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With thanks to sponsors
And supporters
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The tournament welcomed over 400 visitors in 2025, generating £120k for the local economy during the off-season.
Our goal is to establish an annual prestigious event and attract over 1,000 visitors.
If you’re a local business and would like to support the event or offer deals for players (e.g. restaurant or attraction discounts), please get in touch.
MASTERS 2026:
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Isle of Wight Chess Tournament 2026
The Isle of Wight Chess Tournament returns in 2026, bigger and better than ever!
This year’s Masters section will take place in an upgraded playing hall at Ryde School. The tournament is open to all players with a FIDE Classical rating of 1600+ and will run from Monday, February 16th to Sunday, February 22nd, 2026.
We are expecting a strong field once again, with several Grandmasters already confirmed, and FIDE norm opportunities available.
What's New for 2026:
No late or tight rounds (Excluding congress R1)
Upgraded tables, chairs, and playing facilities
Parents "Work from chess" area provided with free wifi.
Hot food and drink available to purchase.
Tournament Schedule:
🗓️ Masters Tournament
9 rounds | February 16th–22nd
🗓️ Weekday Tournament
7 rounds | February 16th–20th (Friday morning finish)
Three sections: U2100, 1700 and now a Senior 50+ Open
🗓️ Weekend Congress
5 rounds | February 20th–22nd
🗓️ Additional Side Events
Blitz Tournament: Wednesday, Feb 18th
Masters Simuls: Friday, Feb 20th, PM
Social Chess, talks and evening activities in the town centre.
Event Details:
MASTERS
9 ROUNDS - NORM CHANCES
16 - 22 Feb 2026
90+30
FIDE & ECF RATED
2 byes allowed for 0.5 points each
(Not in the final round)
GM,WGM FREE ENTRY
Limited number of conditions available for non-English players
Email hello@iowchess.com
PRICES
Determined by FIDE rating at time of entry.
U2000 players are welcome, but a higher entry fee helps maintain a strong field and norm opportunities.
IM/WIM - £75
FM/WFM & CM/WCM - £100
Over 2000 FIDE Untitled - £135
1600 to 1999 FIDE- £175
Under 1600 FIDE - Not Eligible
SCHEDULE
Mon 16 Feb — Round 1 — 14:00
Tue 17 Feb — Round 2 — 10:00
Tue 17 Feb — Round 3 — 16:00
Wed 18 Feb — Round 4 — 14:00
Thu 19 Feb — Round 5 — 10:00
Thu 19 Feb — Round 6 — 16:00
Fri 20 Feb — Round 7 — 10:00 (TBC)
Sat 21 Feb — Round 8 — 15:00
Sun 22 Feb — Round 9 — 10:00
The schedule is designed to align with other events and social activities, and may be subject to minor adjustments and improvements.
PRIZES
£5,000
NEW: £100 Bonus for every Board #1 Win
Outright Tournament Winner Bonus + £500
1st Place — £1500
+ IOW Champion Trophy
+ Free entry and Hotel for 2027 (Valued over £700)
2nd Place — £750
3rd Place — £500
4th Place — £400
5th Place — £300
Top Woman — £350
+ Free entry and Hotel for 2027 (Valued over £700)
2nd Woman — £150
Top Junior — £150
+ Free entry 2027
Rating U2300 — £200
+ Free entry 2027
Rating U2000 — £200
+ Free entry 2027
Qualification for the British Chess Championships
In 2025 x4 eligible players qualified:
Billy Fellowes, Alexandr Pereslavtsev, Harry Z Zheng, Junyi Zhang
WEEKDAY
7 ROUNDS
16 - 20 Feb 2026
90+30
FIDE & ECF RATED
2 byes allowed for 0.5 points each
(Not in the final round)
SECTIONS:
SENIOR OPEN 50+
U2100
U1700
PRICE
All players - £75
*Players entering the SENIOR OPEN 50+ section, in the WEEKDAY tournament must be born in or before 1976.
PRIZES
Per Section
U2100 & U1700
1st Place — £500
+ Free Wildcard entry 2027 to IOW Masters
2nd Place — £200
3rd Place — £100
Rating 1 — £50
Rating 2 — £50
SENIOR OPEN 50+
1st Place — £250
2nd Place — £100
3rd Place — £50
Rating 1 — £25
Rating 2 — £25
CONGRESS
5 ROUNDS
20 - 22 Feb 2026
90+30
FIDE & ECF RATED
1 byes allowed for 0.5 points
(Not in the final round)
SECTIONS:
OPEN
U1900
U1600
PRICE
All players - £55
PRIZES
Per Section
1st Place — £500
+ Free entry 2027
2nd Place — £200
3rd Place — £100
Top in Rating Category 1 — £50
Top in Rating Category 2 — £50
BLITZ
9 ROUNDS
Wednesday 18th Feb 2026
3+2
FIDE & ECF RATED
PRICE
All players - £20 in Advance (£30 on the day)
PRIZES
1st Place — £250
2nd Place — £150
3rd Place — £100
Top in Rating Category 1 — £50
Top in Rating Category 2 — £50
Ryde School is set in over 17 acres of beautiful grounds, with stunning views across the Solent and excellent modern facilities. There is a large, free on-site car park with space for 50 vehicles.
The school is conveniently located close to ferry and Hover services, on a main bus route, and just a short walk from our recommended hotels.
Playing hall locations
This may change according to overall entries.
Masters
Modern Dining Hall with sea views: 50 to 60 Boards
Theatre: 8 to 32 Boards (TBC if this will be top tables only with spectators or extension)
Weekday
Function Hall or Sports Hall
Top of section tables may play in the Masters hall if there is space.
Congress
Same as the Weekday, Round 1 will be played in The Masters playing hall.
Final room allocations may be adjusted depending on overall entry numbers.
The school is also just a short walk from the town centre and nearby hotels, which are surrounded by a great selection of bars, cafés, and restaurants. And yes, there is a Wetherspoons, but there are also many excellent independent options to enjoy.
Venue: Ryde School, Ryde Isle of Wight
7 Queen's Rd, Ryde PO33 3BE
Travel & Accommodation
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, it's worth checking if this is better before booking.
Here's our guide on how to get here from different UK cities and Airports.
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.
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. The main town Newport has many more hotels and is a 20 minute bus or drive.
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.
Foot Passengers: Use the FastCat (22 mins) - From Portsmouth to Ryde. £31 return after 20% discount. Children are cheaper. There's often a half term travel offer at this time of year, this is usually released in Jan.
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.
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.
Private Boat/ Sail Boat: For the more nautically inclined, Ryde Marina has reasonable mooring rates: 01983 613879.
Airports: Gatwick Airport is the nearest large London airport and approx. 90 mins by train. You can also fly to Southampton or Bournemouth Airport then get the train to Portsmouth. London Heathrow is approx. 2 hours to Portsmouth.
We have secured fantastic rates with local hotels:
Special tournament rates are available for the full duration of the event and are subject to availability. To book, use the discount code on your ticket confirmation and contact the hotels directly by phone or email.
Royal Esplanade Hotel – Ryde ★★★
A Victorian seafront hotel near the beach, bus station, and train station, located just off Ryde Pier if arriving by Fast Cat Ferry. The venue is a 10 minute initially uphill walk, or a direct bus from the stop outside the hotel takes about 10 minutes for £3.
Single Room (1 person) – £55 per night, including breakfast
Double Room (single occupancy) – £65 per night, including breakfast
Double or Twin Room (2 persons) – £79 per night, including breakfast
Upgrade options available
Telephone: +44 1983 562549
Email: info@royalesplanadehotel.co.uk
Distance to Ryde School: approximately 0.6 miles / 10–15 minutes on foot
Yelf’s Hotel – Ryde ★★★★
A 4-star hotel closer to the playing venue, situated on Ryde’s main street just up from the beach and ferry terminal.
Single Room (1 person) – £65 per night, including breakfast
Double or Twin Room (single occupancy) – £75 per night, including breakfast
Double or Twin Room (2 persons) – £85 per night, including breakfast
Family Room (3+ persons) – £100 per night, including breakfast
Telephone: +44 1983 564062
Email: reservations@yelfshotel.com
Distance to Ryde School: approximately 0.3 miles / 5–7 minutes on foot
Travelodge – Ryde ★★
A budget-friendly chain hotel with modern facilities, close to beaches and local shops.
Prices from approximately £40 to £65 per night depending on dates.
Telephone: +44 871 559 1867 (Book online)
Distance to Ryde School: approximately 0.6 miles / 10–12 minutes on foot
Dorset Hotel – Ryde ★★★
A traditional guesthouse near the beach and promenade offering comfortable en-suite rooms. Approximately £60 per night, including breakfast
Telephone: +44 1983 562107
Email: dorset-hotel@btconnect.com
Distance to Ryde School: approximately 0.7 miles / 13 minutes on foot
Ryde Castle Hotel (Greene King) ★★★
A historic seafront hotel with characterful rooms, some with sea views, and an on-site bar and restaurant. Breakfast is included. Approximately £70 per night, including breakfast
Telephone: +44 1983 563755
Email: rydecastle.hotel@greeneking.co.uk
Distance to Ryde School: approximately 0.8 miles / 15 minutes on foot
More hotels and lots of Air BnB are available online.
www.islandholidayhomes.co.uk has a range of places in Ryde and nearby
Hotels Outside of Ryde
Premier Inns, Travelodges, and other chain hotels can be found in Newport, Sandown, and Shanklin. Driving time to Ryde School is around 20–25 minutes
Public bus services take approximately 20–40 minutes depending on location
Learn, Play and Social Chess Events
The goal of the tournament is to grow chess on the Isle of Wight and encourage more people to take up this brilliant sport. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, there is something for everyone to get involved in. Come along to one of our free social events, meet local players, and enjoy learning and playing chess in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
The island already has a busy local chess schedule - Check out where you can play every week here.
Learn Chess with Local Players (Pre-Tournament Sessions)
🗓️ Sunday 25 January and Sunday 1 February
⏰ 2.00pm to 4.00pm
📍 11 St Thomas’ Square, Ryde, PO33 2PJ
(The former NatWest Bank)
Free drop-in sessions led by local players. Learn the basics, play casual games, and get ready for the tournament. All ages and abilities welcome.
Opening Party and Casual Chess
🗓️ Monday 16 February
⏰ From 7.00pm
📍 Yelf’s Hotel, 54 Union Street, Ryde
Join us for a relaxed opening evening. Meet some of the players, enjoy casual chess, and help kick off tournament week.
Learn and Play During Tournament Week
🗓️ Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 February
⏰ 1.00pm to 3.00pm
📍 Yelf’s Hotel, 54 Union Street, Ryde
Local players will teach the basics, offer advice, and play friendly games. Ideal for beginners and those returning to chess.
Evening Casual Chess (Locals and Players Welcome)
🗓️ Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 February
⏰ From 7.00pm
📍 Yelf’s Hotel, 54 Union Street, Ryde
The function room will be set up with boards and clocks for casual play.
Parents are welcome to relax in the bar or enjoy food and drink while children play.
