♟️ Western Juniors Rapid Championship 2026

Date: Saturday, 2 May 2026
Venue: Hobsons Bay Chess Club
108 Queen Street, Altona
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/yT8Qbgu9ZGP1KjcW9

Early Bird Deadline: 10 April 2026
Rating: FIDE Rapid & ACF Quick Rated

1. Entry Fees

Early Bird (by 10 April 2026):

• HBCC Members: $50

• HBCC Titled Members (CM/WCM/ FM/ WFM/ IM/ WIM/ GM/ WGM): Free if entry received before 10th April

• Non-Members: $60

• Late Entry (after 10 April 2026):

• Members & Non-Members: $70

2. Tournament Format

• 9-Round Swiss System

• One combined playing pool

• Age categories apply for prizes only

3. Byes

• Players may request up to one (1) half-point bye

• No half-point byes permitted in the final two rounds (Rounds 8–9)

• Bye requests must be submitted to the Chief Arbiter at
  📧 hobsonbaychessclub@gmail.com
  before pairings are generated for the next round

4. Entry Eligibility & Age Divisions (for prizes only)

Eligibility

• Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident, OR

• Holder of a valid FIDE ID registered with their home country federation

• Non-citizens or non-PR holders must register a FIDE ID with their home federation
  (No exceptions)

Age Eligibility

• Maximum junior age: Under 18

Age Categories

• U8: Born 2018 or later

• U10: Born 2016 or later

• U12: Born 2014 or later

• U14: Born 2012 or later

• U16: Born 2010 or later

• U18: Born 2008 or later

5. Prizes

Cash Prizes (regardless of age group)

• 1st Open: $500

• 2nd Open: $250

• 3rd Open: $100

• Guaranteed Best Girl: $300

  • Best Girl prize is stackable

  • (e.g. 3rd Open + Best Girl)

Additional Prizes

• 30+ trophies & medals across age categories
  (subject to number of entries)

6. Ratings & Eligibility

• Tournament is FIDE Rapid Rated and ACF Quick Rated

• A valid FIDE ID is required for FIDE rating submission

• Non-citizen or non-PR players without a FIDE ID must apply through their national federation before the event

• Players without a valid FIDE ID may be excluded from FIDE rating submission

7. Indicative Schedule

Time Control: 12 minutes + 3 seconds increment (12+3)

Time	Event
8:30 AM	Arrival & Registration
9:00 AM	Round 1
9:40 AM	Round 2
10:20 AM	Round 3
11:00 AM	Round 4
11:40 AM	Round 5
12:20 PM	Lunch Break
1:00 PM	Round 6
1:40 PM	Round 7
2:20 PM	Round 8
3:00 PM	Round 9
ASAP after Round 9	Prize Giving

Schedule may be adjusted slightly at the arbiter’s discretion.

8. Withdrawals

• Withdrawals notified to the organiser at
  📧 hobsonbaychessclub@gmail.com
  at least 72 hours before the event will be eligible for a full refund

• No refunds will be issued for withdrawals received after this deadline

 

Tournament Rules can be found here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13lTerNO3w6YsJq_4toZiucGdqqls-jUc/view?usp=sharing