Congress latest news:
2027 dates — Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd January 2027
Links:
Link to Live boards (DGT Viewer) // Link to Live Boards (Lichess)
The 2027 Congress will follow the successful format of previous years with a five-round event across four sections from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon.
LIVE DGT chess boards for the top boards in ALL sections
Large practice/study area with TV screens displaying matches from every section.
Chess Essentials book store
Date:
Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd January 2027
Location:
The Wrekin Housing Group, Colliers Way, Old Park, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 4AW
Sections and Prizes:
Open – ECF-rated
First £300, Second £150, Third £75
Major U1900 – ECF-graded
First £300, Second £150, Third £75
Intermediate U1700 – ECF-graded
First £300, Second £150, Third £75
Minor U1500 – ECF-graded
First £300, Second £150, Third £75
3 RATING PRIZES IN EVERY SECTION
Best Performing Female Player
A £100 prize for the best performing female player in any section.This prize will be awarded to the female whose performance rating outperforms their own rating by the highest amount. Unrated players and defaults will be ignored from the calculation.
For calculating the average performance rating the “algorithm of 400” will be used: Performance rating = [(Total of opponents’ ratings + 400 * (Wins – Losses)) / Games]
No player may win more than one prize in any section. In the event of a shared place prize, all prize money will be split equally.
Best Performing Shropshire Junior Player
The best performing Shropshire Junior will be awarded The Ray Cox Junior Trophy. This prize will be awarded to the Shropshire junior player who scores the highest number of points in any section. In the event of a tie on points, the trophy will be awarded to the junior with the highest bucholz score (sum of opponents scores).
To be eligible to win this trophy you must be:
– Born on or after 1st September 2008 and either:
– Resident in Shropshire or;
– Attend school in Shrosphire or;
– Attend a chess club in Shropshire
Entry fees:
All sections – Adult/Junior £39
ECF Congress fee for all sections if not Gold/Platinum member – additional £15
Playing Schedule:
Round 1 – Fri 1 Jan 2027 – 7pm – 11pm
Round 2 – Sat 2 Jan 2027 – 9.30am – 1.30pm
Round 3 – Sat 2 Jan 2027 – 2.30pm – 6.30pm
Round 4 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 – 9.30am – 1.30pm
Round 5 – Sun 3 Jan 2027 – 2.30pm – 6.30pm
There will not be a Prize giving ceremony; prizes will be paid to winners following the event.
Players may request a half-point bye in any one of the first four rounds at the time of entry.
Rate of Play
All moves in 100 minutes, plus 10 seconds per move, from move one.
(All moves to be recorded until your clock goes under 5 minutes remaining)
Ratings and gradings
ECF Ratings from the December 2026 ECF list will be used.
Other information
Disabled access, Free Parking on site
Arbiters: TBA
It is a requirement of the venue that all entrants must sign themselves in and out whenever they enter or leave the building.
Default time = 45 minutes
Entries will be capped at 180.
Catering and refreshments
Friday/Saturday evening- Light snacks and an honesty box
Saturday/Sunday- cooked breakfasts from the Wrekin Housing Group catering team
– main courses served from lunch time inc Sunday roast
Tea, coffee and soft drinks available throughout the weekend.
The menu and prices should be similar to last year:
