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Welcome to the Richmond International Chess Festival 2026! We are excited to be hosting this tournament in the City of Richmond, known for it’s rich history with chess, having been the host city for the CYCC in 1999!. This tournament features a new annual trophy, with each year’s champion’s name to be engraved to honour their achievement. Play for a guaranteed prize pool of $6,000 CAD.

Location : Richmond Curling Club, BC 5540 Hollybridge Way, Richmond, BC V7C 4N3

Early bird entry fee: $130 + GST
Early bird entry deadline: Nov 27th, 2026
Regular entry fee: $150 + GST
Regular entry deadline: Dec 20th, 2026
Rush entry fee: $180 + GST
Rush entry deadline: Dec 24th, 2026
– Play-up fee: $30 if the player is within 100 points range, $50 if player is within 200 points range.
Free entry for players rated 2300 and up, no prize money deductions. Travel conditions may be offered to GMs/ IMs from outstation before EB deadline.

Classical Format: FIDE + CFC Rated Classical (90 min + 30 sec increment per move); 9 rounds
Sections: OPEN (FIDE + CFC Rated) & U1600 (CFC Rated only) & U1100 (CFC Rated only)

Bonus Blitz Format: FIDE + CFC Rated (3 min + 2 sec increment per move); 9 rounds ($15 entry fee).
Sections: OPEN (FIDE + CFC Rated)

Dec 26th, 2025: Round 1 at 10am & Round 2 at 3pm/ ASAP
Dec 27th, 2025: Round 3 at 10am & Round 4 at 3pm/ ASAP
Dec 28th, 2025: Round 5 at 10am & Round 6 at 3pm/ ASAP
Dec 29th, 2025: Round 7 at 10am & Round 8 at 3pm/ ASAP
Dec 30th, 2025: Round 9 at 10am. Prizes at 3pm/ ASAP. Bonus Blitz OPEN from 4pm to 6pm.

We may modify the U1600 and 1100 sections based on actual entries/ player composition.

Unrated players who have opted to obtain their CFC membership on their own, must complete the same before round 1 starts and submit their CFC ID via email to us. Failure to do so may result in denied entry.

This tournament follows all FIDE rules of Chess as per the applicable formats. Also refer the FIDE handbook  

Please read and ensure that you adhere to our Tournament Policies & Guidelines.

For additional queries/ to volunteer, email us at [email protected].

Register Here:

1Step 1 (CFC Info)
2Step 2 (Player Info)
3Step 3 (Payment Info)
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is the governing body of the sport of chess, and it regulates all international chess competitions. Constituted as a non-governmental institution, it was recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a Global Sporting Organization in 1999.

FIDE currently has its headquarters in Lausanne, but it was initially founded in 1924 in Paris under the motto “Gens una Sumus” (Latin for “We are one Family”). It was one of the very first International Sports Federations, alongside the governing bodies of the sports of Football, Cricket, Swimming, and Auto Racing. It is now one of the largest, encompassing 199 countries as affiliate members, in the form of National Chess Federations. Chess is nowadays a truly global sport, with dozens of millions of players in all the continents, and more than 60 million games on average played every day.

If you do not have a FIDE ID - please obtain the same before tournament start date. The link to the details on how to do it is: https://tinyurl.com/fide-info

Registered Players: