23rd BCC Open 2026 – Tournament Regulations

Dates

The tournament is scheduled for Saturday 11 – Sunday 19 April 2026, using a classical time control, with one game played per day.

Venue

The tournament takes place at the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, Thailand;

Tournament Regulations

  1. This is an individual tournament, open to all players with FIDE ID number. If you do not have FIDE ID, please contact your country’s FIDE Rating Officer;
  2. There are two groups of play: Masters for players with a FIDE rating over 1800, and Challenger for players rated below 2000 or unrated (ratings based on April 2026 FIDE rating list). When registering, players must indicate in which group they wish to play. Players rated below 1800 may participate in the Masters at the Organiser’s discretion, subject to higher entry fee. Unrated players are not eligible for the Masters;
  3. FIDE (International Chess Federation) Law of Chess, rules and regulations apply. Results will be sent for FIDE rating calculations and are eligible for FIDE title norms;
  4. Both groups will be played using a nine-round Swiss System. For the pairings, a Swiss Manager program will be used;
  5. Time control: 90 minutes for 40 moves + 30 min for the rest of the game.
    There is a 30-second increment per move starting from the move one;
  6. Starting time will be according to the published schedule and the clock prominently displayed in the Playing Hall. The Chief Arbiter will make an announcement five minutes before the start of the games and at the starting time;
  7. Default time is one hour. Players unable to attend any round must inform the Arbiters’ desk in writing before the end of the previous round. Failure to do so may result in not being paired for subsequent rounds;
  8. Byes: Players may elect to take a bye for one round during rounds 2–7 only, with a half point awarded. The official form must be completed and submitted to the arbiter table with the score sheets by the end of the previous round;
  9. Dress code: Officials and players should be smartly attired at all times while in the playing hall. Please note, air conditioning is usually very effective in the playing hall;
  10. Players who have completed their games are considered to be spectators. There is to be no analysis in the playing hall after the conclusion of a game. An analysis room is available; 
  11. Spectators should not disturb players in the playing area. Spectators or players who disturb the playing environment will receive only one warning. A second violation will result in expulsion from the event. 

23rd BCC Open: Schedule for Masters & Challenger

23rd BCC Open Blitz Championship

The BCC Blitz takes place over two evenings, the first is split into 8 groups round-robin with a maximum of 14 players each. The top two from each group will qualify for the finals, a 16-player round-robin match:

  • Entry fee is 500 baht (Grandmasters free);
  • Maximum 112 players;
  • Registration for BCC Blitz opens on Monday, April 13 at 14:00.

23rd BCC Open: Blitz Schedule

Prizes

The total prize fund for the tournament will be decided after all entries have been received,
and published after the start of the tournament.

  • Masters: 1st prize 100,000 baht, with additional prizes for 2-10 ranks,
    5 best players from the Thailand Chess Association;
  • Challenger: 1st prize 30,000 baht, with additional prizes for 2-5 ranks; 
  • Certificates for Best Lady and 3 Best Juniors in both categories; 
  • BCC Blitz: 1st prize 20,000 baht, with additional prizes for 2nd and 3rd places (subject to number of entries);

Please note: All prizes are in Thai baht. Under Thai law, 5% tax is deducted from prize money. Winners are entitled to only one prize in any section (the higher value).

Registration

Players can register for the BCC Masters or BCC Challenger by completing the registration form at www.BangkokChess.com. All players must have FIDE ID. Registration is fully confirmed only after players have signed in at the Registration Desk at the venue and paid their entry fees (before 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 11).

Registration for BCC Blitz is in person at the venue, from Monday, April 13 at 14:00.

Entry Fees

  • Masters: 6,000 baht (Early Bird 5,000 baht until March 15),
    Under 1800 ELO: 8,000 baht (Early Bird 7,000 baht until March 15),
    TCA members: 1,500 baht discount;
  • Challenger: 4,000 baht (Early Bird 3,000 baht until March 15),
    TCA members: 3,000 baht (Early Bird 2,500 baht until March 15).

Please note:

  • All tournament fees must be paid before the start of the first round; 
  • Payments made after March 15 are not eligible for the Early Bird rate;
  • Entry fees are non-refundable after March 15;
  • The first 350 registrants who have paid their entry fee are guaranteed participation.

Payment options

For online payments and bank transfers, please include the name and FIDE ID of the player/s on whose behalf the payment is made.

  • Online payment: all major credit cards are accepted. Online payments close March 31;
  • Bank transfer: for local payments in Thailand:
    Bangkok Chess Club Association, Kasikorn Bank account number: 126-8-31852-2;
  • Cash payment (Thai baht only) and late registrations (subject to availability) can be made at the venue up to 12:00 (noon) on the day of the start of the tournament.

Conditions for Titled Players

Entry fees are waived for Grandmasters, WGMs, IMs, WIMs and 2500+ rated players (according to the official FIDE April 2026 rating list).

Complimentary accommodation will be provided for 15 Grandmasters (room and breakfast in twin sharing with another GM for 9 nights). Complimentary room reservation will be confirmed after organiser has received online reservation and deposit transfer of 3,000 baht (~80 Euros). Deposits will be returned after checking in at the venue.

Accommodation

Players are required to budget for their own board and lodgings, as well as transportation needs. Special room rates have been negotiated at the Sheraton Hua Hin:

  • Garden Room only, Single/Double: 3,199 baht per night;
  • Garden Room including Breakfast, Single/Double: 3,499 baht per night;
  • A reservation link will be provided soon.

Rates are nett/room/night, inclusive of service charge, VAT and complimentary in-room internet.
These room rates are valid for booking by 30 March, and are subject to availability.


Arrival

In order to be paired for the first round, all players must sign in to the tournament in person at the tournament registration desk, on April 10 afternoon or April 11 before noon.

Photography

Official photographers will be on site for the duration of the tournament. Photography by spectators is allowed before the start of the first round only. Once the games have started, spectators may not bring cameras or any electronic devices into the playing hall. 

By accepting the Terms and Conditions of participation in the BCC Open, you or the parent/legal guardian confirms his/her acceptance that you, his/her child may be pictured/photographed and that such material can be used by the BCC for promotion or marketing of the BCC Open, and other events. You, the parent/legal guardian gives his/her permission to make photos/videos with you, his/her child during the BCC Open.

Copyright and all exclusive rights of all photography and videos appearing on web sites or brochures belong to the BCC, and can be used at their own discretion independently. No other reproduction may be made without prior permission. 

A photo gallery will be made available online for free use.

Arbiters

Chief Arbiter: IA Maung Maung Lwin 

In the event of dispute, the Chief Arbiter’s decision is final.

Fair Play

In the interests of Fair Play, no electronic devices may be brought into the tournament hall – including Bluetooth devices, cameras, mobile phones, smart watches and smart glasses. The Organiser will provide a deposit point outside the playing hall (at depositor’s own risk), with a fee of 20 baht.

Handheld scanners and signal scanners will be in use in the playing halls and other areas with player access. Violations will result in loss of game and possible exclusion from the tournament.

Other Information

  • Tournament results and pairings will be updated daily at www.chess-results.com
  • Approximate exchange rate: US $1 = 32.50 baht; €1 = 38 baht; £1 = 43 baht
    Rates vary, for up-to-date exchange rates, visit www.superrich1965.com