2026 MCC Winter Festival of Chess
Winter Rapid:
Winter Blitz:
Winter Classic:
Wednesday 1st July 2026
Thursday 2nd July 2026
Tuesday 7th July to Thursday 9th July 2026
All tournaments are ACF & FIDE rated.
Venue:
Organiser:
Contact:
Chief Arbiter:
Deputy Chief Arbiter:
General Enquiries:
Melbourne Chess Club - 66 Leicester Street Fitzroy
IA Walter Wolffs
IA Walter Wolffs
TBC
Entry Fees
MCC Members | With Early Bird
| |
Classic | $75 | $65 |
Rapid | $35 | $30 |
Blitz | $25 | $20 |
All Events | $120 | $110 |
Non-Members | With Early Bird
| |
Classic | $80 | $70 |
Rapid | $40 | $35 |
Blitz | $30 | $25 |
All Events | $135 | $125 |
Free entry for GMs, WGMs, IMs, and WIMs. Discounted entry for FMs and WFMs. Contact FA Walter Wolffs to redeem.
Trophies and Cash Prizes*
$2,500 estimated** prize pool across all events
- First Place
- Second Place
- Third Place
- Rating Group A
- Rating Group B
- Unrated
*First Rating Group C will be added for 50+ players
**Total prize pool is not guaranteed and will adjust proportionally to the number of players that enter
Tournament Details
MCC Winter Rapid
01/07/2026
Wednesday
9 rounds
12 minutes + 3 seconds per move
Up to 2x half point byes may be taken for rounds 1-7
9:30am - Check In
10:00am - Start
4:30pm (approx.) - Presentations
Registrations close on Tuesday 30th June at 11:59pm
MCC Winter Blitz
02/07/2026
Thursday
13 rounds
3 minutes + 2 seconds per move
Up to 2x half point byes may be taken for rounds 1-9
1:00pm - Check In
2:00pm - Start
6:00pm (approx.) - Presentations
Registrations close on Wednesday 1st July at 11:59pm
MCC Winter Classic
07-09/07/2026
7 rounds
60 minutes + 30 seconds per move
Up to 2x half point byes may be taken for rounds 1-5
Forfeiture time is 30 minutes from when the clocks are started
Registrations close on Monday 6th July at 6:00pm. Round 1 pairings will be posted shortly after.
If you require a round 1 bye, the Chief Arbiter must be notified by close of registrations.
The Chief Arbiter reserves the right to repair players in the first round if required.
07/07/2026
Tuesday
9:30am - Sign in
10:00am - Round 1
2:30pm - Round 2
7:00pm - Round 3
08/07/2026
Wednesday
10:00am - Round 4
2:30pm - Round 5
09/07/2026
Thursday
10:00am - Round 6
2:30pm - Round 7
Presentations upon completion of the final round
