SOMERSET COUNTY CHESS ASSOCIATION

Frome Chess Congress 2026

Online entry is now live!

All sections (except the Standard section) are now FIDE rated.

Players who have never been FIDE rated before will be assigned a new FIDE ID.
Please note that your date of birth is required for FIDE registration.

Please see this year's Congress Brochure.

Results and pairing information will be published at chess-results.com

If you have any questions please email fromecongress@gmail.com.

For urgent queries only you may telephone +44 (0)7833 680723

last updated 27/1/2026

The 35^th FROME CHESS CONGRESS

May 15^th - 17^th 2026

Selwood Academy, Berkley Road, Frome, Somerset BA11 2EF

Selwood Academy

Selwood Academy - (photo by Brendan O'Gorman 2016)

Organised by the Frome and Trowbridge Chess Clubs (with many helpers), the annual Frome Congress is one of the most popular and friendly Congresses in the South-West,
regularly attracting approximately 200 entrants.

The Selwood Academy venue has comfortable playing conditions and full catering is provided by Devizes Catering.
The restaurant/café, bookstall and analysis rooms are separate from the playing areas. On-site car parking is limited, but there is free overflow parking within a short walking distance.

Use the following link for photographs from Chris Lamming

Tournament Sections

Five 5-round Swiss tournament sections with (approximately) 4-hour playing sessions (90m + 30s)
Trophies are presented to Somerset-Qualified players only

Section	Grade Limit	Entry Fee* (not including any applicable ECF fee or Junior discount)	Prizes
Open	None	£35	£350 / £200 / £150 Denys Bonner trophy
Major	Under 2000	£30	£250 / £150 / £100 Leon York trophy
Intermediate	Under 1750	£30	£250 / £150 / £100 Roy Hossell trophy
Minor	Under 1625	£30	£250 / £150 / £100 Cyril Chapman trophy
Standard	Under 1450	£30	£250 / £150 / £100 Gerry Jepps and Jean Mackereth trophies

* For late entries after 1^st May add £3

ECF Pay to Play and Game Fees

In all sections there is no charge for Gold or Platinum ECF members.
For Bronze members or non-members a £16 ECF grading fee applies (£6.50 for Juniors).

Junior Discount

There is a £5 discount for all Juniors aged 18 or under on the first day of the Congress (i.e. Friday).

Trophies and Cash Prizes

Somerset trophies are awarded to the highest placed Somerset player in each section.

Dependent on entry, there will be at least one grading prize in each section.
There is a team prize of £100 awarded to the highest scoring (genuine club) team of 4 players.

Playing Schedule

Friday	18.50 Opening 19.00 Round 1
Saturday	10.00 Round 2 15.00 Round 3
Sunday	10.00 Round 4 15.00 Round 5

Players will be defaulted if not present within 30 minutes of the start of a round.

Rate of Play

All Sections: 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move from the start each game.

Byes

A half-point bye may be requested in any one of rounds 1,2,3 or 4 (prior to the start of the round).

Bookstall

Bookstall, sets and clocks supplied by Chess & Bridge: The London Chess Centre

Refreshments

Hot meals will be provided at lunchtime (N.B. subject to change). Hot and cold drinks and snacks will be available for purchase daily.

Rating Information

The January 2026 ECF standardplay published ratings (Original) will be used to determine eligiblity for a section.
Where a player has no published rating, the organisers will endeavour to place them in the most appropriate section based on all available evidence of current playing strength.
The organisers reserve the right to transfer players to another section at their discretion.

It is a condition of entry that all entrants agree that their game results will be forwarded to the ECF for grading.