Vancouver Chess Festival #15 takes place on September 19-20, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The event offers a 5-round classical tournament and a Saturday evening blitz tournament at UBC Ponderosa Ballroom.

This is a chess tournament in Vancouver, Canada, in 2026. Players can compete in a CFC-rated chess tournament with sections for adults and juniors, no rating restriction, and a guaranteed prize fund.

The festival welcomes players of different levels through Open, U2100, U1700, U1300, and U900 sections. In addition, chess sets and clocks are provided, which makes the event practical for local players, students, families, and visitors.

♟️ Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The main tournament uses a 5-round Swiss format. Each player receives 60 minutes for the game.

All adults and juniors may enter. The event has no rating restriction, so players can join the section that fits their rating level and tournament goals.

CFC ratings are used for pairings and prize eligibility. If a player does not have a CFC rating, the organizer may use FIDE, USCF, or CMA rating information.

Players may compete in a higher section if their current CFC or FIDE rating is within 200 points of the next section.

Tie-breaks follow this order: direct encounter, cumulative score, and opposition cumulative score.

💰 Prize Fund

The guaranteed prize fund is CAD 5,500, approximately $4,020.

Open Prizes

U2100 Prizes

U1700 Prizes

U1300 Prizes

U900 Awards

🧩 Sections / Groups

The tournament is open to both adults and juniors. Valid CFC membership is required for participation.

📅 Schedule

Players should arrive at least 5 minutes before each round starts. The tournament clocks will start according to the published schedule.

📝 Registration

All players must register and pay online in advance. This rule helps the organizer prepare pairings correctly before the tournament starts.

Players may request up to two half-point byes, except in the last round. They should email the request or inform the tournament director at least 24 hours before the relevant round starts.

🏛️ Organizer

Vancouver Chess School organizes Vancouver Chess Festival #15. The school runs chess lessons, camps, tournaments, and club activities for juniors and adults in the Vancouver chess community.

Email: info@vanchess.ca
Phone: +1 604 568 3283

📍 Venue

UBC Ponderosa Ballroom, 6445 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, Canada

The tournament takes place at UBC Ponderosa Ballroom on the University of British Columbia campus. Players should use the full University Boulevard address for navigation and arrive early enough before their first scheduled round.

🚆 How to Get There

Players should use UBC Ponderosa Ballroom, 6445 University Boulevard, Vancouver, as the main navigation address.

The venue is located on the UBC campus in Vancouver. Players can reach the area by public transit, car, taxi, rideshare, or campus-area transport connections.

ℹ️ Other Information

Chess notation is required for classical games. Players should bring their own scorebook.

Chess sets and clocks are provided by the organizer.

Players may not use phones or devices during games. In addition, talking or disruptive behavior is not allowed in the playing hall.

The organizer may use event photos and videos for promotional purposes unless parents request otherwise in writing.

A full refund is available when the player requests it by email at least 24 hours before the event starts. Cancellations within 24 hours and no-shows do not receive refunds.

Vancouver Chess Festival #15 offers a strong CFC-rated chess weekend with classical games, blitz action, and a welcoming Vancouver tournament setting.