About: Playnow! – Grand Prix Chess Challenge is a collaboration between CapitaLand and the Singapore Chess Federation to bring chess to shoppers around Singapore. There will be 4 events held in different malls up till next year, with further details to be announced at later dates.

Eligibility: Open to all – FIDE ID is required to participate

Date: 25 and 26 Oct

Format and Time Control: FIDE Rated, 15 minutes + 10 second increment from move 1

Venue: Tampines Mall, 4 Tampines Central 5, Singapore 529510

Entry Fee (amounts below are inclusive of GST):  

*We welcome all chess players with disabilities to join this event. Some examples of impairment types can be found here but please note that this list is not exhaustive.

Schedule

Eight participants from the tournament who choose to take part in a simultaneous exhibition with a renowned chess master who will be announced later. Participants will be chosen by ballot and informed via email.

**Prize Presentation may be brought forward, depending on time of completion of last game in the final round.

Certificates will be awarded to all participants of the simultaneous exhibition.

Tournament A – 18 Oct or first 96 players
Tournament B – TBA
Tournament C – TBA 2026
Tournament D – TBA 2026

Prizes for each tournament:

All denominations listed below are eCapitaVouchers which will be issued to winners via email.

Open
1st – $500 | 2nd – $300 | 3rd – $200 | 4th to 5th – $100 each | 6th to 10th – $50 each

Women
1st – $300 | 2nd – $200 | 3rd – $100 | 4th  to 5th – $70 each

Trophies
Top 5 Overall, Top 3 Ladies and Top 3 for Open U8, U10, U12 and Girls U8, U10, U12

Players are eligible to win more than 1 prize.

Prizes for GrandPrix

Points will be accumulated from each event as follows for the top 10 in each event:

If there are individuals who are tied in GP points, the following tie breaks will be used:
1) Greater number of wins across all events
2) Greater number of win with black across all events

The highest accumulation of points will allow the top 3 scorers to additionally win the following prizes. Amounts are eCapitaVouchers:

1st – $400 | 2nd – $300 | 3rd – $200
Top 3 will also receive 1 Book Prize and 1 GrandPrix Trophy

1 –  Direct Encounter
2 –  Buchholz
3 –  Buchholz Cut 1
4 –  Greater number of wins
5 –  Greater number of wins with black pieces

 Default Time: When clock runs to zero

1. Only writing material and personal medication is allowed in the playing area.

2. All other personal belongings including wallets, handphones, watches and bags are not allowed in the playing area. These items will be kept in a designated storage area, and players will only retrieve their belongings upon completion of their games. Players who have collected their belongings are NOT allowed to return to the playing area.

3. At the entrance of the playing venue, Arbiters and Fair Play Officers reserve the right to search players via metal detector or manual means.

4. Arbiters and Fair Play Officers may conduct searches at any point before, during or after the game.

5. Players are to seek Arbiter’s permission if they are to move outside of the playing area. Players may be searched by Arbiters and Fair Play Officers upon re-entry.

6. Players are to play to the best of their natural ability. Any outside assistance in person or via electronic means is strictly prohibited. Arbiters reserve the right to disqualify or declare a game loss if an individual is found to be receiving assistance.

7. All participants shall comply and co-operate with the Fair Play rules. Players may be removed from the tournament at any time on final decision of the Chief Arbiter based on Fair Play rules