Christmas X Para National Rapid Championships 2025

The Singapore Chess Federation is delighted to present the inaugural Christmas Para National Rapid Chess Championships — a special event celebrating the spirit of Christmas, giving, and inclusivity.

Chess is a truly inclusive sport, where people with disabilities can compete alongside able-bodied athletes on an equal setting. As such, this tournament is open to all participants and additionally, we wish to encourage all people with disabilities to participate in this milestone tournament, designed to provide a welcoming platform for competitive play, community building, and the joy of chess.

Participation in this event is free for all people with disabilities.

All players will compete in a 9-round Swiss tournament at Rapid time control (25 minutes + 10 seconds increment per move).

There are many prizes up for grabs, and most notably, the highest-placed para-athlete who is a Singaporean citizen or Permanent Resident will be crowned our first National Para Rapid Chess Champion.

Registration is now open. Click here to sign up.

Dress Code
Casual with covered shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are strictly forbidden.

Chief Arbiter and/or Tournament Director reserves the right to remove individuals who flout this rule until dress code has been rectified.

Venue: Singapore Chess Federation – 51 Bishan Street 13, Singapore 579799 #02-01A

Schedule:

*Prize Presentation may be brought forward depending on completion of last round

Format and Time Control:
9 Rounds Swiss System, Rapid 25mins and 10 seconds increment from move 1.

Default time – 15 mins. Player will be defaulted if he/she is absent and that player has 10 mins remaining on the clock.

Tie Break:

1.  Direct encounter
2. Buchholz Cut 1
3. Buchholz
4. Sonnenborn Berger
5. Cumulative system – Sum of Progressive Scores (Sum of Progressive Scores: After each round a player has a certain tournament score. These scores are added to determine the total Sum of Progressive Score)

Category:
OPEN – Rapid FIDE Rated, Open to all
FIDE ID is compulsory for all players. Participants with ineligible FIDE ID will not be allowed to participate in this event.

Prizes:
Players can win more than 1 prize. No sharing of cash prizes in the event of tie.

OPEN
1st – $800 | 2nd – $700 | 3rd – $600 | 4th – $500 | 5th – $400 | 6th – $300 | 7th – $200 | 8th to 10th – $100

WOMEN
1st – $300 | 2nd – $200 | 3rd – $100 | 4th to 5th – $50 each

PARA-ATHLETE (Prizes may be adjusted depending on the number of participants)
1st – $500 | 2nd – $300 | 3rd – $200 | 4th – $100 | 5th to 6th – $80

Trophies will be awarded for all players with disabilities. The highest-performing para- athlete who is a Singaporean citizen or Permanent Resident will be crowned the Para National Rapid Champion.

YOUTH
Under 8, Under 10, Under 12 (Combining girls and boys) – Top 5 of each category will receive trophies.

Entry fees:
Ratings are based on STANDARD or RAPID ratings, whichever is higher. BLITZ Ratings DO NOT count below.

*This applies for Chess courses from Beginner to Developmental or under National Training Programmes

Registration Link:  Click here to sign up

Closing Deadline: 20 December 6pm or first 120 entries. Late entries and entries without payment will not be accepted. Entry fees are strictly non-refundable. Organiser reserves the right to reject any entries without any assigning reasons.

Disputes:
In the event of any disputes, the Chief Arbiter’s decision is final and no further correspondence shall be entertained after the tournament.