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.

[Salim Belcadi]

The website with more information: https://tinyurl.com/b32e53es

[Salim Belcadi]

Reminder that the early bird ends on August 31st and that there is a limited number of preferred rates for the hotels.

[Salim Belcadi]

Early Bird ends in a week. Current list of participants in the Master Section include the following players:

GM Awonder Liang (USA), 2696
GM Gleb Dudin (HUN), 2577
GM Isik Can (TUR), 2565
GM Viktor Matviishen (UKR), 2534
GM Shawn Rodrigue-Lemieux (CAN), 2533
GM Jose Fernando Cuenca Jimenez (ESP), 2509
GM Isan Reynaldo Ortiz Suarez (CUB), 2490
GM Razvan Preotu (CAN), 2482
GM Anthony Atanasov (CAN), 2481
IM Nikolay Noritsyn (CAN), 2444
GM Bator Sambuev (CAN), 2441
IM Alice Lee (USA), 2430
IM Nicholas Vettese (CAN), 2390
IM Mark Plotkin (CAN), 2364
GM Petro Golubka (CAN), 2354
Vadim Razin (CAN), 2353
FM Koosha Jaferian (CAN), 2305
CM Savio Joseph Benher (CAN), 2210
FM Zachary Dukic (CAN), 2204

[Salim Belcadi]

24 Hours left before the end of Early Bird pricing for the Open.
So far 24 players in the Masters, and 31 in the Open with momentum picking up on both events.

[Salim Belcadi]

A quick reminder to all players planning to participate in the Fallsview International Chess Open in Niagara Falls: the entry fee for the Open Section will increase to $110 tomorrow, October 16!

With over 12 Grandmasters and 40+ FIDE-titled players already registered, the Fallsview International Chess Open will be the strongest Swiss-system chess tournament held in Canada since 2003!

Beyond this landmark chess event, our ambition is to establish the Fallsview Open as an annual fixture on the international chess calendar, with the long-term goal of becoming the Reykjavik Open of North America. This inaugural edition is an important first step toward that vision.

[Salim Belcadi]

Two weeks to go until the inaugural Fallsview International Open!

We are already approaching 70% of our planned capacity, a tremendous result for a first edition. Beyond the numbers, we are particularly excited about the strength and international diversity of the field taking shape in Niagara Falls.

The Master section is shaping up to be Canada’s strongest Swiss tournament since the 2023 Canadian Transnational, with some impressive projected rating averages:

• Top 10 GMs: above 2530
• Top third of the field: above 2500
• Top half of the field: above 2450

That is exceptional depth for an event in Canada. With sufficiently strong opposition, GM norms could be achievable with 5½–6/9, while IM norms could require as little as 4–4½/9. These are possibilities rather than fixed targets: each player’s requirements will depend on their pairings, their opponents’ ratings and titles, and how the field performs throughout the tournament.

With more than 40 Master entries and 20 players representing nine foreign federations, including more than 10 GMs and IMs, Fallsview is shaping up as a “Super Swiss.” The section is on track to meet both FIDE’s 40-player Swiss criterion for title applications and the conditions allowing the usual federation requirements for individual norms to be waived, subject to the final field and participation throughout the event. These are valuable opportunities that ambitious players often travel to Europe to find.

Our ambition is to make Fallsview an annual fixture on the international chess calendar. Events such as the Reykjavík Open, Tata Steel and Grenke show how a tournament can become a destination and a tradition. We want to build that kind of lasting appeal here, closer to home.

Developing young talent is central to that ambition. We will offer a very limited number of exceptional wildcards to rising players who are approaching the 2200 FIDE Standard threshold at a young age. The wildcard recipients will be announced on November 1st.

The Open section is also shaping up to be highly competitive. Its top third averages above 2050 CFC, its top half above 1950, and the overall field roughly 1700. Players representing foreign federations account for approximately 15% of the field, while Canadians are travelling from as far away as British Columbia to participate.

For local players in the Open section, one of the most exciting aspects is the opportunity to face opponents they have never played before. Players from different countries and chess cultures are coming to meet them here in Canada, bringing different styles and fresh challenges across the board. It is a chance to experience international competition without travelling abroad.

We are enthusiastic about our partnership with Fallsview Group and deeply grateful for their support. Together, we have the opportunity to establish a strong annual international event with a distinctive format, while creating meaningful opportunities for local talent.

Master: November 11–15
Open: November 13–15
DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa, Niagara Falls

Event information: https://tinyurl.com/FallsviewOpen

[Salim Belcadi]

Fallsview Open: Additional DoubleTree Rooms Available Until November 4

Following further requests from players, Fallsview Group has kindly opened an additional block of rooms at the tournament rate at the DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa, our playing venue.

The new block is available until November 4, subject to availability.

Book your room here

Our sincere thanks to Fallsview Group for their continued support and flexibility. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Niagara Falls!

Master: November 11–15
Open: November 13–15

[Aris Marghetis]

It's cool how the hotel seems to be stepping up, I guess the Qualifiers made an impression!