2026 Maritime Chess Festival

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  • 2026 Maritime Chess Festival

    Hi everyone,

    I wanted to share what I hope is good news for everyone, as we will be returning to CUP for the 2026 edition of the MCF, despite now having to pay for the facility.

    We have been able to bridge most of the funding gap with sponsorships from Sprypoint (Maritime Junior Sponsor) and Cavendish Farms (Maritime Blitz Sponsor). We also have received a doubling in our hotel room rebate from Microtel Inn and Suites from $5 to $10 per room night.


    Entry fees are still set at the 2025 MCF rates for now, as we continue to wait on potential municipal and provincial funding decisions.

    We’re also pleased to welcome several new Community Sponsors: Maritime Electric, Murphy’s Pharmacies, and the Summerside Shipyard Restaurant. Their support helps us keep the festival growing each year.

    We have now posted the booking code for our Official Accommodation Partner, the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Summerside. Any room nights booked using this code — either through the online link or by phone — generate a $10 rebate back to the Festival.

    Our current Festival Poster is ready for printing and posting anywhere chess players might see it:
    https://mcc.devastation.ca/MCF26.png


    While we’re still about seven months out, early registrations really help us promote the event and demonstrate interest to sponsors and partners. The early bird payment deadline is Aug 23.

    IM Mark Plotkin, who was the top finisher at the 2025 Maritime Chess Festival not named Hikaru Nakamura, has already registered for 2026. Mark is also hoping to bring a few friends from Toronto along with him, which is great to see so early in the planning cycle.

    Full festival details and links to individual events can be found here:
    https://mcc.devastation.ca/mcf26.html


    Fred


  • #2
    Hi everyone,

    We’re pleased to share some exciting developments as preparations continue for the 2026 Maritime Chess Festival (October 9–12, Summerside, PEI).

    Major funding confirmed

    We’ve just received confirmation of a significant grant from the City of Summerside (Sports, Entertainment & Tourism Summerside). This support allows us to actively begin securing additional Master-level players to join IM Mark Plotkin in this year’s field.

    Strong Maritime representation

    We’re also very pleased to confirm that FM Calix Marchand will be competing this year. Calix is currently one of the top-performing players in the Maritimes and will be leading a strong group of Maritime players at the Canadian Closed this week.

    Several of these players are Maritime Chess Festival veterans and will also be acting as festival ambassadors while in Montreal—helping to promote the event and attract additional titled players.

    Entry fees finalized

    Entry fees have now been set for 2026:
    • The Open section will see a modest $5 increase
    • All other events remain at 2025 rates

    Accommodation partnership

    Our partnership with the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Summerside continues for 2026. Rooms booked using our festival code (online or by phone) generate a $10 per night rebate back to the festival—so your stay directly supports the event.

    Early registration

    While we’re still several months out, early registrations play an important role in building momentum and helping us secure additional players and sponsorship support.

    The early bird payment deadline is August 23.

    Help us spread the word

    Our current festival poster is ready for sharing and posting anywhere chess players might see it:
    https://mcc.devastation.ca/MCF26.png

    Full festival details and registration links are available here:
    https://mcc.devastation.ca/mcf26.html

    We’re looking forward to building another strong field this year and hope to see many of you in Summerside this October.

    Fred

    Comment


    • #3
      We’re pleased to share a major update as preparations continue for the 2026 Maritime Chess Festival (October 9–12, Summerside, PEI).
      Canadian Champions Headlining the Festival


      We’re excited to announce that GM Shawn Rodrigue-Lemieux and WGM Maili-Jade Ouellet will be competing this year.

      Both Montreal natives are the reigning Canadian champions, having just won the Canadian Closed Chess Championship and Canadian Women's Closed Chess Championship over the Easter weekend.

      They are both currently studying at universities in Texas and will be travelling from there to participate in the festival.
      Additional Titled Strength


      We’re also very pleased to welcome back FM Adam Dorrance (Halifax), who recently earned an IM norm in a tournament in Spain and continues to position himself as the region’s top player..
      Funding & Sponsorship Update


      We’ve received additional community support over the past month, and we’re pleased to confirm that:
      • SpryPoint will sponsor the Maritime Junior Championship
      • Cavendish Farms will sponsor the Maritime Blitz Championship

      These partnerships play an important role in strengthening the overall event. These are just a representation of the event sponsors, all of whom are featured on the event web page.
      Accommodation Update


      Our partnership with Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Summerside continues for 2026.

      There is currently a technical issue with the online booking link; however, the festival rate remains fully available by calling the hotel directly and referencing the Maritime Chess Festival.

      As a reminder, bookings using the festival rate generate a $10 per night rebate back to the event, helping support the festival.
      Early Registration


      Early registrations continue to be important in building momentum and supporting ongoing player recruitment.

      Early bird payment deadline: August 23
      Help Us Spread the Word


      Our current festival poster is available here:
      https://mcc.devastation.ca/MCF26.png

      Full festival details and registration links:
      https://mcc.devastation.ca/mcf26.html

      We’re looking forward to building a very strong field this year and hope to see many of you in Summerside this October.

      Fred
      (05-01)

      Comment


      • #4
        Here's my latest update


        Hi everyone,

        Preparations continue for the 2026 Maritime Chess Festival (October 9–12, Summerside, PEI), and we’re pleased to share several updates.


        Tourism PEI Support Confirmed

        We are very pleased to announce that Tourism PEI has confirmed support for the 2026 Maritime Chess Festival.

        This support helps strengthen the Festival's position as one of Atlantic Canada's premier chess events and may allow us to pursue an additional titled player from outside the Maritimes. Discussions are ongoing, and we hope to have further news on that front in the coming months.


        Canadian Champions Headlining the Festival

        As announced previously, this year's Festival will feature:

        • GM Shawn Rodrigue-Lemieux – reigning Canadian Champion

        • WGM Maili-Jade Ouellet – reigning Canadian Women's Champion

        Both Montreal natives captured their respective national titles at the Canadian Closed Championships over the Easter weekend and are currently studying at universities in Texas.


        Additional Titled Strength

        We are also pleased to welcome back FM Adam Dorrance (Halifax), who recently earned an IM norm in Spain and continues to establish himself among the strongest players in Atlantic Canada.


        Festival Sponsors

        We are grateful for the growing support being received from sponsors and community partners, including:

        • City of Summerside
        • Tourism PEI
        • SpryPoint – Maritime Junior Championship Sponsor
        • Cavendish Farms – Maritime Blitz Championship Sponsor
        • PEI Mutual Insurance
        • Maritime Electric
        • Curran & Briggs

        These partnerships play an important role in helping us continue to grow the Festival while attracting strong players to the region.


        Accommodation Update

        Our partnership with Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Summerside continues for 2026.

        The Festival rate remains available by calling the hotel directly and referencing the Maritime Chess Festival.

        As a reminder, bookings made under the Festival rate generate a $10 per night rebate back to the event, helping support the Festival.


        Early Registration

        Early registrations remain important as we continue player recruitment and event planning.

        Early Bird Payment Deadline: August 23


        Help Us Spread the Word

        Festival Poster:
        https://mcc.devastation.ca/MCF26.png

        Festival Information and Registration:
        https://mcc.devastation.ca/mcf26.html

        With two Canadian champions already confirmed and the possibility of additional titled-player announcements still to come, we are looking forward to another outstanding Thanksgiving weekend of chess in Summerside.

        We hope to see many of you there.


        Fred McKim
        Tournament Organizer
        Maritime Chess Festival
        (06-01)

        Comment


        • #5
          Some exciting news as we're able to offer the $500 Winner Take all Prize again this year. This special donation will go the the winning player in addition to their regular 1st place prize. If there is a tie for 1st a tie-break game will be played for the $500 !!

          Comment

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