Fallsview Qualifier #1

[Salim Belcadi]

Annex Chess Club and the Niagara Falls Chess Club, in partnership with Fallsview Group, are pleased to present the first Fallsview International Chess Qualifier, the opening event in a three-tournament satellite series leading up to the inaugural Fallsview International Chess Open.

WHEN

Thursday, August 13, 2026

WHERE

Hyatt Niagara Falls Fallsview Hotel
Niagara Falls, Ontario

FORMAT

• Seven-round Swiss tournament
• Blitz time control: 5 minutes + 5-second increment from move 1
• CFC Rated
• Open to players of all ratings

SCHEDULE

• Round 1: 7:00 pm
• Round 2: 7:30 pm
• Round 3: 8:00 pm
• Round 4: 8:30 pm
• Round 5: 9:00 pm
• Round 6: 9:30 pm
• Round 7: 10:00 pm

ENTRY FEE

$45 for all players.


PRIZE FUND

Guaranteed prize fund of C$1,000.

In addition, the tournament winner will receive free entry into the Master Section of the Fallsview International Chess Open, regardless of rating.


QUALIFIER SERIES

This is the first of three Fallsview International Chess Qualifiers. Additional qualifier events will be held on:

• Wednesday, September 16, 2026
• Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Each qualifier offers a C$1,000 guaranteed prize fund and one qualifying spot into the Master Section of the Fallsview International Chess Open.


REGISTRATION

https://square.link/u/58WPiGcB

A complimentary shuttle service is available for players traveling from Downtown Toronto to the tournament in Niagara Falls on Thursday, August 13.

• Departure Location: Station Street (near Union Station)
• Departure Time: Thursday, August 13 at 4:15 PM sharp
• Return Schedule: Departs Niagara Falls for Union Station immediately following the conclusion of the event
• Capacity: Limited to 24

Requirements & Registration: Shuttle access is strictly restricted to confirmed tournament participants. Due to capacity constraints, players must reserve their seat in advance.

• RSVP Deadline: Wednesday, August 12 at 12:00 PM (Noon)
• Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...publish-editor

[Salim Belcadi]

We fixed the HST issue.

[Salim Belcadi]

Update on the prize fund distribution:

1st place: $300 + Free entree into Master Section
2nd place: $200
3rd place: $150
4th place: $100
5th place: $50
Top woman: $100
Top U18: $50
Top under 1600: $50

Total $1,000

[Salim Belcadi]

A complementary free shuttle will be organized by Fallsview group from Downtown Toronto to the event venue in Niagara Falls and back right after the event. I will send more information on pickup time and location, but likely 5pm & close to Union Station.

[Salim Belcadi]

To answer a frequently asked question: if you have already registered for the Fallsview International Chess Open and go on to win the Qualifier, your Master Section or Open Section entry fee will be fully refunded.

[Aris Marghetis]

A complementary free shuttle will be organized by Fallsview group from Downtown Toronto to the event venue in Niagara Falls and back right after the event. I will send more information on pickup time and location, but likely 5pm & close to Union Station.

Wow, that's a great feature! Good on Fallsview!

[Aris Marghetis]

Hey, this is now only 10 days away ... man, this summer is flying past me lol

[Salim Belcadi]

To answer a few more question we received: the event is open to players of all ratings. GMs may play in Qualifier #1, but if a GM wins, the free Master Section entry will be awarded to the highest-finishing non-GM.

[Alex Ferreira]

Pre-Registered list:

https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1467...lan=1&SNode=S0

[Salim Belcadi]

24 players currently registered, with a planned capacity for 30. Ratings are CFC Std

GM Razvan Preotu (CAN), 2583
IM Nicholas Vettese (CAN), 2529
Vadim Razin (CAN), 2510
GM Avigdor Bykhovsky (ISR), 2462
Shon Lazarev (CAN), 2237
Daniel Abrahams (CAN), 2215
John Upper (CAN), 2092
David Lawless (CAN), 2005
Kaven Sharma (CAN), 1990
Daniel Valdez (CAN), 1944
Diyor Muminov (CAN), 1875
Anirud Chakkoli (CAN), 1817
Ruslan Kotapuri (CAN), 1759
Alphan Donmez (TUR), 1756
Salim Belcadi (CAN), 1641
Samuel Gentry (CAN), 1601
Harshil Swain (CAN), 1599
Noelle Sherwood (CAN), 1624
Aashka Kilaru (CAN), 1560
German Ierzhakov (CAN), 1543
Elijah Kotapuri (CAN), 1224
Thomas Hagar (CAN), 1162
Aanya Kilaru (CAN), 935
Parul Mohta (CAN),

[Salim Belcadi]

We reached our initial planned capacity of 30 players today. Following a meeting with the Niagara Falls Chess Club and Fallsview Group, we have agreed to expand the field to 50 players to accommodate the strong interest in the event.

Thank you to everyone who has registered. We look forward to welcoming you on August 13.

[Salim Belcadi]

A complimentary shuttle service is available for players traveling from Downtown Toronto to the tournament in Niagara Falls on Thursday, August 13.

• Departure Location: Station Street (near Union Station)
• Departure Time: Thursday, August 13 at 4:15 PM sharp
• Return Schedule: Departs Niagara Falls for Union Station immediately following the conclusion of the event
• Capacity: Limited to 24 seats

Requirements & Registration: Shuttle access is strictly restricted to confirmed tournament participants. Due to capacity constraints, players must reserve their seat in advance.

• RSVP Deadline: Wednesday, August 12 at 12:00 PM (Noon)
• Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...publish-editor