Brainstormchess will be running 8 blitz tournaments which will be part of a summer grand prix. The tournaments will run fortnightly from Weds April 22 to 29 July 2026 at the London Mindsports centre.
Tournament dates
Weds 22nd April
Weds 6th May, Weds 20th May
Weds 3rd June, Weds 17th June,
Weds 1st July, Weds 15th July, Weds 29th July.
You can enter as many tournaments as you wish.
Click here for the latest entries! Click here to follow us on insta!
Tournament information
Start time - The first round will start at 730pm. There will be 9 rounds. The event is swiss paired (not a knockout), players compete in every round.
Eligibility to play - Membership of the ECF is not a requirement. If this is your first ever tournament you will need to register for a FIDE ID Number (FIN). You can do this for free and within a minute by clicking here or emailing your details to rating officer David Clayton iro@englishchess.org.uk The ECF can be contacted on 01424 775222 (mon-fri 9am-5pm) if you need any assistance. Enroling through any of these procedures will essentially register you for England.
Half point byes - Half point byes can be claimed for the first 2 rounds. Let me know via whatsapp if you are running late before the start of the round. My number is at the bottom of the page.
Time controls - All games will be played under the time control of 3 mins per player per game with a 2 second increment per move throughout the game starting from move 1. All results will be submitted to FIDE and the ECF for rating. The latest FIDE rules will apply.
Mobile phones/electronic devices - Players must switch their phones/tablets and smart watches off during rounds and leave their devices on the table or with the organizer. If your device is found to be on or to make a sound during a game you will immediately lose the game. Phones must remain switched off in the playing areas at all times.
Entry per tournament - £14.00 for all females or players actively registered to Hammersmith chess club £16.00 for all other players.
Entry is on a per-tournament basis. Players may register for one or more tournaments at a time and are not required to commit to multiple events in advance. Additional tournaments may be entered during the series.
Registration is only complete when payment has been received!
Withdrawal/transfer - Please inform the organizer/chief arbiter if you wish to withdraw from an event at any point before the next round.
If you wish to transfer your entry to a different tournament date of the grand prix, you may do so in writing, provided this is requested at least 24 hours in advance.
Tournament Prizes - Each tournament has a guaranteed £140.00 prize fund. In the event of a tie positional prizes will be shared. All prizes will be paid via bank transfer. A player may not win more than 1 prize per tournament.
Additional prizes may be added or prizes increased depending on the number of entries!
Guaranteed prizes per tournament - 1st - £75.00, 2nd - £40.00 Rating prize of £25.00
Grand Prix terms and conditions
* Only a maximum of 6 tournaments will count towards the Grand Prix standings. Players may compete in as many tournaments as they wish. If a player plays more than 6 tournaments, only their best 6 will be counted. This does not apply to the 'highest FIDE rating increase prize'
* No player can win more than 1 grand prix prize.
* In the event of a tie, prizes will be shared. A player will always win the highest possible prize available.
* Half point byes will not count towards the grand prix standings.
** For the 'highest FIDE rating increase' prize, FIDE blitz rating points gained within and outside are counted during the grand prix period. The grand prix period is 22nd April 2026 - 29 July 2026.
* Players who are not FIDE rated on or before 22nd April are inelegible for the highest FIDE rating increase prize. However they may be able to win rating prizes for individual tournaments if their new FIDE rating is published from a tournament after 22nd April.
Grand prix prizes
* See terms and conditions above
* Most points accumulated from the tournament series £200.00
* 2nd most points accumalated £100.00
** Highest FIDE rating increase. Rating points between the start of the tournament series and the end £75.00
* Most points accumulated by a junior £75.00 (juniors must be 18 or under on 22 April 2026)
* Most points accumulated by a female £75.00 (requires at least 5 females participants accross the series)
* If a prize category is withdrawn then this prize money may be redistributed or reassigned.
A grand prix standings table will be updated and viewable at the end of each tournament.
The organiser reserves the right to refuse or withdraw entry without providing an explanation.
Food or drinks may be purchased at the venue but must not be brought in from outside.
A list of the latest entries can be found by clicking here
Regards
Kishan Pattni ECF arbiter and event organiser
Lance Leslie-Smith FIDE arbiter