Blitz Tournaments
Seven evening Blitz Tournaments will take place at the 2025 XTX Markets London Chess Classic. Entrants to the Blitz Tournaments are also able to spectate on the elite event or listen to the live grandmaster commentary once their own games have finished, at no extra charge.
Below is a summary of some of the key rules of the tournament. For full details, please see the LCC Regulations.
Participants
The Blitz Tournaments are open to any player. There are some membership requirements that can be found here: LCC Regulations.
Venue
All Blitz Tournaments will take place at the Emirates Stadium.
Schedule
There will be seven Blitz Tournaments, each starting at 6pm and finishing around 9pm:
Blitz Tournament 1 - Wednesday 26th November 2025
Blitz Tournament 2 - Thursday 27th November 2025
Blitz Tournament 3 - Friday 28th November 2025
Blitz Tournament 4 - Saturday 29th November 2025
Blitz Tournament 5 - Sunday 30th November 2025
Blitz Tournament 6 - Monday 1st December 2025
Blitz Tournament 7 - Tuesday 2nd December 2025
Prize fund
TBD
Format
9-round Swiss tournament.
Time Control
3+2
Byes
No byes are permitted in this event, and players are expected to play in all 9 rounds.
Entry fee
£25. Entrants to the Super Blitz Qualifier tournaments are able to spectate on the main event of the 2025 XTX Markets London Chess Classic or listen to the live grandmaster commentary, at no extra charge.
Free entry for GMs, IMs
Free for all female players (British citizens only)
Free entry* for U25 (must be born on or after 26/11/2025) (British citizens only)
Free entry for all active CSC tutors.
Please note: to receive a free entry, players in the categories above must guarantee to play all 9 rounds. Players will be asked to pay the standard entry fee upfront and will have that refunded at the end of the tournament on completion of 9 games.
Fair play policy
Please see the London Chess Classic Festival Fair Play Policy.
Parental responsibility
Parents or guardians are responsible for their children during the tournament. The organisers and helpers are not able to act “in loco parentis” and are not able to take responsibility for any child’s actions, or for the actions of anyone that may affect your child. The Emirates Stadium does not allow children under the age of 16 to be unaccompanied. All players under the age of 16 must have a parent or guardian on-site at all times.
Liability
The organisers accept no responsibility for any loss, theft or accident during the tournament.
Right to refuse entry
The Chief Organiser reserves the right to refuse entry without being required to state a reason, and to transfer players between tournaments at any time.
