42nd Annual

St Albans Chess Congress 2026

Saturday 11th – Sunday 12th April

Entry deadline: 9pm Thursday 9th April

SCCU Championship

Glenroy Trophy + British Championship qualifying place

£4,250 in Prizes

Across all sections with rating prizes

ECF Grand Prix event

Qualifies for earning points

240 Competitors

Massive playing hall capacity

Venue

Close to M1 & M25
St Albans City and St Albans Abbey stations
Ample free parking
Bookstall by Chess & Bridge
Cafeteria open 9am–5pm (hot & cold food)

Entry Fee

£40

All sections. (GM, IM, WGM, WIM free.)

Enter Now

Schedule

Time Control

90 minutes + 10 seconds per move

Saturday

Round 1 10:00
Round 2 14:30
Round 3 18:30

Sunday

Round 4 10:00
Round 5 14:30
Congress rules

Sections & Prizes

Open

Max rating: No limit

SCCU Championship (Glenroy Trophy)

1st £350 · 2nd £180 · 3rd £100

Rating prizes (£100 each): <2300, <2200, <2100

Best Herts player: Hakansson Cup

Challengers

Max rating: 2050

1st £350 · 2nd £180 · 3rd £100

Rating prize: <1950

Best Herts player: Berry Cup

Major

Max rating: 1900

1st £350 · 2nd £180 · 3rd £100

Rating prize: <1800

Best Herts player: Davis Cup

Intermediate

Max rating: 1750

1st £350 · 2nd £180 · 3rd £100

Rating prize: <1650

Best Herts player: Congress Cup

Minor

Max rating: 1600

1st £350 · 2nd £180 · 3rd £100

Rating prizes (£100 each): <1500, <1400, <1300

Best Herts player: Lee-Johnson Cup

Eligibility determined by rating on 1st March 2026

Special Prizes

Best Junior

Under 14 on 1 Jan 2026

£100

J Glynne Jones Cup

Best Veteran

Over 65 on 1 Jan 2026

£100

More details

Ready to Enter?

Entry deadline: 9pm Thursday 9th April 2026