SOMERSET COUNTY CHESS ASSOCIATION

Frome Chess Congress 2026

Note: Online entry is not yet available for the 2026 congress. Please check back later or contact us for entry information.

The list of 2025 section and trophy winners may be found here: 2025 Results

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

Organised by both 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.
All sections (except the Standard section) will be FIDE-rated.

Please see last year's Congress Brochure (or the print-at-home version).

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

last updated 16/10/2025

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)

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 (TBD)
Open	None	TBD	TBD Denys Bonner trophy
Major	Under 2000	TBD	TBD Leon York trophy
Intermediate	Under 1750	TBD	TBD Roy Hossell trophy
Minor	Under 1625	TBD	TBD Cyril Chapman trophy
Standard	Under 1450	TBD	TBD 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.

Conditions of Entry and Competition Rules

Subject to change. For reference please see the 2025 Conditions of Entry and Competition Rules.