2026 Fallsview International Chess Open

[Salim Belcadi]

Annex Chess Club and the Niagara Falls Chess Club, in partnership with Fallsview Group, are proud to present the inaugural Fallsview International Chess Open, a new annual international tournament to be held in the heart of Niagara Falls.


WHEN

Master Section: Wednesday, November 11 to Sunday, November 15, 2026
Open Sections: Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 15, 2026


WHERE

DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton
Niagara Falls, Ontario

Discounts for accommodation at the DoubleTree and other hotels (including an affordable and a premium hotel option) will be posted soon.

FORMAT

Master Section

• Nine-round Swiss tournament
• 90 minutes + 30-second increment from move 1
• FIDE Rated, 0 point byes
• A minimum of 10 Grandmasters will be invited. Norms will be possible.
• Open to players with a published standard FIDE rating of at least 2200 at the moment of registration. The organizers may also invite a limited number of players.

Open Sections

• Five-round Swiss tournaments
• 90 minutes + 30-second increment from move 1
• Multiple rating sections
• FIDE and/or CFC Rated, depending on the section, 0.5 point byes
• Open to players of all ratings

SCHEDULE

Master Section

• Round 1: Wednesday, November 11 – 7:00 pm
• Round 2: Thursday, November 12 – 10:00 am
• Round 3: Thursday, November 12 – 4:00 pm
• Round 4: Friday, November 13 – 12:00 pm
• Round 5: Friday, November 13 – 7:00 pm
• Round 6: Saturday, November 14 – 10:00 am
• Round 7: Saturday, November 14 – 4:00 pm
• Round 8: Sunday, November 15 – 10:00 am
• Round 9: Sunday, November 15 – 4:00 pm

Open Sections

• Round 1: Friday, November 13 – 7:00 pm
• Round 2: Saturday, November 14 – 10:00 am
• Round 3: Saturday, November 14 – 4:00 pm
• Round 4: Sunday, November 15 – 10:00 am
• Round 5: Sunday, November 15 – 4:00 pm

QUALIFIER EVENTS

Three one-day satellite tournaments will be held and open to players of all ratings:

• Thursday, August 13, 2026
• Wednesday, September 16, 2026
• Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Each qualifier will feature a C$1,000 prize fund. In addition, the winner of each qualifier will receive free entry into the Master Section of the Fallsview International Chess Open, regardless of rating.

Further details and registration information for the qualifier events will be announced separately.


ENTRY FEES

Master Section

• Grandmasters: Free (eligible for conditions)
• IMs and WGMs: C$250
• Other eligible players: C$300

Open Sections

• Early Bird (through August 31): C$90
• Regular (September 1 – October 15): C$100
• Late (from October 16): C$110

Registrations online only or in person at Annex Chess Club on Monday evenings.


PRIZE FUND

Current prize fund based on 200 entries: C$7,500, including a guaranteed first prize of C$2,500 in the Master Section.

The prize fund may increase further as sponsorship and registration grow.


REGISTRATION

Master Section
https://square.link/u/AQMdA1lh (IMs and WGMs, please use the code Master for a $50 discount)

Open Sections:
https://square.link/u/GjGcl6i8


CURRENT REGISTERED GRANDMASTERS:

- GM Awonder Liang (USA), 2696
- GM Loek van Wely (NED), 2640
- GM Gleb Dudin (HUN), 2577
- GM Isik Can (TUR), 2565
- GM Shawn Rodrigue-Lemieux (CAN), 2534
- GM Isan Ortiz (CUB), 2490
- GM Razvan Preotu (CAN), 2482
- GM Bator Sambuev (CAN), 2420

The list of registered Grandmasters is subject to change and will be updated as additional players confirm their participation.

[Salim Belcadi]

Please also wait before you book your accommodation. Fallsview group will provide favorable discounts in several of their properties, I will be posting them soon.

[Hans Jung]

Exciting!!

[Salim Belcadi]

We fixed the HST issue. Thanks a lot for bringing that to our attention.

[Salim Belcadi]

To clarify a question we have received, eligibility for the 2200 rating requirement is determined by a player's published FIDE Standard rating at the time of registration. CFC and Live FIDE ratings will not be considered.

Please note that FIDE updates rating lists on the 1st of each month (typically a few hours earlier in North America due to time zone differences). Players who are actively competing this summer and are close to the 2200 threshold should keep this in mind when planning their tournament schedule and registration timing. Next FIDE update will drop tomorrow evening.

[Salim Belcadi]

PREFERENTIAL HOTEL RATES FOR FALLSVIEW INTERNATIONAL CHESS OPEN PARTICIPANTS

We are pleased to offer exclusive hotel rates for all registered participants in the Fallsview International Chess Open and their accompanying guest.

Whether you prefer the convenience of staying on-site at the official tournament hotel, are looking for an affordable option, or would like to enjoy a premium or luxury experience, Fallsview Group has generously offered exclusive rates for our participants and their accompanying guests across its family of hotels, all located within minutes of the playing venue.

All room blocks are subject to availability and can be booked until October 11, 2026. Room allocations are limited to 20 rooms per night at the DoubleTree, Wyndham Grand and Hyatt, and 10 rooms per night at the Wyndham Garden and Ramada.

Given the strong interest in the Fallsview International Chess Open, we encourage players to book their accommodation early to secure their preferred hotel.


1. OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT HOTEL – DoubleTree by Hilton Niagara Falls

Stay where the tournament takes place and enjoy the convenience of being just steps away from the playing hall.

Special Rates

• Wednesday, November 11: C$119
• Thursday, November 12: C$119
• Friday, November 13: C$199
• Saturday, November 14: C$239

Room Details

• 2 Queen Beds – City View
• Single/Double Occupancy
• 20 rooms available per night

Additional Information

• Triple/Quad occupancy (18+): +C$20 per person, per night
• Self-parking: C$25 per vehicle, per night
• Taxes: 13% HST + 5% DMC + 4% MAT

Book Online
First Annual Niagara Falls Chess Championships


2. AFFORDABLE OPTIONS

A. Ramada Near the Falls (Best Value)

Special Rates

• Wednesday: C$79.95
• Thursday: C$79.95
• Friday: C$99.95
• Saturday: C$169.95

Room Details

• 2 Queen Beds – City View
• 10 rooms available per night

Additional Information

• Self-parking: C$22 per vehicle, per night
• Taxes & Fees: 13% HST + 4.5% DMC + 4% MAT + C$4.99 Facility Fee

Reservations
Toll free 1-888-442-6095 (daily, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.)
Please ask for the "1st Annual Niagara Falls Chess Open" group block.

B. Wyndham Garden Niagara Falls

Special Rates

• Wednesday: C$89.95
• Thursday: C$89.95
• Friday: C$109.95
• Saturday: C$179.95

Room Details

• 2 Queen Beds – City View
• 10 rooms available per night

Additional Information

• Self-parking: C$22 per vehicle, per night
• Taxes & Fees: 13% HST + 5% DMC + 4% MAT + C$4.99 Facility Fee

Reservations
Toll free 1-800-263-2565 (daily, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.)
Please request the "Niagara Falls 1st Annual Chess Open" room block.


3. PREMIUM OPTION – Wyndham Grand Fallsview

Enjoy upgraded accommodations just a short walk from the tournament venue.

Special Rates

• Wednesday: C$119
• Thursday: C$119
• Friday: C$149
• Saturday: C$199

Room Details

• 2 Queen Beds – City View
• Single/Double Occupancy
• 20 rooms available per night

Additional Information

• Triple/Quad occupancy (18+): +C$15 per person, per night
• Self-parking: C$25 per vehicle, per night
• Taxes: 13% HST + 11.5% DMC + 4% MAT

Reservations

Book Online
Wyndham Grand Fallsview Hotel Rooms & Rates

1-800-363-3255 (daily, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.)
Please request the Annual Niagara Falls Chess Open room block.


4. EXCLUSIVE OPTION – Hyatt Regency Niagara Falls

For players looking for a luxury stay with spectacular views of Niagara Falls.

City View

• Wednesday/Thursday: C$149
• Friday: C$179
• Saturday: C$229

Canadian Fallsview (2 Queen Beds)

• Wednesday/Thursday: C$179
• Friday: C$209
• Saturday: C$269

Canadian & U.S. Fallsview (2 King Beds)

• Wednesday/Thursday: C$219
• Friday: C$269
• Saturday: C$329

Additional Information

• Single/Double Occupancy
• 20 rooms available per night (across all room categories)
• Triple/Quad occupancy (18+): +C$25 per person, per night
• Off-site self-parking: C$35 per vehicle, per night
• Taxes: 13% HST + 12% DMC + 4% MAT

Reservations

1-800-420-6980
Please request the Annual Niagara Falls Chess Open room block
Book Online
https://www.hyatt.com/events/en-US/g...g/CA101/G-ANCO

We would like to thank Fallsview Group for making these exclusive rates available to our participants and their accompanying guests.