New Year Open 2026
Kicking off the Canadian chess year in style, the New Year Open 2026, held from January 2-4, 2026, in Roma Hall, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, is a 9-round CFC-rated Swiss tournament organized by Lulu Island Chess. With a guaranteed $5000 cash prize fund, multiple rating sections, and a Sunday evening blitz event, it’s designed for ambitious club players and titled guests alike.
Played over three full days with a classical 50+10 time control, the event offers Premier, U1800, and U1300 sections, generous top-female prizes in each group, and strong organizational standards. Roma Hall provides an all-day free parking setup and a comfortable hall for long classical games, making this an attractive New Year destination for players from across the Lower Mainland and beyond.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | January 2-4, 2026 (Fri-Sun) |
| 📍 Location | Roma Hall, 940 Ewen Ave, New Westminster, BC V3M 5C8, Canada |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss system |
| ⭐ Rating | CFC-rated (all sections) |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 50 minutes + 10 seconds increment per move |
| 📂 Sections | Premier, U1800, U1300 |
| 🚪 Default Time | Forfeit after 30 minutes |
| 🏆 Prize Fund | $5000 cash prizes guaranteed |
| 🎯 Tie-breaks | 1) Head-to-Head 2) Cumulative Score 3) Opposition Cumulative Score |
| 💳 Play-up | $50 play-up fee within 200 rating points (current CFC rating) |
| ♟️ Side Event | Blitz tournament on January 4 at 6:30 p.m |
🏆 Prize Fund
Overall Guaranteed Cash Prizes
| Section | Prizes |
|---|---|
| Premier | $1000 + Plaque, $700, $500, $300, $200, Top Female: $100 + Plaque |
| U1800 | $400 + Plaque, $300, $200, $100, Top Female: $100 + Plaque |
| U1300 | $250 + Plaque, $150, $100, Top Female: $100 + Plaque |
| Blitz | $200 + Plaque, $150, $100, $50 |
Prizes are guaranteed and awarded separately in each section, with dedicated Top Female awards that include both cash and plaques.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
• Main event time control: 50 minutes + 10 seconds increment per move for all rounds.
• 9 rounds, Swiss-system pairing across three sections.
• Late default time: forfeit after 30 minutes from the scheduled start of each round.
• Tie-break order:
Head-to-Head
Cumulative Score
Opposition Cumulative Score
📂 Sections / Groups
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Premier | Open top section (CFC-rated; strongest players, titled welcome) |
| U1800 | CFC Under 1800 section |
| U1300 | CFC Under 1300 section |
📅 Schedule
Main Tournament & Blitz
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jan 2 | 11:00 a.m | Round 1 |
| Fri, Jan 2 | 2:00 p.m | Round 2 |
| Fri, Jan 2 | 5:00 p.m | Round 3 |
| Sat, Jan 3 | 10:00 a.m | Round 4 |
| Sat, Jan 3 | 1:00 p.m | Round 5 |
| Sat, Jan 3 | 4:00 p.m | Round 6 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | 10:00 a.m | Round 7 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | 1:00 p.m | Round 8 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | 4:00 p.m | Round 9 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | 6:30 p.m | Blitz tournament |
📝 Registration
• Information & registration page:
https://www.luluislandchess.com/newyearopen2026
• Entry fees (main event):
• Early Bird: $120 (on or before December 1)
• Regular: $140 (after December 1)
• Blitz entry: $30 (January 4, 6:30 p.m.).
• Titled player offers:
• Free entry for GM/IM/WGM/WIM (valid for first 5 registrants, before January 1)
• 50% off for NM/CM/WCM/FM/WFM – email to request code
• Play-up fee: $50 (within 200 points of the section, based on the current CFC rating).
• Refund policy:
• Full refund on or before December 1, 2025
• 50% refund until December 24, 2025
• No refund after that date (regardless of weather).
For discount codes and special conditions, contact the organizer by email (see Organizer section).
👥 Organizer
The tournament is organized by Lulu Island Chess, a Lower Mainland organizer focused on high-quality classical events and local chess community development.
Contacts:
• Website: https://www.luluislandchess.com/
• Email (tournament contact): ryanleong@luluislandchess.com
🏨 Venue
Roma Hall
940 Ewen Ave, New Westminster, BC V3M 5C8, Canada
The hall offers a spacious playing area with all-day free parking directly at the venue.
🛎️ Accommodation
No official hotel packages are provided. Players can choose from hotels and short-term stays in New Westminster and the greater Metro Vancouver area according to their preferences and budget.
🚗 How to Get There
Roma Hall is located in New Westminster, British Columbia, with all-day free parking available for participants. Players are encouraged to arrive early for each round to allow for check-in and setup in the playing hall.
Start your chess year with nine serious classical games, a guaranteed prize fund, and an energetic blitz finale at the New Year Open 2026 in New Westminster!
🧾 Other
• CFC membership required for all players; if you do not have a CFC membership, you must register through
https://www.chess.ca/en/players/membership-join/
• Do not bring food into the playing area.
• Take photos only during the first five minutes of each round, and do so discreetly to avoid disturbing players.
• Keep complete silence in the tournament hall while games are in progress.
• Fully power off all electronic devices capable of making noise, communication, or chess play (including smart watches) and store them away while playing.
• Ensure that any child under 13 remains accompanied by a parent or guardian on the premises at all times.
• By registering, you give the organizers permission to take photos of you during the event and use them as needed.