MEDWAY FIDE-rated CONGRESS
Friday 25th Sept to Sunday 27th Sept 2026
FIDE -rated & ECF-rated Standardplay (5 rounds of 90 mins + 30 seconds per move).
£50 for ECF Gold members, £66 for ECF Bronze / non-members.
Reduced rate for Medway Club members.
There are some free spaces available for female players, thanks to a generous donor. Please email [email protected] for more details.
If you are unable to pay via PayPal, please email [email protected] for bank transfer details. Online entry will close at 7pm on Thursday 24th September. Entry on the day is not possible.
NOTE: When entering the tournament via the links below, payment options do not appear until after you have entered your personal details and clicked 'Send'
Click HERE to enter the Medway Open (FIDE and ECF-rated)
Click HERE to enter the Medway U1800 (FIDE and ECF-rated)
Click HERE to enter the Medway U1400 (ECF-rated only)
BYES: If you wish to take a bye in any round (not rd5), please email [email protected]
VENUE: Chatham Masonic Hall, 5 Manor Road, Chatham, ME4 6AU
what3words location: ///afford.bridge.plus
PARKING: There is no parking at the venue, but there is a public car park less than 100m from the venue in St John's Upper car park, Waterfront Way, Chatham, ME4 4JL. what3words location for car park: ///today.palace.glove
TRAIN: Chatham Station is a 5 minute walk from the venue. Leaving the front of the station, turn right and head north on Railway Street. Take a left into New Cut (walking around Wickes car park). Where New Cut merges onto New Road Avenue, cross the road at the pedestrian crossing. Turn left once you have crossed New Road Avenue, then after 50m turn right into Manor Road.
PRIZES:
The FIDE September rating list will be used, except in the U1400 where the ECF September list will be used.
Hot and cold food and drink will be available from the bar on the day. There will also be a small secondhand book stall. Card payments will be possible on the day.
TOURNAMENT RULES
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY:
Players should be ECF members at Gold or above, or a non-ENG player with active FIDE ID, otherwise there will be an additional “Pay-to-Play” fee of £16.
Please note that entries are only accepted when the payment has been processed online. Unrated players will be requested to provide evidence of their playing strength/past grade or rating to enter them in the suitable section – the organiser reserves the right to change the section of player, or to refuse entry.
Refund requests will be considered up to 7 days before the event start time & an admin fee of £5 will be charged per refund per player. No refunds will be issued less than 7 days before the event start time for any reason.
Players may request a half-point bye in advance in any one round, except the last round.
The organiser reserves the right to adjust the prize money and/or merge sections without notice, if there are less than 48 entries for the event, OR insufficient entries (less than 16) in any section.
Please enter early to avoid paying late fee – the event is limited to 80 players.
Rate of Play
Each player will have 90 Minutes plus a 30 Second Increment from move one.
Planned Playing Schedule
Please aim to arrive before the start time to enable a prompt start to each round. While every effort will be made to adhere to the planned playing schedule, the Organiser does not take responsibility for reason/s affecting the schedule beyond their control.
Fri 25th Sept Round 1: 19:00
Sat 26th Sept Round 2: 09:30
Sat 26th Sept Round 3: 14:00
Sun 27th Sept Round 4: 09:30
Sun 27th Sept Round 5: 14:00
Planned Closing ceremony : 18:30
Refreshments
Tea, coffee, cold drinks, sandwiches and light snacks will be available at the venue to purchase. Card payment will be possible on the day.
Disabled Access
The venue is disability friendly – any such person needing help is requested to inform the organiser in advance.
Rating
The September FIDE Rating List will be used to determine player’s ratings for the tournament, except in the U1400 where the ECF September list will be used. In case a FIDE Rating is not available, Standard Ratings/Estimated Ratings (with evidence)/ ECF ratings may also be used by the organiser to determine a player’s section as required. If a player becomes ineligible for a section due a rating change after they have entered, then the organiser will email the entrant on 23rd September.
Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to winners by bank transfer only. In case of a tie on points for place position/s, the prize will be jointly shared, suitably modifying the overall prize money. In case of there being more than one player tied for the first place, there will be no second place prize, as the latter prize money will be pooled for the first prize joint winners. No player can win more than one prize and the organisers decision will be final. In all sections, players without an ECF or FIDE rating can win a maximum prize money of £50 – the remaining prize money will be apportioned to other winners in that section/s.
Pairings, Sections & Clocks
All pairings will be done using UTU Swiss software or ChessManager software.
Default time is 30 minutes, after which re-pairing may be made for each player whose opponent has not arrived and for any player otherwise having a full-point bye.
Score-sheets will be provided for those who wish to notate their games. Digital clocks will be used in all sections.
Fair Play Regulations
All mobile phones and electronic devices, including smart watches, must be switched-off at all times in the Playing Hall. They should be put either on the control desk or face-down on the playing table, or in a bag under the desk that must not be moved whilst games are in play. If it is evident that during play, a player’s device is not turned off or a player has such a device on their person or has had access to any such device, the player shall be defaulted & will unfortunately forfeit / lose the game.
Any spectators (Players are classified as spectators after finishing their games), Parents/guardians/carers and others who may enter the Playing Hall must also have their mobile phones / electronic devices switched-off at all times.
Photographs
Photographs taken at the event may be used for publicity purposes by the organiser. Any objection to photographs being taken should be notified to the organiser prior to the event.
Behaviour, parental supervision and disclaimers
Please treat the premises with respect and follow all signs and rules as requested.
A high standard of behaviour and respect for others and property is always expected. Players entering or leaving the Playing Hall while other games are in progress should do so quietly.
Smoking / Vaping including e-cigarettes is NOT allowed in the playing venue; nor is the consumption of alcohol.
The Organisers and Arbiters are unable to act “in loco parentis” for children. Parents/guardians/carers are responsible for their children throughout the entire duration of this event.
The organisers accept no responsibility for any damage, theft or accident to the person or property of any competitor, trainee or other visitor at this event. Nor are they responsible for the effects of actions of anyone else attending this event.
GDPR – Personal data is held solely for the purposes of our events. This is for administration and to inform you of future chess events. We share some data with the English Chess Federation and FIDE for rating purposes. Results, ratings and photos may be used on social media pages or in publicity unless informed otherwise. Please message the Organiser if needed.
Friday 25th Sept to Sunday 27th Sept 2026
FIDE -rated & ECF-rated Standardplay (5 rounds of 90 mins + 30 seconds per move).
£50 for ECF Gold members, £66 for ECF Bronze / non-members.
Reduced rate for Medway Club members.
There are some free spaces available for female players, thanks to a generous donor. Please email [email protected] for more details.
If you are unable to pay via PayPal, please email [email protected] for bank transfer details. Online entry will close at 7pm on Thursday 24th September. Entry on the day is not possible.
NOTE: When entering the tournament via the links below, payment options do not appear until after you have entered your personal details and clicked 'Send'
Click HERE to enter the Medway Open (FIDE and ECF-rated)
Click HERE to enter the Medway U1800 (FIDE and ECF-rated)
Click HERE to enter the Medway U1400 (ECF-rated only)
BYES: If you wish to take a bye in any round (not rd5), please email [email protected]
VENUE: Chatham Masonic Hall, 5 Manor Road, Chatham, ME4 6AU
what3words location: ///afford.bridge.plus
PARKING: There is no parking at the venue, but there is a public car park less than 100m from the venue in St John's Upper car park, Waterfront Way, Chatham, ME4 4JL. what3words location for car park: ///today.palace.glove
TRAIN: Chatham Station is a 5 minute walk from the venue. Leaving the front of the station, turn right and head north on Railway Street. Take a left into New Cut (walking around Wickes car park). Where New Cut merges onto New Road Avenue, cross the road at the pedestrian crossing. Turn left once you have crossed New Road Avenue, then after 50m turn right into Manor Road.
PRIZES:
- Open section; 1st place £250, 2nd place £120, 3rd place £80
- U1800 section; 1st place £250, 2nd place £120, 3rd place £80
- U1400 section; 1st place £250, 2nd place £120, 3rd place £80
The FIDE September rating list will be used, except in the U1400 where the ECF September list will be used.
Hot and cold food and drink will be available from the bar on the day. There will also be a small secondhand book stall. Card payments will be possible on the day.
TOURNAMENT RULES
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY:
Players should be ECF members at Gold or above, or a non-ENG player with active FIDE ID, otherwise there will be an additional “Pay-to-Play” fee of £16.
Please note that entries are only accepted when the payment has been processed online. Unrated players will be requested to provide evidence of their playing strength/past grade or rating to enter them in the suitable section – the organiser reserves the right to change the section of player, or to refuse entry.
Refund requests will be considered up to 7 days before the event start time & an admin fee of £5 will be charged per refund per player. No refunds will be issued less than 7 days before the event start time for any reason.
Players may request a half-point bye in advance in any one round, except the last round.
The organiser reserves the right to adjust the prize money and/or merge sections without notice, if there are less than 48 entries for the event, OR insufficient entries (less than 16) in any section.
Please enter early to avoid paying late fee – the event is limited to 80 players.
Rate of Play
Each player will have 90 Minutes plus a 30 Second Increment from move one.
Planned Playing Schedule
Please aim to arrive before the start time to enable a prompt start to each round. While every effort will be made to adhere to the planned playing schedule, the Organiser does not take responsibility for reason/s affecting the schedule beyond their control.
Fri 25th Sept Round 1: 19:00
Sat 26th Sept Round 2: 09:30
Sat 26th Sept Round 3: 14:00
Sun 27th Sept Round 4: 09:30
Sun 27th Sept Round 5: 14:00
Planned Closing ceremony : 18:30
Refreshments
Tea, coffee, cold drinks, sandwiches and light snacks will be available at the venue to purchase. Card payment will be possible on the day.
Disabled Access
The venue is disability friendly – any such person needing help is requested to inform the organiser in advance.
Rating
The September FIDE Rating List will be used to determine player’s ratings for the tournament, except in the U1400 where the ECF September list will be used. In case a FIDE Rating is not available, Standard Ratings/Estimated Ratings (with evidence)/ ECF ratings may also be used by the organiser to determine a player’s section as required. If a player becomes ineligible for a section due a rating change after they have entered, then the organiser will email the entrant on 23rd September.
Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to winners by bank transfer only. In case of a tie on points for place position/s, the prize will be jointly shared, suitably modifying the overall prize money. In case of there being more than one player tied for the first place, there will be no second place prize, as the latter prize money will be pooled for the first prize joint winners. No player can win more than one prize and the organisers decision will be final. In all sections, players without an ECF or FIDE rating can win a maximum prize money of £50 – the remaining prize money will be apportioned to other winners in that section/s.
Pairings, Sections & Clocks
All pairings will be done using UTU Swiss software or ChessManager software.
Default time is 30 minutes, after which re-pairing may be made for each player whose opponent has not arrived and for any player otherwise having a full-point bye.
Score-sheets will be provided for those who wish to notate their games. Digital clocks will be used in all sections.
Fair Play Regulations
All mobile phones and electronic devices, including smart watches, must be switched-off at all times in the Playing Hall. They should be put either on the control desk or face-down on the playing table, or in a bag under the desk that must not be moved whilst games are in play. If it is evident that during play, a player’s device is not turned off or a player has such a device on their person or has had access to any such device, the player shall be defaulted & will unfortunately forfeit / lose the game.
Any spectators (Players are classified as spectators after finishing their games), Parents/guardians/carers and others who may enter the Playing Hall must also have their mobile phones / electronic devices switched-off at all times.
Photographs
Photographs taken at the event may be used for publicity purposes by the organiser. Any objection to photographs being taken should be notified to the organiser prior to the event.
Behaviour, parental supervision and disclaimers
Please treat the premises with respect and follow all signs and rules as requested.
A high standard of behaviour and respect for others and property is always expected. Players entering or leaving the Playing Hall while other games are in progress should do so quietly.
Smoking / Vaping including e-cigarettes is NOT allowed in the playing venue; nor is the consumption of alcohol.
The Organisers and Arbiters are unable to act “in loco parentis” for children. Parents/guardians/carers are responsible for their children throughout the entire duration of this event.
The organisers accept no responsibility for any damage, theft or accident to the person or property of any competitor, trainee or other visitor at this event. Nor are they responsible for the effects of actions of anyone else attending this event.
GDPR – Personal data is held solely for the purposes of our events. This is for administration and to inform you of future chess events. We share some data with the English Chess Federation and FIDE for rating purposes. Results, ratings and photos may be used on social media pages or in publicity unless informed otherwise. Please message the Organiser if needed.