Basingstoke Rapidplay Congress 2026

[John Upham]

For the second time (apart from Hampshire Megafinals) since the days of Dick Boxall and Joe French there is a brand new one-day rapidplay congress in Basingstoke.

This will take place at the splendid venue of

Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT), Worting Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 8TN
https://what3words.com/going.hiding.moves

on Saturday, April 25th from 9.30am until 5pm

The Open and the U18 event will be ECF rated over six rounds using a R20' + 5" time control

The unrated U18 event will feature seven rounds using a R20' + 0" time control.

You may enter via

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/basingst ... 7668252982

Entries may be inspected via

https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1364612 ... S&SNode=S0

13 entries as at 25th March 2026

[Roger de Coverly]

The Open and the U18 event will be ECF rated over six rounds using a R20' + 5" time control

The unrated U18 event will feature seven rounds using a R20' + 0" time control.

Unless you harmonise the round times or have seperate rooms, running a seven round tournament alongside a six round tournament isn't a good idea. Also you will need some form of "unable to win" rules if playing without increment.

[John Upham]

The Open and the U18 event will be ECF rated over six rounds using a R20' + 5" time control

The unrated U18 event will feature seven rounds using a R20' + 0" time control.

Unless you harmonise the round times or have seperate rooms, running a seven round tournament alongside a six round tournament isn't a good idea. Also you will need some form of "unable to win" rules if playing without increment.

Believe it not we had dealt with these scenarios in 2025. Thanks for pointing them out however.

The organising committee are all most grateful for your advice and wisdom.

[John Upham]

For the avoidance of doubt, the unrated sections are run in a quite separate playing area well away and out of ear shot of the rated sections.

I will run the rated sections with a qualified assistant and members of the Basingstoke Chess Club will run the unrated sections.

I advised in the early planning stages that the rated and unrated sections should not be played in the same playing room / area.

[John Upham]

We have 29 players in the rated sections with 12 days to go.


https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1364612 ... S&SNode=S0

[John Upham]

Last call for entries. Entries close at 9pm on Friday, April 24th.

We now have 40 entries in the two rated sections:


https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1364612 ... S&SNode=S0

[John Upham]

64 entries including the two unrated sections.

[John Upham]

80+ entries

https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vani ... 3468677195

and full air-conditioning

Basingstoke Congress 2026

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