Rapid Encore Tournament

September 19th, 2026

Engineering (SJ Carew) Building Cafeteria, MUN. St. John's
40 Arctic Avenue, St. John's


Following the success of the 2026 NL Rapid Championship (won by JD Farrell and Brandon Welsh), a similarly structured one-day event will take place on Saturday, September 19, at the MUN Engineering Cafeteria.

Venue & Schedule

  • Location: MUN Engineering Cafeteria (Main floor, S.J. Carew Building) — Note: Not in the Engineering Lounge

  • Date: Saturday, September 19

  • Check-in: 10:00 AM

  • Round 1: 10:30 AM

  • Break: 30-minute break between Round 3 and Round 4

Tournament Format & Sections

  • Format: 6-Round Swiss, Unrated. (If total attendance is 16 players or fewer, the format will switch to two Round-Robin sections).

  • Time Control: 10 minutes + 5-second increment per move (10+5)

  • Sections:

    • Crown Section: Estimated 1600+

    • Challengers Section: Estimated Under-1600

    • Note: Players will be divided in to approximately equal numbers in both sections. Participants near the rating threshold may be asked to switch sections to balance the groups, though every effort will be made to honor player preferences.

Entry Fees & Registration

  • Advance Registration: $15

  • At the Door: $20

  • Pre-Registration Link: Please complete mandatory Registration Form .
    Registration is not complete until payment is received. 

  • Please send payment via EMT to nlchessca@gmail.com

Prizes

  • Distribution: 80% returned in prizes / 20% to the NLCA (equipment, clocks, venue costs, supplies)

  • Crown Section (40% total): 1st Place (20%) | Top Junior (10%) | Best Performance (10%)

  • Challengers Section (40% total): 1st Place (20%) | Top Junior (10%) | Best Performance (10%)

    (Note: a player may not win two prizes. In the case of top junior winning 1st, Top junior prize will go to the next highest place junior.)

Key Rules & Regulations

  1. Touch-Clock: A move is not complete until the clock is pressed. The touch-move rule will not be enforced.

  2. One-Handed Play: Moves and clock presses must be made using the same hand.

  3. Illegal Moves: An illegal move does not carry a formal time penalty. If an illegal move occurs, instruct your opponent to reset the piece. If you suspect intentional cheating or repeated infractions, pause the clock immediately and raise your hand for the arbiter.

Questions & Inquiries

  • Tournament Director: Steve Martin

  • Contact: stevew83@gmail.com