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October is nearly here, with the Pall Mall Masters first up, followed by Rotterdam [full months ago], 18-game blitz at Child’s Hill, Bushey congress and a two-day Muswell Hill congress. Plenty of very different ways to play!
Fancy a congress abroad? I've added Gothenburg FIDE Congress [Sweden see above for one of the playing rooms] to my calendar, it is scheduled for end of May 2027! Put it in your diary now, it will be full.
🏆 3–4 OCTOBER — Pall Mall Masters: Rapid & Blitz
📍 Army & Navy Club, 36–39 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5JN
A rather special weekend of strong rapid and blitz chess in Pall Mall.
♟️ Saturday: Rapid rounds 1–5 from 10am, followed by the Blitz from 4pm, finishing around 7pm
♟️ Sunday: Rapid rounds 6–10 from 10am, finishing around 3pm
🏆 Masters: at least £4,750 in prizes — £1,500 first prize
🏆 Challengers: at least £2,400 — £750 first prize
🌍 Live games / official broadcast:
https://www.chess.com/events/2026-army-and-navy-club-pall-mall-masters-super-rapid
I’m really looking forward to this one — strong chess in one of London’s most distinctive venues.
Please note: this is an invitation event, so there is no public entry form.
🇳🇱 9–11 OCTOBER — Rotterdam FIDE Weekend Congress
📍 Klooster het Oude Noorden, Ruivenstraat 81, Rotterdam
Now full, apologies
https://www.rotterdamchess.nl/
⚡ SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER — MCCA FIDE Blitz
📍 All Saints Church, Child’s Hill, Church Walk, London NW2 2TJ
🕐 1pm–5pm
If you like blitz, this is a lot of chess for one afternoon: nine double rounds — 18 games!
⏱️ 3+2
♟️ FIDE & ECF rated
🏆 First, second and rating prizes
💷 £35 in advance / £40 on the day
📝 Enter:
https://eu.jotform.com/form/243094045258962
🌍 On the horizon
🏆 24–25 OCTOBER — Bushey FIDE Congress
📍 St Margaret’s School, Merry Hill Road, Bushey WD23 1DT
Five rounds of FIDE & ECF-rated standard chess at 60+30.
Sections: Under 2400 • Under 1900 • Under 1600 FIDE • ECF Under 1400
♟️ Three rounds Saturday, two Sunday
🏆 £200 first prize in the U2400 and U1900
🏆 £160 first prize in the U1600 and ECF U1400
🚗 Player parking available on campus
A proper weekend congress, but still very easy to reach from London.
📝 Enter:
https://pci.jotform.com/form/261842613138052
♟️ 27–28 OCTOBER — Muswell Hill FIDE Congress
📍 The Clissold Arms, 105 Fortis Green, London N2 9HR
Four FIDE & ECF-rated standard games over two days in one Under 2400 section.
⏱️ 60+30
🕥 Rounds at 10.30am and 2pm each day
🏆 1st £200 • 2nd £100 • 3rd £50, plus a rating prize based on 20 players
💷 Entry £50
This is a good one if you want proper standard chess but don’t fancy giving up a weekend.
📝 Enter:
https://bit.ly/muswellhillfidechess
⚡ THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER — Hendon FIDE Rapid
📍 Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club, 25 Alvanley Gardens, London NW6 1JD
🕢 7.30pm–10pm
Four FIDE & ECF-rated rapid games at 15 minutes per player.
💷 £10 Hendon members / £15 non-members
A useful little evening tournament — four rated games and still home at a sensible hour.
📝 Enter:
https://eu.jotform.com/223182956138966
Chess England:
https://www.chessengland.com