We are delighted to announce that the 2026 East Devon Chess Congress will be taking place from Friday 20 March to Sunday 22 March 2026 at the Exeter Rougemont Hotel by Sunday, Queen Street, Exeter – and we are celebrating a milestone anniversary…
Alongside the usual tournaments and socialising, this year’s event includes some special features to mark 50 years of the East Devon Chess Congress, including…
1. Saturday night simultaneous by GM Keith Arkell [£6 add-on]
We are delighted to announce that GM Keith Arkell will be giving a fun and relaxed simultaneous display on the Saturday evening of Congress (21 March 2026). The event will be held in the main playing hall – just a short stroll from the hotel bar – and play will officially commence at 7:45pm, though players can join at any time before 8:45pm. Players may take on GM Arkell at traditional classical chess or opt for Freestyle chess (a.k.a. Chess960 / Fischer Random – see www.chess.com/terms/freestyle-chess), a lively format that emphasises creativity over memorisation. Congress entrants can take part in the simul for a subsidised price of just £6 – reserve your spot via the online entry form!
2. JackPot bullet competition vs IM Jack Rudd
Challenge renowned speed demon IM Jack Rudd to some bullet chess at selected times during the weekend – any player who manages to topple the maestro will earn a slice of the jackpot. Full details to be announced.
3. Puzzle contest [with prizes]
A special puzzle competition running throughout the weekend, open to both individuals and pairs, with prizes available for the best solutions. Be warned: your chess engine might not be much help…
4. Coaching zone
Get some guidance and feedback on your play in the coaching area of the analysis room – adventurous souls can even volunteer their game for a big-screen dissection. Further details to be announced.
Click here to view the event leaflet, and here to enter online. Places are limited, so register soon to avoid missing out!
Essential information about the Congress
The elegant Exeter Rougemont Hotel by Sunday stands on Queen Street in the heart of Exeter city centre, close to car parks and stations (Exeter Central is a 1-minute walk; Exeter Bus Station is a 12-minute walk; Exeter St Davids is a 13-minute walk). There are numerous hotels and B&Bs located within a short stroll of the venue, plus several local highlights such as Northernhay Gardens (3-minute walk), the historic cathedral (6-minute walk) and picturesque quayside (15-minute walk). A map showing the area surrounding the venue is provided at the bottom of this page.
The 2026 East Devon Chess Congress is a 5-round Swiss tournament with 3 hour 50 minute play sessions, and will follow the traditional ‘three-day’ format with one round on Friday night, two rounds on Saturday, and two rounds on Sunday. The same incremental time control as last year will be in operation: each player will receive a timebank of 105 minutes plus 10 extra seconds per move.
As usual, three separate sections are available that are suitable for different levels of play: the OPEN, the U-1900 MAJOR, and the U-1650 MINOR.
Click here to view the tournament leaflet (PDF, opens in new tab)
Click here to enter via our new online entry form (opens in new tab) – please use this fast & accurate entry method rather than posting a paper form!
Or to view the current list of entrants, select the “Entries” tab in the top menu bar (or click here)
We very much hope that those of you who have joined us at previous Congresses will be keen to play again in 2026 – and that we’ll have many new faces joining the action too!
If you have any queries regarding the Congress, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via the contact details shown on the tournament leaflet.
We very much look forward to welcoming you to Exeter in March 2026!
Dr Tim Paulden (Congress Director)
The Devonshire Suite at the Rougemont Hotel – the new home of the East Devon Chess Congress (Photo: T. Paulden, 2025)
The area around the Exeter Rougemont Hotel on Queen St (shown in pink text, slightly to the north-west of centre). Scale: Exeter Cathedral is a 6-minute walk; Exeter Corn Exchange is an 8-minute walk.
2026 East Devon Chess Congress 