bridge, Isle of Wight
— 4-star accommodation and conference facilities
— Spacious playing hall with natural light and accessibility
— On-site spa, restaurant, and relaxation facilities
🛏️ Accommodation
- Official packages at the Lakeside Park Hotel, with full board options for players.
- Nearby accommodations in Ryde and Newport offer budget-friendly alternatives.
- Booking early is strongly recommended as the festival coincides with school holidays.
🚉 How to Get There
- By Ferry: Frequent crossings from Portsmouth, Southampton, and Lymington to Ryde/East Cowes.
- By Train: London Waterloo → Portsmouth Harbour → ferry to Ryde Pier Head.
- By Car: Car ferries from Portsmouth, Southampton, and Lymington.
- By Air: Southampton Airport (SOU) with direct trains to ferry ports.
The Isle of Wight Chess Masters combines the thrill of international competition with the beauty of island life. From the grand Masters event to the Weekend Open and side activities, this festival ensures every player finds both challenge and inspiration in an unforgettable setting.