The Torbay Chess Congress - General Information
Entrants
There will be a maximum of 150 entrants to the 2025 C0ngress; if this number is reached, you can request to be put on a waiting list by emailing the Organiser at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Entrants will be prioritised according to the date and time that their entry is received.
Tournaments
- Open (FIDE and ECF rated)
- Major - for ratings under 1950 (ECF rated)
- Intermediate - for ratings under 1725 (ECF rated)
- Foundation - for ratings under 1500 (ECF rated).
In the Open tournament, if a player has a FIDE rating, that will be used; if the player does not have a FIDE rating but has an ECF rating, then the ECF rating will be used. In the Major, Intermediate and Foundation tournaments, if a player has an ECF rating, that will be used; if the player does not have an ECF rating but has a FIDE rating, then the FIDE rating will be used.
The October 2025 ratings will determine eligibility to play in a particular tournament. An increase in a player's rating between entering the Congress and the publication of the October ratings may necessitate a change in tournament allocation. This can be checked on the Torbay Chess Congress website. If you wish to withdraw as a result, please contact the Congress Secretary who will arrange a full refund of your entry fee. Alternatively, your rating may decrease. If you become eligible for a lower tournament, and you wish to change, you should contact the Congress Secretary before 29th October 2025.
Rate of Play
The time limit for each game will be all moves in 90 minutes, plus 30 seconds per move from move 1. Digital clocks will be used.
Playing Schedule
Friday 31st October to Sunday 2nd November 2025.
| Round 1: | Friday | 19:00 | Round 2: | Saturday | 10:00 | Round 4: | Sunday | 10:00 |
| Round 3: | Saturday | 15:00 | Round 5: | Sunday | 15:00 |
| Round 1: | Friday | 19:00 |
| Round 2: | Saturday | 10:00 |
| Round 3: | Saturday | 15:00 |
| Round 4: | Sunday | 10:00 |
| Round 5: | Sunday | 15:00 |
Admission to the Playing Area on the Friday evening will open at 6:30pm.
Default and Re-pairing Time
30 minutes after the above scheduled start times.
Byes
Except for Round 5, players may request one (and only one) ½-point bye.
Results and Pairings
Results and pairings will be posted on noticeboards during the Congress and online using Swiss Manager.
