Information here is more up to date than the flyer, and has more detail regarding individual prizes.
Sun 27th, Mon 28th, Tues 29th December 2026
The ABCD Bridge Centre, Fair Green, Drogheda, Co. Louth, A92 VK16
See Google Maps | Drogheda Chess Club Website | ICU Event Page
Sponsors
TBC
Total Prize fund
€ 2500
Trophies (pictured)
Time Controls
Rapid: 20 mins + 2 sec/move
Blitz: 3 mins + 2 sec/move
Both FIDÉ rated
Round Times
The following is the expected timetables of the Rapid and Blitz.
Rapid
Sun 27th December
Official start time: 10:45am
Round 1: 11.00 am,
Round 2: 12.00pm,
Round 3: 1.00pm,
Round 4: 2.00pm,
Lunch Break 3.00-4.00pm,
Round 5: 4.00pm,
Round 6: 5.00pm,
Round 7: 6.00pm,
Round 8: 7.00pm,
Mon 28th December
Round 9: 11.00am,
Round 10: 12.00pm,
Round 11: 1.00pm,
Round 12: 2.00pm,
Lunch Break 3.00-4.00pm,
Round 13: 4.00pm,
Round 14: 5.00pm,
Round 15: 6.00pm,
Prize giving shortly after last game finishes, around 7:30pm.
Blitz
Tues 29th December
Official start time: 10:45am
Round 1:
Round 2:
Round 3:
Round 4:
Round 5:
Lunch Break
Round 6:
Round 7:
Round 8:
Round 9:
Round 10:
Lunch Break
Round 11:
Round 12:
Round 13:
Round 14:
Round 15:
Prize giving shortly after last game finishes, around 7:30pm.
Playing Sections
Rapid
Open
Blitz
Open
Live Boards
Top 20 boards transmitted live, linked from the event page.
Puzzle Rush Competition
An optional mini-game that participants can partake in after their game is finished or between rounds. The highest score within each set grading band wins a Puzzle Rush Trophy (pictured) and a DGT-3000 chess clock. This mini-game will run during the Rapid.
Entry fee
Rapid: €60, €5 reduction for Under 18s
Blitz: €30, €5 reduction for Under 18s
Both: €75, €5 reduction for Under 18s
Entries
All entries on ICU event page.
Contact
Chief Organiser: Krzysztof Nowak, [email protected], +353 89 955 2848
Chief Arbiter: Krzysztof Nowak, [email protected]
Arbiter: Frank Pentony, [email protected]
Accommodation
Hotels
Boyne Valley Hotel, 041 9837737
Scholars Townhouse, 041 9835410
B&Bs
Windsor Lodge, North Road, Drogheda 041 9841966
Aaron Vale, 85 Ashfield Green, North Rd, Drogheda 041 9839210
Roseville Lodge, Georges Street, Drogheda, 041 9834046
Reddans, Bettystown 041 9827412
Other suggestions:
Travel times for Commuters & Parking
From Dublin City Centre 46 min by car, 35 – 65 min by bus or train.
From M50 28 min by car
Parking in Drogheda is half price on Saturday and free on Sunday over Christmas. We advise those travelling by car to park in Trinity St Car Park, Mell as it is only 5 mins walk to the venue.
Drogheda Bus Station: 10 minutes walk from venue. Buses: 101, 901 from city centre.
Breakdown of Prizemoney
Final Prize fund € 2500 adjusted to entries.
Prizemoney will be shared equally between those on equal points, regardless of tie-breaks - the prizemoney from the place below being amalgamated.
Grading Prizes (GP) will be awarded for players within certain rating bands who do not win another prize. Where a player has no FIDÉ rating, a national rating will be used. Grading prizes will not be shared but decided on tie-break.
Best Woman will be awarded to the highest scoring female player who does not win another prize.
Best U18 Trophy will be awarded to the highest scoring player who does not win another prize.
Prize money will be sent electronically to prize winners who should contact Krzysztof with their IBAN and BIC or fill in the form provided. Those who do not have bank accounts should contact Krzysztof.
The following is an provisional breakdown of the prizemoney. This can change subject to entries.
Total Prizes: € 2500
Rapid: €
Main Prizes
1st: € & Trophy
2nd: € & Trophy
3rd: € & Trophy
4th: € & Trophy
5th: € & Trophy
Additional Prizes
Best Woman: € & Trophy
Grading Prize (): € & Pawn Key Chain
Grading Prize (): € & Pawn Key Chain
Grading Prize (): € & Pawn Key Chain
Grading Prize (Unrated): € & Pawn Key Chain
Youngest Participant: Chess Set
First Entrant: Pawn Key Chain
Best U18: Trophy
Puzzle Rush Prizes: DGT 3000 & Trophy (x4)
Blitz: €
Main Prizes
1st: €
2nd: €
3rd: €
Additional Prizes
Grading Prize (): € & Pawn Key Chain
Grading Prize (): € & Pawn Key Chain
Grading Prize (): € & Pawn Key Chain
Grading Prize (Unrated): € & Pawn Key Chain
Playing Conditions
Expect airy, spacious and pleasant playing conditions (see photo below) with some professional touches. Shops and restaurants are a 5 minute walk from the playing venue.
Rules
General
Overall we hope to provide a pleasant atmosphere in which to enjoy your chess. Players will be asked to contribute to this. Speak to the arbiter if in doubt.
While quiet is expected in the playing hall, players will be allowed to spectate quietly after they finish playing.
FIDÉ rules apply but we would like to explain some of them here. If you need something explained or feel your opponent may be breaking a rule please do not hesitate to stop your clock and raise your hand to call an arbiter.
Electronic devices are not permitted in the playing venue, toilets or outdoor smoking area. An exception is if they are left near the controller's desk, switched off, not on silent. Electronic devices include anything that may make a noise or vibrate including watches, alarms.
The organizers have the right to refuse any entry without giving a reason.
Byes
A player may receive one half point bye, except in the last round, provided a request is made before pairings are done. Players should ensure that a bye request was written down and may check that one has been registered on chess-results by choosing the "unpaired" link after the latest round.
A player who receives a 1 point bye due to an odd number should still turn up as they may be offered a game against a late entrant or another player whose opponent failed to show within the default time. They may refuse, but if they wish to play they should turn up as they are likely to be offered a game. These games will count and will be rated unless agreed otherwise.
Organisers
Chief Organiser: Krzysztof Nowak and the Drogheda Chess Club organising committee.
Chief Arbiter: Krzysztof Nowak
Arbiter: Frank Pentony