This year is a hugely significant year in the history of Hammersmith Chess Club. It is our diamond jubilee – we are 60 years old. The club has had many highs and lows but we are still here – with a membership past the 150 mark you could say we are enjoying our golden era.

To celebrate this huge landmark for the club, we will be running our first ever chess congress. It will take place from the 4th and 5th June at the Mind Sports Centre. On the Friday night (The 3rd of June) we will run a blitz tournament at the Prince of Wales with prize money and open to all.

This is an early heads up and some important notes for all

We intend to call the congress “Hammratty” in deference to one of the greatest international chess festivals – Bunratty. Hammersmith has a massive connection to Ireland with the Irish Cultural Centre based here and the numerous reminders around us of its very Irish past.
Depending on sponsorship, we are in final negotiations, we hope to run an elite six-player all play all elite tournament – that will not be rated – but just for glory and prize money
We intend to run four rating tournaments -like Bunratty- Above 2000, 1600-1999, 1200-1599 and under 1200. There will be prize money available.
The time control will be 75 minutes plus 15 seconds increment per move
The entry fee will be £40
Adam Raoof will be the arbiter and tournament controller.
We intend to open the online registration and payment facility in the second half of March.
There will be a nominated charity for the event.