Annex Chess Club announces 2026 Fallsview International Chess Open

A new annual chess tournament is being organized by the Annex Chess Club, a member organization of the Greater Toronto Chess League.

From President Salim Belcadi:

Annex Chess Club is pleased to announce that we will be co‑hosting a major chess tournaments in partnership with Fallsview Group this November, marking an exciting milestone for competitive chess in our region.

The Fallsview International Chess Open will have a Master Section, Nov 11 to Nov 15, 9 round Swiss (90min|30s format), min 2200 FIDE rating, and Open Sections Nov 13 to Nov 15 for all ratings.

A minimum of 10GMs will participate including GM Awonder Liang from the USA and GM Shawn Rodrigue-Lemieux from Canada. Norms will be possible.

A 5min|5s qualifier event will take place on August 13th in Niagara Falls with $1,000 prize fund and a free entry into the Master Section for the winner regardless of rating.

For more information: 2026 Fallsview International Chess Open - ChessTalk / Parlons Échecs. A sample of the tournament details are copied below.

Annex Chess Club and the Niagara Falls Chess Club, in partnership with Fallsview Group, are proud to present the inaugural Fallsview International Chess Open, a new annual international tournament to be held in the heart of Niagara Falls.


WHEN

Master Section: Wednesday, November 11 to Sunday, November 15, 2026
Open Sections: Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 15, 2026


WHERE

DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton
Niagara Falls, Ontario

Discounts for accommodation at the DoubleTree and other hotels (including an affordable and a premium hotel option) will be posted soon.

FORMAT

Master Section

• Nine-round Swiss tournament
• 90 minutes + 30-second increment from move 1
• FIDE Rated, 0 point byes
• A minimum of 10 Grandmasters will be invited. Norms will be possible.
• Open to players with a published standard FIDE rating of at least 2200 at the moment of registration. The organizers may also invite a limited number of players.

Open Sections

• Five-round Swiss tournaments
• 90 minutes + 30-second increment from move 1
• Multiple rating sections
• FIDE and/or CFC Rated, depending on the section, 0.5 point byes
• Open to players of all ratings

SCHEDULE

Master Section

• Round 1: Wednesday, November 11 – 7:00 pm
• Round 2: Thursday, November 12 – 10:00 am
• Round 3: Thursday, November 12 – 4:00 pm
• Round 4: Friday, November 13 – 12:00 pm
• Round 5: Friday, November 13 – 7:00 pm
• Round 6: Saturday, November 14 – 10:00 am
• Round 7: Saturday, November 14 – 4:00 pm
• Round 8: Sunday, November 15 – 10:00 am
• Round 9: Sunday, November 15 – 4:00 pm

Open Sections

• Round 1: Friday, November 13 – 7:00 pm
• Round 2: Saturday, November 14 – 10:00 am
• Round 3: Saturday, November 14 – 4:00 pm
• Round 4: Sunday, November 15 – 10:00 am
• Round 5: Sunday, November 15 – 4:00 pm

QUALIFIER EVENTS

Three one-day satellite tournaments will be held and open to players of all ratings:

• Thursday, August 13, 2026
• Wednesday, September 16, 2026
• Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Each qualifier will feature a C$1,000 prize fund. In addition, the winner of each qualifier will receive free entry into the Master Section of the Fallsview International Chess Open, regardless of rating.

Further details and registration information for the qualifier events will be announced separately.


ENTRY FEES

Master Section

• Grandmasters: Free (eligible for conditions)
• IMs and WGMs: C$250
• Other eligible players: C$300

Open Sections

• Early Bird (through August 31): C$90
• Regular (September 1 – October 15): C$100
• Late (from October 16): C$110

Registrations online only or in person at Annex Chess Club on Monday evenings.


PRIZE FUND

Current prize fund based on 200 entries: C$7,500, including a guaranteed first prize of C$2,500 in the Master Section.

The prize fund may increase further as sponsorship and registration grow.


REGISTRATION

Master Section
https://square.link/u/AQMdA1lh (IMs and WGMs, please use the code Master for a $50 discount)

Open Sections:
https://square.link/u/GjGcl6i8