MASTERS: REGISTRATION CLOSED

WEEKDAY: REGISTRATION CLOSED

WEEKEND CONGRESS: CLOSES 23:59 18TH FEB

BLITZ: WHEN SOLD OUT OR 30 MINUTES BEFORE ROUND 1

Isle of Wight Chess Tournament 2026 — Now Open for Registration!

The Isle of Wight Chess Tournament returns in 2026 — bigger and better than ever!

Masters - Weekday - Congress & Blitz. New Blitz added Sat 21st Feb!

​

This year’s Masters section will take place in an upgraded, state-of-the-art playing hall at Ryde School. The tournament is open to all players with a FIDE Classical rating of 1600+ and will run from Monday, February 16th to Sunday, February 22nd, 2026.

.

​

50+ Masters are already confirmed and the event should provide excellent FIDE norm opportunities available.

​

What's New for 2026:

• New Masters playing hall, modern dining hall with excellent facilities.

• Top 18 boards playing in the theatre in front of spectators.

• No late or tight rounds (Excluding congress R1)

• Upgraded tables, chairs, and playing facilities

• More toilets located conveniently near the playing hall

• Parents "Work from chess" area provided with free wifi.

Please find the full tournament regulations here.

​

Tournament Schedule:

🗓️ Masters Tournament

• 9 rounds | February 16th–22nd

​

🗓️ Weekday Tournament

• 7 rounds | February 16th–20th (Friday morning finish)

• Three sections: U2100 and Under 1700 & Senior Open 50+

​

🗓️ Weekend Congress

• 5 rounds | February 20th–22nd

​

🗓️ Additional Side Events

• Blitz Tournaments: Wednesday, February 18th & Saturday 21st.

• Social Chess, talks and evening activities in the town centre.

• Masters Simuls: Friday, Feb 20th, PM

All events are FIDE & ECF rated (Saturday Blitz is not FIDE Rated):

Excluding Blitz and the Masters, all players to must hold an English Chess Federation membership level of Gold or higher (Or Junior Gold) or pay a £17.50 surcharge. You can pay this on checkout or ensure you have the relevant membership as of 1st Feb 2026. You will not be permitted to play your games without it or advance payment.

For existing Bronze members this will upgrade you to Gold for the rest of your membership term.

You can sign up for that here.

Please enter your FIDE/ECF numbers into the relevant sections or type N/A if you don't have them.

Entry level and price for the International Masters is dependent on FIDE Rating at time of booking.

Players entering the SENIOR OPEN 50+ section, in the WEEKDAY tournament must be born on or before 16th February 1976.

We will email players to confirm byes in Jan 2026. All byes after R1 can be added while at the event.

Refund Policy:

We aim to deliver a professional event, and as such, this ticketing platform charges a service fee. Refunds will incur a 7% deduction from the total order value. Refunds are not available from 1 February 2026. If more than 7 days’ notice is given for withdrawal after this date, players may transfer their entry to the 2027 event.

Please contact us if you have any questions prior to booking hello@iowchess.com