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Playing images from 2024 Congress in smaller venue
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Player images curtesy of Chessbase, Wikipedia and John Upham/ British Chess News, Dennis Dicen
Wightlink Isle of Wight International Chess Tournament Feb 2025
The Island will host elite chess players from across the globe in a six day, nine round tournament. Ryde is a sea side town with many hotels and Airbnbs, currently you can get rooms near the venue for £55PN with breakfast. If traveling by car you are never more than a 45 min drive from the venue. Newport has many more hotels and is around a 20 min drive away.
The Wightlink Isle of Wight Masters has a £4,000+ prize pool and norm chances, aiming to attract a large number of Grandmasters and other titled players. Players over 1600 FIDE are eligible to enter. All boards are DGT and broadcast live.
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The Visit IOW "Holiday" U2000 will also see a strong field competing over six rounds, Tues - Fri. This is not a norms event but it is a fantastic opportunity for junior and casual players to gain experience playing in a longer competition over the February half term break. Most boards will be DGT Smart Board.
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The event culminates with the five round Wightlink Congress, which is a perfect bolt on for players taking part in the U2000 tournament. We should have around x40 DGT boards for this and most players will get a chance to use them.
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Players will also have the chance to compete for additional cash and DGT prizes with three separate Blitz events. The Friday afternoon session being perfect for people finishing the U2000 and early enough for anyone arriving for the Congress. These will be 100% on DGT Smart Board.
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The event welcomes junior players. There is a viewing platform looking over the main playing area and a café where parents can wait but there is also a large theatre nearby with live screens and commentary. One parent must remain within the school grounds. We have side events to occupy parents.
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International Arbiter, Shohreh Bayat, is once again is in charge and we already have an excellent line up of players including 40 Masters. All games will be FIDE and ECF Rated. There will be a large number of Smart Boards (100) providing most players the opportunity to play and have their games broadcast live on chess.com and Lichess.
Venue: The Ryde School, Ryde Isle of Wight
Ryde School has over 17 acres of beautiful grounds with stunning Solent views and great modern facilities.
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There's a large and free car park at the venue with 50 spaces.
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The school is very close to ferry services, on the main bus route and a short walk from our recommended hotels. ​​
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Play will be in the heated main sports hall. Water, tea, and coffee will be provided free of charge in the playing room for players and VIP spectators. Snacks and drinks can be purchased in the Theatre before play, where families and players (after their games) can enjoy live commentary on a large screen. A viewing balcony is also available in the playing hall for parents who wish to stay in the room.
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The school is a short walk back to the town and hotels, which are surrounded by bars, cafés, and restaurants. Yes, there is a Wetherspoons, but there are also many excellent independent restaurants and bars.
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A smoking/vaping area is provided outside of the playing hall.
​There will be a Chess & Bridge shop open throughout the tournament in the main school reception and entrance.
Travel & Accommodation
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Our sponsors Wightlink, have generously provided a 20% discount on both foot and car ferry travel. A 50% discount is available to first 50 players in the Masters. We will email these unique codes to registered players towards the end of this year. Please note that up to x7 passengers can travel on one Car Ferry booking or you can use on a mini bus etc. Many local hotels also offer deals on car crossings with your stay.
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Hotels: Ryde is a seaside destination with many local hotels and great rates out of season. Also lot's of Airbnb and traditional B&B. See the list below and click to book directly using the discount code on your ticket confirmation email.
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​Ryde is also connected by train (Sandown & Shanklin) and has great bus links, so if you did want to stay further out and see more of the island, you are never more than 1 hour from the venue.
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If driving there are x4 large Away resorts on the Island. These are higher end Caravans and Chalets, (Hot tub optional!). On your ticket confirmation email there is a 5% discount Code (the 15% offer has now expired) for Away Resorts. This allows a family of x4 to stay for 6 nights for around £330 or less. Whitecliff Bay and St Helens are both within a 20 minute drive of the venue. This discount also applies for shorter stays for other the Congress and U2000 tournament.
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How to get here:​
The easiest route is from Portsmouth Harbour Train station. The train stops right outside the Ferry Terminal which is itself within the station.
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Foot Passengers: Use the FastCat (22 mins) - From Portsmouth to Ryde. £31 return after 20% discount.​
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Ferry's depart just after the hour at either 15 or 20 past. Try to arrive around the hour mark by train to avoid waiting around. Ferry time table.
You will arrive on Ryde Pier, a train usually departs approx. 5 mins later which will take you to the end of the pier. Alternatively, weather and luggage depending this is a fantastic 10 min walk down the pier. You can also book a local cab by using the taxi phone in the Portsmouth terminal.
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Car travel: A similar discount is available for car travel or foot passengers on the car ferry (45 mins). This travels from Portsmouth (different departure terminal) to Fishbourne, which is a 10 minute drive from the venue. Many local hotels offer discounted car crossings, check these as it may be better than our 50% or 20% discount.
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Private Boat/ Sail Boat: For the more nautically inclined, Ryde Marina has reasonable mooring rates: 01983 613879.
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Airports: Gatwick Airport is the nearest large London airport and approx. 90 mins by train. You can also fly to Southampton Airport then get the train to Portsmouth (though flights are normally more expensive). London Heathrow is approx. 2 hours to Portsmouth.​​​​​​​​
We have secured fantastic rates with a local hotels:
Below rates are for any for any duration during the tournament. Use the code on your ticket confirmation and call or email either the hotels to get the rates.
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The Royal Esplanade hotel is near the beach and the main bus and train station. This is immediately after you come off the pier if travelling by Fast Cat Ferry. It's a 10/15 min walk slightly uphill to the venue, the local bus stop is outside and you can go directly to the venue in 10 mins for £2.
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£55 Per night single room, x1 person, incl breakfast
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£82 Per night Double/Twin x 2 persons, incl breakfast
Upgrade supplements available
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The Yelf's Hotel is a 4 Star Hotel very close to the playing venue and on the main street up from the beach and Ferry.​
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£60 Per night single room, x1 person, incl breakfast
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£75 Per Double Room x1 person, incl breakfast​
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​​​These are available until they sell out. You must call or email and use the discount code provided on your player entry confirmation. The deposit is £25.​​​​​​​​​
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Other hotels and various room sizes are also available, see the list below for contact info. Click to go directly to the hotel website.
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Nearby Hotels to book directly:
Event Details:
INTERNATIONAL MASTERS
9 ROUNDS - NORM CHANCES
18 - 23 Feb 2025
Capacity x120
90+30
FIDE & ECF RATED
2 byes allowed for 0.5 points each
(1 bye if conditions provided)
Not in the final round
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GM,WGM £50
​IM/WIM or 2400+ £60
(Conditions may be avail from your Federation)
FM/WFM or 2300+ £105
2000 to 2299 £135
1600 to 1999 £185
1600 to 2400 Women's Player £85
Under 1600 FIDE - Not Eligible
PRIZES
£4,000
​1st £1500 + Trophy​
2nd £750
3rd £500
4th £300
5th £150
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​Rating Prizes (by tie break):
Highest placing 2100 to 2299 £100
Highest placing 1900 to 2099 £100
Highest placing Under 1899 £100
(Based on FIDE rating)
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Best Woman £250
2nd Best Woman £100
(As determined by ECF/FIDE Profile)
Best Under 18 £100
Best 55+ £100​
Players on tied points will split the prize pool.
(For example if x3 players come 1st, they will split £2,750 and the next player will be 4th.)
The trophy will go to the winner by tie break ranking.
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Players are eligible for one cash prize and will receive the highest of these.
None placing prizes are determined by tie break.
None FIDE rated players are not eligible for rating prizes.
Prize pool subject to minimum player capacity being achieved.
PRIZES
£1,500
1st £300 + Trophy​
2nd £225
3rd £125
4th £100
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​Rating Prizes:
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Highest placing 1600 to to 1799 £100
2nd highest placing 1600 to to 1799 £75
(Based on highest of ECF & FIDE rating)
Highest placing 1400 to to 1599 £100
2nd highest placing 1400 to to 1599 £75
(Based on highest of ECF & FIDE rating)
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Highest placing Under 1399 £100
2nd highest placing Under 1399 £75
(Based on highest of ECF & FIDE rating)
Best Woman £75
(As determined by ECF/FIDE Profile)
Best Under 18 £75
Best 55+ £75
Final ranking determined by tie break. Players are eligible for one cash prize.
Unrated (ECF & FIDE) players are not eligible for rating prizes and will receive 50% of cash prizes.
Prize pool subject to minimum player capacity being achieved.
HOLIDAY U2000
6 ROUNDS
18 - 21 FEB 2025
Capacity x80
90+30
FIDE & ECF RATED
2 byes allowed for 0.5 points each
(Not in the final round)​​
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Entrants
£65
£55 Women's Player
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(Must be under 2000 FIDE Standard at time of entry. Players exceeding 2049 FIDE Standard on 1st Jan 2025 will be moved to the Masters)
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Gain experience playing in a longer tournament format and test your skills over the four day event.
A professional tournament structure for the amateur player with prizes available for all levels. Your games will coincide with the elite players in the Open.
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When you finish you can watch the top table games in a 250 seat theatre or on the live broadcast screens.
CONGRESS
5 ROUNDS - OPEN, MAJOR, MINOR
ALL SECTIONS NOW FIDE RATED
21 - 23 FEB 2025
Capacity x80
All Entrants
£55
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1 bye allowed for 0.5 points
(Not in the final round)
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Open
90+30
ECF/FIDE
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U1850
90+30
ECF/FIDE
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U1550
90+30
FIDE/ECF
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(Tournament entry based on highest of FIDE/ECF rating. You will be moved up to the relevant section according to rating 1st Feb 2025. You may play in a higher section than your rating if you wish to.
PRIZES
£2,000
OPEN
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1st £250 + Trophy​
2nd £175
3rd £150
4th to 8th
Chess and Bridge Goody Bag
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​Rating Prizes:
Highest placing
Under 2000 £75
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2nd highest placing
Under 2000 £50
(Based on highest of ECF & FIDE rating)
Best Woman £50
(As determined by ECF/FIDE Profile)
Best Under 18 £50
Best 55+ £50
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U1850​
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1st £175 + Trophy​
2nd £150
3rd £100
4th to 8th
Chess and Bridge Goody Bag
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​Rating Prizes:
Highest placing
Under 1700 £50
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Highest placing
Under 1600 £50
(Based on highest of ECF & FIDE rating)
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​​Best Woman £25
(As determined by ECF/FIDE Profile)
Best Under 18 £25
Best 55+ £25
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U1550
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1st £125 + Trophy​
2nd £75
3rd £50
4th to 8th
Chess and Bridge Goody Bag
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Best Woman £25
(As determined by ECF/FIDE Profile)
Best Under 18 £25
Best 55+ £25
Final ranking determined by tie break. Players are eligible for one cash prize.
Unrated players are not eligible for rating prizes and will receive 50% of cash prizes.
Prize pool subject to minimum player capacity being achieved.
3 PRIZE POOLS
£1,000
Each Event:
1st £100 + Trophy​
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2nd £75
3rd £50
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Highest placing U2000 £50​​
Highest placing U1500 £50
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Additional Prizes will also be available from DGT
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(Based on highest of ECF & FIDE Blitz rating)
Final ranking determined by tie break. Players are eligible for one cash prize.
Unrated players are not eligible for rating prizes and will receive 50% of cash prizes.
Prize pool subject to minimum player capacity being achieved.
