National Championships Qualifiers

The National Qualifiers is an annual event that offers players the opportunity to earn a spot in the prestigious National Championships (NC), scheduled to take place in 2026 (tentative schedule and details provided below).

The competition will be held across three blocks, as outlined in the schedule timetable. The top 15% of participants in each block, for both male and female categories, will qualify for the National Championships.

Eligibility: Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents or Individuals playing under SGP Federation as per their FIDE ID. 

Dates:

Qualifier A: 30 Oct to 3 Nov (Deadline: 23 Oct, 6pm)
Qualifier B: 13 Nov to 17 Nov (Deadline 6 Nov, 6pm)
Qualifier C: 15 Dec to 19 Dec (Deadline: 8 Dec, 6pm)

Format and Time Control:
5 Rounds Swiss FIDE Rated, 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move 1

The final ranking is determined by the number of points scored.

In the case of a tie, the following order of tie-breaks shall be used:

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

Default Time: Players must arrive and make their first move within 30 mins. Absence after 30 mins will be declared a default loss.

Venue: SCF, 51 Bishan Street 13, #02-01A SIGC (Bishan CC), Singapore 579799

Eligibility: A minimum standard rating of 1600 is required for participation in both the Women’s and Open sections. The Singapore Chess Federation reserves the right to accept entries that do not meet the rating requirements, as well as to reject any entries without providing a reason.

Entry Fee: $160 ($174.4 including GST) for all eligible players. Entry fees paid are not refundable.

Schedule:

NC Qualifier A Dates	Event	Timing		NC Qualifier B Dates	Event	Timing
30 Oct, Thu	Round 1	7pm		13 Nov, Thu	Round 1	7pm
31 Oct, Fri	Round 2	7pm		14 Nov, Fri	Round 2	7pm
1 Nov, Sat	Round 3	7pm		15 Nov, Sat	Round 3	7pm
2 Nov, Sun	Round 4	7pm		16 Nov, Sun	Round 4	7pm
3 Nov, Mon	Round 5	7pm		17 Nov, Mon	Round 5	7pm
NC Qualifier C Dates	Event	Timing
15 Dec, Mon	Round 1	7pm
16 Dec, Tue	Round 2	7pm
17 Dec, Wed	Round 3	7pm
18 Dec, Thu	Round 4	7pm
19 Dec, Fri	Round 5	7pm

Both male and female players will compete in the same pool of each qualifier. The top 15% Male and Female placings (rounded up if there is decimal point) will advance to the Finals. If there is only one female player, that player must score 2.5 points to advance. Eligible Finalists will be announced on Chess Results after each Qualifier.*

Fair Play

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 Championship at any time on final decision of the Chief Arbiter based on Fair Play rules.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS DETAILS

National Championships dates in 2026 are tentatively set below:

Dates (2026)	Event	Time	Venue
28 January, Wednesday	Technical Briefing	7pm	SCF Conference room
3 February, Tuesday	Round 1	7pm	ACM River Room
5 February, Wednesday	Round 2	7pm	ACM River Room
7 February, Saturday	Round 3 Round 4	9am 3pm	ACM River Room
8 February, Sunday	Round 5	3pm	ACM River Room
10 February, Tuesday	Round 6	7pm	ACM River Room
12 February, Thursday	Round 7	7pm	ACM River Room
13 February, Friday	Round 8	7pm	ACM River Room
14 February, Saturday	Round 9	3pm	ACM River Room

DIRECT SEEDING

For Open category, players with Standard Fide rating of 2100 and above will be eligible for direct seeding into National Championships.

For Women category, players with Standard Fide rating of 1800 and above will automatically be seeded directly into National Championships.

Entry Fees:

$160 ($174.4 including GST) for individuals who meet the direct seeding requirement.
Individuals who qualify via the qualifiers will not need to make payment.