Manchester FIDE Summer Congress 2026 will take place from August 21 to 23, 2026, in Horwich, Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. This weekend chess congress offers players a full standard-play tournament at the University of Bolton Arena.
The congress includes three 5-round Swiss tournaments: the Harry Lamb Memorial FIDE Open, the FIDE Rated Major Under 1930, and the FIDE Rated Knights Under 1630. Pairings will be made with Swiss-Manager, and results will be published on Chess-Results.
The published prize fund is £2,925 / approx. $3,934, including main prizes, grading prizes, women’s prizes, and junior prizes. Therefore, the event is a practical option for players looking for a FIDE-rated weekend congress in the North West of England.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | August 21–23, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Horwich, Bolton, Greater Manchester, England |
| 🏛️ Venue | University of Bolton Arena |
| ♟️ Format | 5-round Swiss system |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE-rated and ECF-rated |
| 🏁 Sections | FIDE Open, Major Under 1930, Knights Under 1630 |
| ⏱️ Open Time Control | 110 minutes + 10 seconds increment per move |
| ⏱️ Major / Knights Time Control | 90 minutes + 15 seconds increment per move |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 |
| 💰 Prize Fund | £2,925 / approx. $3,934 |
| 👤 Organizer | Manchester Chess Federation |
| 👥 Organiser Contact | Julian Clissold |
| 🌐 Official Website | https://congress.org.uk/congress/766/home |
| 📝 Online Entry | https://congress.org.uk/congress/766/enter |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The congress uses a 5-round Swiss system in all sections. Pairings will be made with Swiss-Manager.
| Section | Time Control | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Lamb Memorial FIDE Open | 110 minutes + 10 seconds increment per move | FIDE and ECF |
| Major Under 1930 | 90 minutes + 15 seconds increment per move | FIDE and ECF |
| Knights Under 1630 | 90 minutes + 15 seconds increment per move | FIDE and ECF |
The FIDE Open gives players a longer standard-play time control, while the Major and Knights sections use a slightly faster standard-play format.
The organizer uses FIDE standard ratings in all sections. If a player has no FIDE rating, the organizer uses the ECF rating. If a player has no current rating, the organizer may use the last available rating or request information to estimate playing strength.
Players without a rating should send rating information at least seven days before the tournament. If no information is supplied, the organizer may place the player in the Open section.
🏆 Prize Fund
The published prize fund is £2,925 / approx. $3,934.
Harry Lamb Memorial FIDE Open
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st place | £750 / approx. $1,009 |
| 2nd place | £300 / approx. $404 |
| Grading Prize Under 2050 | £75 / approx. $101 |
| Best Women’s Prize | £100 / approx. $135 |
| Best Junior | £50 / approx. $67 |
Major Under 1930
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st place | £450 / approx. $605 |
| 2nd place | £200 / approx. $269 |
| Grading Prize Under 1750 | £75 / approx. $101 |
| Best Women’s Prize | £50 / approx. $67 |
| Best Junior | £50 / approx. $67 |
Knights Under 1630
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st place | £450 / approx. $605 |
| 2nd place | £200 / approx. $269 |
| Grading Prize Under 1550 | £75 / approx. $101 |
| Best Women’s Prize | £50 / approx. $67 |
| Best Junior | £50 / approx. $67 |
There will be no prize-giving ceremony. Instead, prizes will be sent by bank transfer after the event. Players who may have won a prize should leave their bank details with the organizer.
📂 Sections / Groups
The congress has three FIDE-rated sections.
| Section | Rating Limit / Entry Basis |
|---|---|
| Harry Lamb Memorial FIDE Open | Open section |
| Major | Under 1930 |
| Knights | Under 1630 |
All sections use standard-play ratings for section placement. The organizer uses FIDE ratings first, followed by ECF ratings if no FIDE rating is available.
This structure gives players a balanced weekend congress with an open section for stronger players and two rating-limited sections for club and improving players.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, August 21, 2026 | 6:00 PM | Round 1 |
| Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 10:00 AM | Round 2 |
| Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 2:30 PM | Round 3 |
| Sunday, August 23, 2026 | 10:00 AM | Round 4 |
| Sunday, August 23, 2026 | 2:30 PM | Round 5 |
The congress starts on Friday, August 21, with Round 1 at 6:00 PM.
Saturday and Sunday each include two rounds. The final round starts on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 PM.
📝 Registration
Players should enter online through Congress Org UK.
| Registration Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Online Entry | https://congress.org.uk/congress/766/enter |
| Last Day to Enter Online | August 20, 2026 |
| Entry Fee | £45 / approx. $61 |
| Female Player Reduction | £10 / approx. $13 |
| Junior Player Reduction | £10 / approx. $13 |
| ECF Requirement | ECF Gold membership or higher |
| Payment Methods | PayPal or bank transfer |
The entry fee is £45 / approx. $61 for each section.
Female players and junior players receive a £10 / approx. $13 reduction. These reductions are offered to encourage entries from under-represented groups.
| Late Entry Period | Additional Fee |
|---|---|
| After August 18, 2026 | £10 / approx. $13 |
| After August 20, 2026 | £15 / approx. $20 |
Players should complete entry and payment before the late-fee dates to avoid additional charges.
👥 Organizer
| Organizer Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Manchester Chess Federation |
| Organiser Contact | Julian Clissold |
| julian.clissold1946@outlook.com | |
| Website | http://www.manchesterchess.co.uk/ |
| Entry Platform | Congress Org UK |
Manchester Chess Federation organizes the Manchester FIDE Summer Congress 2026. The congress gives players in Greater Manchester and the wider North West a structured weekend event with FIDE-rated standard chess.
The event includes three sections, Swiss-Manager pairings, published results, and a prize structure that rewards overall performance, rating-category results, women players, and junior players.
📍 Venue
University of Bolton Arena – Arena Approach, Horwich, Bolton BL6 6LB, England.
The tournament takes place at the University of Bolton Arena in Horwich, near Bolton.
Players should use the full venue address when planning their route to the playing hall.
🏨 Accommodation
Premier Inn and Whites Hotel are adjacent to the venue.
Players may also look for accommodation in Horwich, Bolton, or nearby Greater Manchester areas. Staying close to the University of Bolton Arena can reduce travel time between rounds.
Early booking is recommended for players who want accommodation near the venue.
🚆 How to Get There
| Travel Option | Information |
|---|---|
| By Car | Use University of Bolton Arena, Arena Approach, Horwich, Bolton BL6 6LB |
| Parking | Free parking is available |
| Nearby Railway Area | Horwich Parkway |
| Local Transport | Taxi, bus, and local transfer options operate in the Bolton area |
| Nearby Accommodation | Premier Inn and Whites Hotel are adjacent to the venue |
Players arriving by car should use the full venue address:
University of Bolton Arena – Arena Approach, Horwich, Bolton BL6 6LB, England.
Free parking is available at the venue.
ℹ️ Other Information
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Pairings | Swiss-Manager |
| Results | Chess-Results and playing-area screens |
| Prize Payment | Bank transfer after the event |
| Refunds | PayPal refunds available before 4:00 PM on the opening day, with £5 administration deduction |
| Refreshments | Drinks and snacks available from the café |
| Outside Food | Players may not consume their own food inside the arena |
| Safeguarding Officer | Julian Clissold |
| Anti-Cheating | Random metal detector checks may be used |
| Mobile Phones | Phones must be switched off and placed face down next to the board |
| Arbiter / Controller Decision | Final in all disputes |
Drinks and snacks will be available from the venue café. Players may not consume their own food inside the arena.
The Congress Controller may carry out random metal detector checks. Players must switch off their phones and place them face down on the table next to the board.
The Manchester Chess Federation has adopted the ECF Safeguarding Policy. Julian Clissold is the Safeguarding Officer for the event.
Join the Manchester FIDE Summer Congress 2026 in Horwich and play a full weekend of FIDE-rated standard chess at the University of Bolton Arena.
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Manchester Chess Federation is a regional chess federation based in Greater Manchester, England. The federation organizes and supports over-the-board chess for clubs and players across Manchester and the surrounding area. Its roots go back to the Manchester and District Chess Association and the Greater Manchester County Chess Association, with organized Manchester chess activity dating back to 1890.
The federation gives local clubs a clear structure for league chess, cup events, congresses, county representation, junior chess, and official competition. It works as a coordinating body rather than a single local chess club. Therefore, it connects many clubs, players, captains, arbiters, organizers, and volunteers across the Greater Manchester chess community.
Manchester Chess Federation plays an important role in keeping competitive chess active in the region. It supports traditional club chess while also encouraging wider participation through junior activity, community chess, congress events, and representative teams. As a result, it offers a reliable framework for players searching for chess in Manchester and structured competition in northwest England.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
Manchester Chess Federation organizes annual league competitions for its member clubs. Its league system includes several divisions and cup competitions, giving players regular team matches throughout the season. Clubs from Manchester, Bolton, Stockport, Bury, Chorlton, Altrincham, Ashton, Eccles, Marple, Urmston, and nearby areas take part in the federation’s chess structure.
The federation also organizes the Manchester Congress, which is one of its main public tournament activities. In addition, it supports rapidplay events, FIDE-rated congresses, county championship participation, junior chess, and individual competitive events. These activities give players different routes into tournament chess, from club-level matches to larger open competitions.
Manchester Chess Federation also manages practical chess administration. It publishes league rules, match rules, codes of conduct, fixtures, results, club information, and official notices. This helps captains, players, and clubs follow clear procedures during the season. Moreover, its work with the English Chess Federation links local chess in Manchester with the wider national chess system.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Players who connect with Manchester Chess Federation can expect a structured and active chess environment. The federation’s league system gives players regular over-the-board games against opponents from different clubs. This makes it especially useful for club players who want consistent match practice and a clear competitive pathway.
The federation also supports juniors, women’s chess, community chess, and representative county teams. Its officer structure includes roles for junior organization, coaching coordination, safeguarding, social media, chess in the communities, grading, fixtures, and records. Therefore, the federation covers both competitive and developmental parts of regional chess life.
For players searching for chess in Manchester, chess tournaments in Greater Manchester, or a reliable federation for club chess in northwest England, Manchester Chess Federation is a key organizer. Its mix of league chess, congresses, cup events, junior support, county teams, and club coordination gives it a central role in the English chess community.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
