As well as the ‘Main Championships’ the following will also be taking place:
- Blitz Championships
- Variant Grand Prix
Blitz Championships
The time control in each event is 3+2 (3 minutes + 2 seconds per move).
There are three mixed age categories:
- Under 8s
- Under 12s
- Under 18s
The tournament is in two stages:
- 5 x ‘Preliminary Events’
- Final
Preliminary
The tournaments in this stage are “Arena” tournaments with a duration of 60 minutes. ‘Streaks’ and ‘Berserk Mode’ will be enabled. See the lichess Arena page for more information on how Arena tournaments work.
Players may play in as many or as few preliminary events as they choose. Their top 3 Arena scores (the number of points they score in a tournament) will be totalled together to make their FINAL SCORE.
In each age group the top 8 boys and top 8 girls will qualify for the Final. The next 8 highest players regardless of gender will also qualify (so a total of 24 players qualify)
Final
The final is an 11 round “Swiss” tournament. There will be prizes for the top 3 players (plus a top boy or girl prize if there is no boy or girl finishing in the top 3).
Dates
Preliminary 1 – Wednesday 9th June (6pm)
Preliminary 2 – Wednesday 16th June (6pm)
Preliminary 3 – Saturday 19th June (6pm)
Preliminary 4 – Wednesday 23rd June (6pm)
Preliminary 5 – Wednesday 30th June (6pm)
Final – Wednesday 14th July (6pm)
Variants Grand Prix
A chess ‘variant’ is a form of chess with different rules. Some are very similar to chess whereas some feel very different! The Variants Grand Prix covers all eight of the variants available on lichess. There is one open section for each event – but prizes are given for best Under 8, Under 12 and Under 18.
The time control in every event is 5+2 (5 minutes + 2 seconds per move). Each tournament is a 90 minute Arena tournament with ‘Streaks’ and ‘Berserk Mode’ enabled. See the lichess Arena page for more information on how Arena tournaments work.
Players are responsible for ensuring they know the rules of the variant in advance of the competition and it is recommended that players get some practise in the variant before entering the event. The official lichess variant guide is a useful starting point.
Grand Prix Leader Board
There are 8 Variant Grand Prix Events. Players may play in as many or as few events as they choose. Their top 5 Arena scores will count towards their Grand Prix Leader Board total. Prizes will be given to the top 3 players (plus a top boy or girl prize if there is no boy or girl finishing in the top 3) in each of the following sections; Under 8, Under 12 and Under 18.
Dates
“Chess 960” – Tuesday 8th June (6pm), 75 minutes
“3 Checks” – Tuesday 15th June (6pm), 45 minutes
“King of the Hill” – Sunday 20th June (6pm), 60 minutes
“Anti chess” – Tuesday 22nd June (6pm), 60 minutes
“Crazyhouse” – Tuesday 29th June (6pm), 75 minutes
“Atomic” – Tuesday 6th July (6pm), 45 minutes
“Horde” – Saturday 10th July (6pm), 90 minutes
“Racing Kings” – Sunday 11th July (6pm), 60 minutes