UNSW is inviting all chess players to a FIDE and ACF rated weekender competition for all levels from beginner to master!
2026 UNSW Open Weekender 20-22nd March registrations are open!
60 competitor limit
Register here: https://www.trybooking.com/DJZQM
Entries close at 6pm on March 19th 2025
Registered players list: https://www.vegaresults.com/vega/index.php?id=7466
Venue:
Bioscience G07, UNSW Sydney, Kensington 2033
Accessible by public transport - a short walk from UNSW High St or UNSW Anzac Parade Light Rail station.
Format:
7 rounds swiss, no accelerated rounds
60 min + 30 sec per move
Players may request one half-point bye during rounds 1-5 by emailing chessclubunsw@gmail.com before 6pm 19th of March
Schedule:
Opening: Friday 20th March, 6:30pm
Round 1: Friday 20th March, 7:00pm
Round 2: Saturday 21st March, 11:00am
Round 3: Saturday 21st March, 2:30pm
Round 4: Saturday 21st March, 6:00pm
Round 5: Sunday 22nd March, 10:00am
Round 6: Sunday 22nd March, 1:30pm
Round 7: Sunday 22nd March, 5:00pm
Entry fees:
$80 General entry
$40 Arc Members
(Arc members must be a member of UNSW Chess Club on Rubric.
You may be asked to present your UNSW student ID at the event)
Free entry for GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs!
Secure your spot here: https://www.trybooking.com/DJZQM
Overseas entrants must have a FIDE ID number OR must obtain one from their home country federation before entering.
Entries close at 6pm on Thursday 19th March.
Prizes:
(Subject to an increase if capacity is reached!)
1st place: $800
2nd place: $600
3rd place: $400
4th place: $200
U1800 acf: $100
U1600 acf: $100
Unrated: $100 (conditional on 5 eligible players)
Best female: $100 (conditional on 5 eligible players)
Best UNSW student: $100 (conditional on 5 eligible players)
Best junior: $100 (conditional on 5 eligible players)
Players are only eligible for one prize. Prizes will be split in case of a tie.
Chief Arbiter:
NA Edward Rust
For all enquiries please contact chessclubunsw@gmail.com
Tournament Rules and Conditions
All games played are under the FIDE Laws of Chess.
The forfeit time is 30 minutes from the start of the round. Extensions may be granted if communicated to the organizer before the forfeit time expires, such as due to transportation disruption.
Players are entitled to one half-point bye in rounds 1-5, subsequent byes will be 0 points. Any byes must be communicated to the arbiter or via email (chessclubunsw@gmail.com) before the start of the previous round, and round 1 byes must be communicated before the release of pairings (Thursday 19th March, 6pm).
All phones, smart watches and other electronic devices in the playing area must be switched off. No phones may be taken out of the playing area without the permission. Having a phone go off during a round will result in an immediate forfeit.
Photography is authorised within the first 10 minutes of the start of a round. Afterwards, only photographers authorised by the organiser are allowed in the playing area. Please email us or speak to us in person if you would like to opt out of having your photo taken.
Players who finish their games become spectators. Spectators are not to disturb the players in the playing area.
Refunds may be provided at the discretion of the organizer, given the registration period has not closed.
Players are only eligible for one prize. Rating prizes are based on ACF ratings. Unrated prize requires being unrated in ACF and FIDE, and Junior prize requires being U18 on the start date of the tournament.
Any unclaimed prizes within 30 days of the event will be invested back into UNSW Chess Club.
Any appeals made will go to UNSW Chess Club's Grievance, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, and if required, consultation with Arc@UNSW.