Jersey International Chess Tournament 2026
Jersey welcomes chess enthusiasts to the Jersey International Chess Tournament 2026 from Monday, February 23 to Saturday, February 28, 2026 in St Clement, Jersey, Channel Islands. Two FIDE-rated 7-round Swiss tournaments, The Open and The Holiday, share the same classical time control and playing venue at the Hotel Ambassadeur on St Clement Bay. The Open invites all competitors, while the Holiday section targets club players below specific Elo and ECF rating thresholds.
A clear prize structure with top awards of £1,000 in The Open and £400 in The Holiday sits alongside numerous rating, age, and local prizes. Flexible entry fees by category, options for half-point byes in the early rounds, and a midweek blitz event enrich the program and create a festival feel while keeping the focus on serious classical chess.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | February 23–28, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Hotel Ambassadeur, St Clement Bay, Jersey JE2 6SB, Channel Islands |
| ♟️ Format | Two 7-round FIDE-rated Swiss tournaments (The Open and The Holiday) |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes for the game + 30 seconds increment per move from move 1 |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE-rated; ECF ratings used where FIDE ratings are unavailable |
| 📂 Sections | The Open (open to all); The Holiday (Elo under 1900 or ECF under 160) |
| 💰 Prize fund | Top prize £1,000 in The Open; £400 in The Holiday plus many category prizes |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Organizers may merge both tournaments depending on entry numbers |
🏆 Prize Fund
Main Prizes
| Place | Open | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | £1,000 | £400 |
| 2nd | £600 | £200 |
| 3rd | £400 | £150 |
| 4th | £200 | £100 |
Special Prizes
| Prize | Open | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Highest placed lady* | £250 | £75 |
| Best Jersey player | — | — |
| Best senior (over 60)* | £100 | £50 |
| Best junior | £50 | £50 |
| Rating prizes | Under 2300, 2150, 2000 – £75 each | Under 1800, 1700, 1500 – £50 each |
| Best game prize | £100 | — |
*Subject to at least three eligible players.
Trophies and additional prizes may also be awarded.
No player can win more than one cash prize.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Both The Open and The Holiday use a single classical time control of 90 minutes for the entire game with a 30-second increment from move one. Each section runs as a 7-round Swiss tournament submitted for FIDE rating.
Untitled players may request up to two half-point byes in rounds 1–6, provided they submit the request before the end of the previous round. The default time in both sections is one hour from the scheduled start of the round. Players may be re-paired after 30 minutes if an opponent does not appear, but the default loss occurs after one hour.
FIDE ratings from the latest available list take precedence for seeding and pairings. For players without a FIDE rating, ECF grades apply.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Open | Open to all players | FIDE-rated; titled players receive free entry |
| The Holiday | Elo under 1900 or ECF under 160 | FIDE-rated; reserved for lower-rated and holiday players |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 23, 2026 | Monday | 15:00 | Round 1 |
| February 24, 2026 | Tuesday | 10:00 | Round 2 |
| February 24, 2026 | Tuesday | 15:00 | Round 3 |
| February 25, 2026 | Wednesday | 14:00 | Round 4 |
| February 26, 2026 | Thursday | 14:00 | Round 5 |
| February 27, 2026 | Friday | 14:00 | Round 6 |
| February 28, 2026 | Saturday | 10:00 | Round 7 |
| February 28, 2026 | Saturday | Evening, after dinner | Closing ceremony and prize-giving |
SaSo Jersey Open Blitz (side event)
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 25, 2026 | Wednesday | 19:00 | SaSo Jersey Open Blitz, 9-round Swiss; prizes £150, £75, £50; free entry for players in both main sections, £10 for others |
📝 Registration
Entry fees differ by section and player category:
The Open
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| GM / IM / WGM / WIM | Free |
| Rated player | £70 |
| Senior (over 60) | £60 |
| Junior (under 16) | £30 |
| Non-rated player | £75 |
The Holiday
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Titled players | Not applicable |
| Rated player | £50 |
| Senior (over 60) | £45 |
| Junior (under 16) | £25 |
| Non-rated player | £55 |
Entries without payment are not accepted, and players cannot pay at the tournament. Entrants should complete the online entry form and then send funds by one of the following methods:
Bank transfer (BACS), quoting the player’s name as reference:
• Sort code: 40-25-33
• Account number: 61895516
Cheque by post to:
Jersey Chess Club
Vivorde le Mont Felard
St Lawrence
Jersey
Channel Islands
JE3 1JA
For further details about registration or payment, players can contact the organizer using the information in the Organizer section.
👥 Organizer
The Jersey Chess Club runs the Jersey International Chess Tournament 2026 and manages entries, pairings, and event logistics.
Tournament Director and Treasurer: Paul Wojciechowski
Address: Vivorde le Mont Felard, St Lawrence, Jersey, Channel Islands, JE3 1JA
Email: paulmwoj@gmail.com
Phone: +44 1524 610076
Tournament Assistant Director and President, JCI Federation: Louis Jouault
Email: louisjouault@hotmail.com
Phone: +44 7797 847549
Website: https://jerseychessclub.co.uk/
🏨 Venue
Games take place at Hotel Ambassadeur, St Clement Bay, Jersey JE2 6SB. The hotel hosts both main tournaments and the blitz event under one roof, giving players a comfortable base on the island’s south coast close to the sea and local amenities.
🚗 How to Get There
Jersey is accessible by air and ferry from several UK and mainland European ports. From the airport or harbor, players can reach Hotel Ambassadeur in St Clement Bay by taxi, hire car, or local bus services that run along the south coast. The hotel sits on the main coastal road, making it straightforward to find for visitors who arrive by road.
Strong club players and seasoned travelers alike can enjoy a full week of classical chess, generous prizes, and a relaxed island atmosphere at the Jersey International Chess Tournament 2026.
🧾 Other
• SaSo Jersey Open Blitz offers free entry to participants of both main tournaments and a modest fee for others.
• The default time in both sections is one hour from the scheduled start; players with active electronic devices in the playing area risk penalties according to FIDE rules.
• No player may receive more than one cash prize; if eligible for multiple awards, they receive the highest-value prize only.