The English Chess Federation has opened entries for the 2026 British Chess Championships, set to return to Coventry with a record total prize fund of £52,500. The event at the University of Warwick from August 1 to 9 will feature competitions across all age groups and expanded festival activities. This marks the 112th edition of the championship, which last visited Coventry in 2015.
The 2026 British Chess Championships will take place at the University of Warwick in Coventry from August 1 to 9, hosting more than 1,000 players from across the UK, including grandmasters and young talents. The total prize fund stands at £52,500, the largest in the event's history, with £34,000 allocated to the main competition. This includes more than double the prize money offered for the Women’s Championship compared to 2025.
The championships, the 112th in a tradition dating back to 1904 with few interruptions, will encompass tournaments for age groups from under-8s to seniors. Organizers have expanded the programme to include festival events, charity initiatives, junior training sessions, and social activities alongside the core competitions.
Coventry previously hosted in 2015, when Grandmaster Jonathan Hawkins secured his first British title and Akshaya Kalaiyalahan won the women’s championship. The city also staged the event in 1970. Last year’s championships occurred in Liverpool, where Grandmaster Michael Adams claimed his ninth national title at age 53 in a three-way playoff.
Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Coventry City Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Events, expressed enthusiasm: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome the British Chess Championships back to Coventry. Hosting such a prestigious national event highlights our city’s growing reputation for major sporting competitions.”
Alex Holowczak, Director of Events for the English Chess Federation, highlighted the event’s appeal: “The English Chess Federation is inviting anyone who wants to experience the thrill of playing in a chess tournament to the University of Warwick this summer. The Championships are the highlight of the British chess calendar and they include events for everyone.” He noted the venue’s strong chess history, having successfully hosted in 2015, and anticipated a record number of entries.
