Eligibility and Qualifying
The British Championship, British Junior Championships and British Senior Championships are restricted to citizens of the UK, British Overseas Territories, or the Republic of Ireland or players who have been resident for the last 12 months in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man.
In addition players wanting to take part in the main British championship will need to qualify based on their title, rating or other qualification criteria as set out in –
a) the British Championships Eligibility and Qualification Regulations
and
b) the supporting British Grand Prix Rules
The final list of qualifying players for the British Championships will be published in June 2023.
The British Junior and British Seniors Championships are open to all eligible players based on citizenship or residency as above with no specific qualification requirements.
All other events outside of the British Championship, British Junior Championships and British Senior Championships are open events with no specific eligibility or qualification requirements.

English players MUST be members of the English Chess Federation. ECF Gold membership is required for standardplay events and ECF Silver membership for rapid and blitz events. Entrants are encouraged to ensure that they have the correct level of membership before the event begins.

Tournament Rules
Click this link – https://www.britishchesschampionships.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-British-Chess-Championship-Tournament-Rules-V1-2.pdf

Main Playing Schedule
The summary schedule is as shown below.

Key
(A = am; P = PM; E = evening. Numbers denote round numbers. PO = playoff if required)

Session Times
A = 09.15 start (except for the morning Rapidplay which will start at 10.30 am, and the final round of  the Main Championship, Major Open and Senior Championships which will all start at 10.00)
P = 14.30 start
E = 19.00 start (except for the Junior Blitz which will start at 18.00)

Time Controls
Blue = Standard – 40 moves in 90 mins, remaining moves in 30 mins, with 30s increment per move from move 1                
Yellow = Standard – Game in 90 mins with 30s increment per move
Orange = Rapid – Game in 15 mins with 10s increment per move 
Purple = Rapid – Game in 10 mins with 5s increment per move                   
Green = Blitz – Game in 3 mins with 2s increment per move 

Event Details

British Championship 2023
Saturday 22nd to Sunday 30th July
9 round Swiss Championship with rounds starting at 2.30pm each day, aside from round 9 which will start at 10.00am on the final Sunday.
First 40 moves in 90 minutes, then 30 minutes added for remainder of game, with 30 second increments added from move 1.
The British Championship competition will include prizes/awards for the British Open and Women’s Champions.
Entry fees
GM, IM, WGM, WIM – Free (on or after 30/6/23 – £75)
FM/WFM £80 (on or after 30/6/23 – £120)
2150 and above untitled £150 (on or after 30/6/23 – £225)
2000 – 2149 inclusive £200 (on or after 30/6/23 – £275)
Under 2000 £300 (on or after 30/6/23 – £375)
Prizes
British Championship – 1st £5,000; 2nd £2,500; 3rd £1,500; 4th £1,000; 5th £1,000; 6th £750
British Women’s Championship – 1st £1,000; 2nd £500
Under 21 1st £500; 2nd £250; Under 18 £250; Under 18 Girls £250
Alexander Best Game Prize – £100
Championship Rating Prizes – 2201-2350 £300; 2051-2200 £300; 2050 and under £200
Eligibility/qualification
This tournament is open to eligible players (based on nationality or residence) who are exempted or qualified based on the qualification regulations here. The top 20 eligible players from the 2023 British Championships including ties will qualify for a place in the 2024 British Championship.
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Major Open
Saturday 22nd to Sunday 30th July
This event will run alongside the British, above. 9 round Swiss Championship with rounds starting at 2.30pm each day, aside from round 9 which will start at 10.00am on the final Sunday.
First 40 moves in 90 minutes, then 30 minutes added for remainder of game, with 30 second increments added from move 1.
Entry fees
GM, IM, WGM, WIM Free (on or after 30/6/23 – £75)
FM/WFM £60 (on or after 30/6/23 – £125)
Others £100 (on or after 30/6/23 – £175)
Prizes
1st £750; 2nd £400; 3rd £250
Performance rated prize(s) to be announced at the Championships
Eligibility/qualification
This is an open tournament with no eligibility or qualification requirement. The top 10 eligible players from the 2023 Major Open including ties will qualify for the 2024 British Championship.
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British Over 50 Championship
Monday 24th to Sunday 30th July
7 rounds over 7 days with rounds starting at 2.30pm each day, aside from round 7 which will start at 10.00am on Sunday 31st July.
First 40 moves in 90 minutes, then 30 minutes added for remainder of game, with 30 second increments added from move 1.
Seniors 50+ – born 31/12/73 or earlier
Entry fees
GM, IM, WGM, WIM Free (£75 on or after 30/06/23)
Others £70 (on or after 30/06/23 – £90)
Prizes
1st £400; 2nd £200; 3rd £100
Eligibility/qualification
This is open to all eligible players over 50 at the end of 2023, with no additional qualification requirement. The winner of this competition will qualify for a place in the 2024 British Championships.
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British Over 65 Championship
Monday 24th to Sunday 30th July
7 rounds over 7 days with rounds starting at 2.30 pm each day, aside from round 7 which will start at 10.00am on the final Sunday.
First 40 moves in 90 minutes, then 30 minutes added for remainder of game, with 30 second increments added from move 1.
Seniors 65+ – born 31/12/58 or earlier
Entry fees
GM, IM, WGM, WIM Free (£75 on or after 30/06/23)
Others £70 (on or after 30/06/23 – £90)
Prizes
1st £400; 2nd £200; 3rd £100
Eligibility/Qualification
This is open to all eligible players over 65 at the end of 2023, with no additional qualification requirement.
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British Junior Championships U16, U14, U12, U10, U8
Tuesday 25th to Saturday 29th July
7 rounds over 5 days with one round on Tuesday at 2.30pm, Thursday at 9.15am, and Saturday at 9.15am, and two rounds on Wednesday and Friday at 9.15am and 2.30pm.
All moves in 90 minutes with 30 second increments per move.
UNDER 16 (born 1/1/2007 or later); UNDER 14 (born 1/1/2009 or later); UNDER 12 (born 1/1/2011 or later); UNDER 10 (born 1/1/2013 or later); UNDER 8 (1/1/2015 or later)
Entry fees
£60 (on or after 30/06/23 – £80)
Prizes
For each Championship – 1st £240; 2nd £120; 3rd £60
Eligibility/Qualification
This tournament is open to all eligible juniors (based on nationality or residence) who meet the age limit requirements for the various sections. There is no additional qualification requirement. The U16 Championships winner will qualify for a place in the 2024 British Championships.
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Weekend Congress
Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd July
Four sections – Atkins/Open, Penrose/U2000, Soanes/U1750 and Yates/U1500
5 rounds over 3 days – Friday 21st July – Round 1 – 19.00
Saturday 22nd July – Round 2 – 9.15, Round 3 – 14.30
Sunday 23rd July – Round 4 – 9.15, Round 5 – 14.30
All moves in 90 minutes with 30 second increments per move.
Entry fees
£45 (on or after 30/06/23 – £50)
Prizes
For each section – 1st £200; 2nd £100; 3rd £50
Grading prize(s) to be announced
Eligibility/Qualification
This is an open tournament with no eligibility or qualification requirement aside from rating limits where shown.
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Weekday Morning Congress
Monday 24th to Saturday 29th
Three sections – Open, U1900, U1600
Six rounds over 6 days with one round per day starting at 9.15 each morning.
All moves in 90 minutes with 30 second increments per move.
Entry fees
£60 (on or after 30/06/23 – £80) *
* Combined fee of £100 or £120 on or after 30/06/23 for entry to both the Morning and Afternoon Congresses
Prizes
For each section – 1st £240; 2nd £160; 3rd £80; 4th £50
Eligibility/Qualification
This is an open tournament with no eligibility or qualification requirement aside from rating limits where shown.
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Weekday Afternoon Congress
Monday 24th to Saturday 29th
Three sections – U2050, U1750, U1450
6 rounds over 6 days with 1 round per day starting at 2.30 pm each afternoon.
All moves in 90 minutes with 30 second increments per move.
Entry fees
£60 (on or after 30/06/23 – £80) *
* Combined fee of £100 or £120 on or after 30/06/23 for entry to both the Morning and Afternoon Congresses
Prizes
For each section – 1st £240; 2nd £160; 3rd £80; 4th £50
Eligibility/Qualification
This is an open tournament with no eligibility or qualification requirement aside from rating limits where shown.
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Rapidplay Events
Friday 21st July, Monday 24th July and Saturday 29th July
Three sections in each event – Open, U1750, U1450
Each event will be a 7 round Swiss Rapidplay

Friday 21st Morning Event – All moves in 15 minutes with 10 second increments – Round times – 10.30, 11.40, 12.50, 14.00, 15.10, 16.20, 17.30

Monday 24th Afternoon Event – All moves in 10 minutes with 5 second increments – Round times – 14.30, 15.15, 16.00, 16.45, 17.30, 18.15, 19.00

Saturday 29th Morning Event – All moves in 15 minutes with 10 second increments – Round times – 10.30, 11.45, 13.30, 14.45, 16.00, 17.15, 18.30

Entry fees
£30 (on or after 30/06/23 – £40)
Prizes
For each section – 1st £200; 2nd £100; 3rd £50
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Blitz Events
Thursday 20th July – Evening Blitz – 9 rounds Swiss tournament
Tuesday 24th July – Evening Blitz – 9 rounds Swiss tournament
Two sections in each event – Open, U1600
All moves in 3 minutes with 2 second increments
Round times – 19.00, 19.15, 19.30, 19.45, 20.00, 20.15, 20.30, 20.45, 21.00
Entry fees
£30 (on or after 30/06/23 – £35)
Prizes
For each section – 1st £200; 2nd £100; 3rd £50
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Junior Blitz Event
Thursday 27th July – Evening Blitz – 9 rounds Swiss tournament
Two sections in each event – Open, U1600
All moves in 3 minutes with 2 second increments
Round times – 18.00, 18.15, 18.30, 18.45, 19.00, 19.15, 19.30, 19.45, 20.00
Entry fees
£30 (on or after 30/06/23 – £35)
Prizes
For each section – 1st £200; 2nd £100; 3rd £50
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Entry fees and prizes
Click here

Entries
For an up-to-date list of entrants click here

ENTER HERE

Ratings
All tournaments will be submitted to the ECF and FIDE for rating.
The ratings used for entry (or pairings) in each tournament will be as below in order of priority where indicated –

Championship  – FE
Major Open – FE
Over 50 – FE
Over 65 – FE
Under 16/14/12/10/8 – MAX (F,E)
Rating-limited sections – MAX (F,E)
Rapidplay and Junior Rapidplay – MAX (RQ), MAX (F,E)
Blitz – MAX (B,A), MAX (R,Q), MAX (F,E)

The letters above have the following meanings —

F – FIDE Standardplay Rating
R – FIDE Rapidplay Rating
B – FIDE Blitz Rating
E – ECF / National Rating
Q – ECF Rapidplay Rating
A – ECF Blitz Rating

MAX (A,B) means the higher of the two ratings – e.g. MAX (F,E) means the higher of FIDE or ECF rating will be used for the player.
A series of letter means the first available rating in the series has priority as the effective rating for the player.
Entries to rating limited events will be based on the June 2023 lists.
Pairings will be based on the most recent July 2023 rating lists.

1) Where a player has none of the above, the organisers will assign an estimate based on all available data on a case-by-case basis, failing which the player will be assigned a rating of 0
2) ECF ratings will be considered equivalent to FIDE ratings.
3) The ratings allocated by this process will be used in the calculation of any relevant prizes.

Please note that we will advise entrants for rating limited competitions if a reallocation is required following publication of the June 2023 list.
For the summary schedule in PDF format click here – BCC 23 Schedule

BCC2023 Festival Programme
In addition to the main tournament schedule, there will be a full and varied festival programme of chess-related and other events, with further details here – https://www.britishchesschampionships.co.uk/british-chess-championships-2023-chess-festival/

GDPR
Follow this link – https://www.britishchesschampionships.co.uk/gdpr-2023/

Tenders
Tenders for concessions and supporting activities will be published shortly.

Arbiters’ Expression of Interest
Follow this link – https://www.britishchesschampionships.co.uk/arbiters-expression-of-interest/

Enquiries
Email: manager.british@englishchess.org.uk
Tel: 01424 775222 (office hours only)

Leicester Information
Leicester is a unique city, rich in the arts, culture, sports and heritage, with plenty of visitor attractions and things to do. Please follow this link – https://www.britishchesschampionships.co.uk/leicester-info/