FREE ENTRY - Isle of Wight Christmas Blitz 2025

To celebrate the upcoming Isle of Wight International, taking place from 16th to 22nd February 2026, we’re giving you the chance to put down the mince pies, pick up the mouse, and warm up for the main event. Take on top players from the tournament and from around the world in the Isle of Wight Christmas Blitz.

This year, we’ve gone a bit wild and are hosting FOUR 3+2 Swiss tournaments.

Join us for one, or as many as you like 🎅♟️

🏆 Prizes

🥇 Overall Winner

Highest combined score across all four events

• Free entry to any section of the 2026 Isle of Wight Chess Tournament

• £100 Amazon voucher

• (Lichess TB points used if tied)

  
  

🥇 Winner of Each Event (x4)

• Free entry to any section of the 2026 Isle of Wight Chess Tournament

• £50 Amazon voucher

  
  

♟️ U2000 Lichess Blitz Rating Prize (per event)

• Free entry to the 2026 Isle of Wight Weekday or Weekend Congress

• Awarded to the highest-placed player rated under 2000 on the Lichess Blitz rating list at the start of the event

  
  

📌 Prize Terms

• All free entry prizes are transferable to the November 2026 event or the 2027 International, if preferred.

• If you have already paid for the February 2026 event, the prize cannot be used to refund or replace that paid entry.

⏰ Event Start Times (UK time, GMT)

Saturday 20th December 2025

🕛 12:00🕒 15:00🕕 18:00🕘 21:00

♟️ Event Format

• 9 rounds per event

• 3+2 Blitz time control

• Played on Isle of Wight Chess Club on Lichess

Games will be monitored for fair play and submitted for review.

To enter just register below for FREE, to receive the access code by email (Check junk folder if you don't see it straight away).

We require your real name, Lichess username, and your FIDE or ECF ID. We will not share your personal information as a prize winner unless you consent to it.

📌 Eligibility and Prize Conditions

Please note that only current English Chess Federation (ECF) members are eligible to receive Amazon voucher prizes.

Non-ECF members may also be eligible to win Amazon vouchers only if they:

• Are registered for the 2026 Isle of Wight Tournament, or

• Have previously played in an in-person Isle of Wight tournament in 2024 or 2025

  
  

These measures are in place to support fair play and to prevent abuse, including the use of automated accounts. Prizes are not transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.If your name does not match the ECF membership or FIDE ID provided at entry, you may be removed from the event.

⏳ Prize Confirmation

• All prizes will be confirmed and paid 30 days after the end of the competitions.

• If your Lichess account is blocked for cheating during this period, you will not be eligible for any prize.

  
  

♟️ Rating

• Unlike previous events, games in this tournament are not ECF online rated.

• You are playing for fun, Lichess rating, and the chance to blitz it out with players from around the world, possibly even a Grandmaster.

  
  

🪪 Player Identification

To be eligible for prizes, you must:

• Provide a valid FIDE ID or ECF membership number at sign-up

• Ensure your name matches the details provided

• Play using your own Lichess account

  
  

🔐 Access Code

Your access code will be included in your email confirmation. Please check your junk or spam folder if it does not appear. We encourage players to join the lobby as early as possible so we can gauge participant numbers.

Isle of Wight Chess Lichess Club

Good luck!