- Event Summary
- Introduction to the Central London Chess Congress
- Playing Schedule
- Map and Directions
- Parking
Event Summary
IMPORTANT NOTE: Entries are not considered complete until the entry fee has been paid.
Enter online by clicking here!
You can see current entrants by clicking here (not updated in real time).
DATE: 22/Apr/2022 (Fri.) to 24/Apr/2022 (Sun.)
VENUE: Imperial College Union (2nd Floor, Union Concert Hall), Beit Quadrangle, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BB
CHIEF ORGANISER: John Sargent
CHIEF ARBITER: Adam Raoof
CLOSEST TUBE: South Kensington / Gloucester Road / High Street Kensington, Zone 1
EVENT FORMAT: 5 Round Swiss
ENTRY RESTRICTIONS: Due to licensing restrictions by Westminster Council placed on the building in which the congress is being held, the tournament is only open to people over the age of 18 (as of 22/Apr/2022).
COVID RESTRICTIONS: SUBJECT TO CHANGE DEPENDING ON VENUE REQUIREMENTS, BUT PROVISIONALLY PLEASE ASSUME THE FOLLOWING – Face coverings during play will be mandatory unless both players agree before the start of the game. Persons who are medically exempt from wearing masks are welcome, and requested to let the arbiters know before the start of the tournament. Players are asked to wash their hands regularly and use sanitiser when entering the playing hall.
TIME CONTROL: 90 minutes per player for all moves plus a 30 second increment starting from move one. Default / repairing time 30 minutes.
SECTIONS: Open, Major (U2000 ECF & FIDE), Minor (U1750 ECF & FIDE). Open and Major sections will be FIDE rated, all three sections will be ECF rated. Please note the ECF Membership Requirements below. Players in the Major and Minor must meet BOTH FIDE & ECF rating criteria.
ECF MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: All players in the Minor regardless of nationality must be ECF Silver members or above, or pay an additional £12 pay-to-play fee on top of their entry fee. ENG players in the Open and Major must be ECF Gold members or above, with no exceptions. Membership must be purchased prior to participation in the tournament. It is the responsibility of the entrant to ensure they meet these requirements at the time of entry submission. Entry may be refused if these requirements were not met at the time of entry submission.
ENTRY COST: £45 for all sections, with additional £12 pay-to-play fee where applicable (see note above re: ECF membership requirements). Entries on the day are subject to organiser’s discretion and event capacity.
FOOD AND DRINK AVAILABILITY: There will be free water, hot drinks (tea and coffee) and some snacks available throughout the event to players, offered for a voluntary donation. For more substantial meals, there are numerous shops and restaurants on Gloucester Road and near South Kensington which are within a short walk of the venue. Additionally the venue is located on the floor above the Union bar (although it will be closed in the mornings) which serves food and drink.
PRIZES: Guaranteed minimum £200 / £150 / £100 in the Open, £150 / £100 / £70 in both the Major and Minor sections. Additional money to the prize pool and grading prizes will be added at the organiser’s discretion depending on number of entries.
BYE: Players may request a half-point bye in advance (on the online entry form) for Rounds 1 through 4. Byes may not be taken for the final round.
Enter online by clicking here!
Introduction to the Central London Chess Congress
Imperial College has a history of hosting chess congresses several decades ago, and revived the tradition with its first long-play congress in over a decade in late 2011. We have since followed up with multiple events and this will be our 12th!
A weekend of competitive chess in a great Zone 1 location, the venue is also conveniently located directly above the Imperial College Union bar, serving a variety of drink (at good prices!) to satisfy the thirst of our competitors as well as offering a variety of snacks and food. Many restaurants and takeaways (info provided on the day for any who would like) are also comfortably within a short walk.
A small word of warning during round 1 (Friday night): being above the Union bar, it is likely there will be some background noise / music downstairs after about 20.00 but hopefully nothing too loud! The rounds have been scheduled so that there should be minimal noise from other Union activities throughout the rest of the weekend.
Playing Schedule
Registration Opens: Friday, 22/Apr/2022 – 17.00
Introduction and Announcements: Friday, 22/Apr/2022 – 17.50
Round 1: Friday, 22/Apr/2022 – 18.00 to 22.00
Round 2: Saturday, 23/Apr/2022 – 10.00 to 14.00
Round 3: Saturday, 23/Apr/2022 – 15.00 to 19.00
Round 4: Sunday, 24/Apr/2022 – 10.00 to 14.00
Round 5: Sunday, 24/Apr/2022 – 15.00 to 19.00
Map and Directions
The event will be held in the Union Concert Hall on the second floor of the main Imperial College Union building. When you walk into the Beit Quadrangle, walk straight ahead through the clearing and enter the main Union building. Upstairs on the second floor is the venue. There are two lifts you can use as well as the stairs.
The closest tube stations are South Kensington, Gloucester Road and High Street Kensington (all approx. 10 minute walk). The official address is:
2nd Floor, Union Concert Hall
Imperial College Union
Beit Quadrangle
Prince Consort Road
SW7 2BB
Please see below a map showing Imperial College’s South Kensington campus and where the Central London Chess Congress will be played. The location is marked with the red arrow.
Parking
Parking may be available nearby (but not part of the Union itself), however we recommend using public transport if available. For more information please visit the below webpage (there is a phone contact for more details enquiries).
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/estates-facilities/travel/car-parking/public-parking/
There are also limited meter parking spaces around Exhibition Road and around the Hyde Park area.
Contact
Any queries can be directed to John Sargent (the Congress Director) via e-mail, at johnsargent [at] gmail [dot] com.