Online entry form. List of entries received to date Printable brochure and entry form Facebook Accommodation List of Gloucester Champions
55th Cotswold Congress
Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th and Monday 26th May 2025
King's School, Pitt Street, Gloucester, GL1 2BG

All sections will be ECF and FIDE rated. You must either be an ECF member at Gold level or above or a member of your national chess association or pay the Game Fee of £15.
Venue
The congress committee is very grateful to The King's School, Gloucester for allowing the use of their school hall for this event.
  • Disclaimer - The school cannot accept liability for any loss or damage arising at the congress.
  • The King's School is situated in the heart of the city, next to the Cathedral. If you are using SatNav please enter 'Gouda Way' - this will bring you directly to the main school entrance and car parks. Entry on foot is via Pitt Street
  • There is ample free parking available in the school grounds.
  • Disclaimer - The school cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising at the congress.
  • Smoking or vaping is not permitted anywhere on the school premises. Please do not drop litter.
  • Personal mains electrical equipment is not permitted to be used on the school premises.
  • Mobile phones must be switched off in and around the playing area.
    • Timetable
    Saturday 24th May. Round 1: 10.00am Round 2: 3.00pm
    Sunday 25th May. Round 3: 10.00am Round 4: 3.00pm
    Monday 26th May. Round 5: 10.00am Round 6: 3.00pm>
    Rate of Play
    Each player receives 90 minutes plus 30-second increment per move from move one. Digital clocks will be used.
    General
    Accommodation
    Gloucester Tourist Information is within the museum, Brunswick Road, Gloucester, GL1 1HP; tel: 01452 396572 or visit https://www.visitgloucester.co.uk/where-to-stay/ to book accommodation online.
    Refreshments
    There are numerous eating and drinking establishments within walking distance.
    Players with impairments
    Please indicate if you have any impairment which requires special circumstances or remedial actions which need to be taken.
    Equipment
    The congress committee wishes to thank the Bude Chess Centre for providing the playing equipment. Email: chess@budechess.co.uk Tel: 01288 353070
    Emergency contact number
    If you are delayed en route or cannot turn up for a game, please text 07910 240299

    Enquiries
    Enquiries by email up to Wednesday May 21st to cotswoldchesscongress@gmail.com

    Sections
    Open
    Open to all.
    Major
    For players rated below 1860.
    Minor
    For players rated below 1635.
    Rating
  • The March 2025 ECF OTB rating list will be used to determine selection allocation.
  • Unrated players must provide evidence of their playing strength, including recent results, previous grades or ratings, prizes won and a reasonable rating estimate. Prizes for unrated players will be at the discretion of the congress committee.
    		•
    Schedule
    Round 1 Saturday 24th 10.00 a.m.
    Round 2 Saturday 24th 3.00 p.m.
    Round 3 Sunday 24th 10.00 a.m.
    Round 4 Sunday 24th 3.00 p.m.
    Round 5 Monday 26th 10.00 a.m.
    Round 6 Monday 26th 3.00 p.m.
    Rate and Conditions of Play
  • Digital clocks will be used. Each player will receive 90 minutes plus 30-second increment per move from move one.
  • If a player has not arrived for their game within 30 minutes of the start time, that player will be defaulted, and the controllers may re-pair his/her opponent.
  • Players must abide by the FIDE laws of chess and any decisions made by the controllers in interpretation of the Laws are final.
  • Competitors may request a ½-point bye in any one round (except the final round) before the start of the congress.
    • Prizes
    Open
    1st £300. 2nd £200. 3rd £140.
    Major
    1st £240. 2nd £160. 3rd £110.
    Minor
    1st £240. 2nd £160. 3rd £110.
    Other prizes may be awarded, at the discretion of the organisers, based on the number of entries to each section.
    ECF membership
    Current ECF membership is required at the Gold level. Players (including juniors) not satisfying this condition at 22nd May, including Bronze members, will need to pay a Game Fee of £15 in addition to their entry fee. At the end of the congress the organisers will arrange for this to be paid to the ECF.
    Entries
  • Entries will be accepted up to Midday on Wednesday 21st May (or when maximum comfortable capacity has been reached) only if the entry fee has been paid on or before Midday on Thursday 22nd May.
  • The congress committee reserves the right to refuse entry and to transfer competitors to other sections and to cancel or split any section at its discretion.
  • Information provided on the entry form may be recorded and used for congress administration, mailing lists (no information is provided to third parties for this purpose) and rating purposes. Photos may be taken for use on the congress Facebook page or website. If you do not want your photo published, please inform the organisers.
  • Enquiries by email up to Wednesday, 21st May to cotswoldcongress@gmail.com
    • Entry Fees
    Open: £40. Major and Minor: £34. Players under 18 years old at 23rd May 2025 may deduct £4 from the entry fee; please give date of birth. Entries are only considered completed only when the entry fee has been paid by the due date.
    To enter the congress
    Complete the online entry form. and follow the instructions for payment and submission OR
    download the brochure, print and complete the paper entry form and send it to Matthew Hammond, 12 Serlo Road, Gloucester, GL1 2QW. Details of how to pay are in the brochure.