Skip to main content
← All news

Announcements are not yet available in English. The content below is shown in Japanese.

2026.03.16

北海道チェス選手権2026（第32回）の案内（改訂版 1.2）

1. Dates

Saturday, March 21 – Sunday, March 22, 2026

2. Schedule

Saturday, March 21

Time Event
8:50 Venue opens / Setup
9:00 Registration opens
9:15 Pairings announced
9:30 Round 1 starts
13:30 Round 2 starts
16:30 Round 3 starts

Sunday, March 22

Time Event
8:50 Venue opens
9:10 Round 4 starts
12:50 Round 5 starts
15:30 Award ceremony / Group photo
15:50 Cleanup
16:00 End

Format: 5-round Swiss system, digital chess clocks (Fischer time control: 40 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move).
If digital clocks are unavailable, analog clocks will be used: 40 moves in 60 minutes, followed by 20 minutes sudden death.

  • If an excessively long game disrupts the schedule, the TD will make a ruling.
  • Except for the final round, a player who declares absence in advance (before next round pairings) will receive ½ point. A forced bye is awarded 1 point.

3. Tie-breaks

  1. SwissManager Buchholz (sum of opponents’ scores)
  2. SwissManager Greater number of victories
  3. SwissManager Sonneborn-Berger
  4. Dice (lower number ranks higher)

4. Venue

“Kaderu 2.7” Room 1010
Kita 2-jo Nishi 7-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo

  • A 10-story building opposite the main entrance of Hokkaido University Botanical Garden
  • About a 15-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station

5. Registration

Please apply by email no later than Thursday, March 19, 2026.

6. Eligibility

Participants must be members of the Japan Chess Federation (registration required in advance as this is an official tournament).

Entry Fee

  • General: 3,000 yen
  • Students (elementary to graduate school): 1,500 yen
  • Please pay at the venue (exact amount preferred)

7. National Championship Qualification

(1) Number of qualifying spots

  • Top players: 1 per 6 participants (rounded down)
  • Includes players who already have qualification rights
  • No reallocation if a qualified player declines

(2) Local qualification spot

  • One additional qualification is awarded to the top local player among the above qualifiers

Eligibility for local status includes:

  1. Currently residing in Hokkaido
  2. Previously resided in Hokkaido
  3. Having relatives in Hokkaido

(3) Nationality

Qualified players must hold Japanese chess nationality.

8. Game Regulations

  1. During games, players may not use notes, obtain information, receive advice, or analyze on another board.
  2. Scoresheets may only include date, opponent name, moves, and time usage. Moves must be recorded after they are completed.
  3. Mobile phones and electronic devices are strictly prohibited in the playing area. Since there is no waiting room, devices may be brought only if powered off and stored in a bag. If a phone rings during a game, the player loses.
  4. All other matters follow FIDE rules. Illegal moves result in penalties; a second illegal move results in loss. Incorrect clock handling is also a violation.
  5. During post-game analysis, unrelated conversation should be avoided.
  6. A player arriving more than 30 minutes late forfeits the game.
  7. If a player runs out of time, the game may still be a draw depending on the opponent’s mating material. Leave the board as is until the arbiter decides.
  8. Pairings are generated by computer; if unavailable, manual pairing will be used.
  9. After the game, stop the clock, call the arbiter, sign the scoresheets, and submit the original copy.

9. Qualification for JCF National Tournament

Participants eligible for the Japan Chess Federation National Tournament will be selected as follows:

  1. From players wishing to participate, top finishers are selected according to JCF regulations based on the number of participants, minus one player
  2. From remaining players who wish to participate and qualify under the Hokkaido category, the top one player is selected

If no eligible Hokkaido player exists for step 2, no additional player will be selected.

10. Other Information

  • Please bring a digital chess clock if you have one
  • Round 1 pairings will be posted on ChessResults.com on Friday, March 20, 2026 (subject to change on the day)
  • Spectators and players who have finished their games must keep electronic devices powered off until all games are completed
  • A tournament booklet including participant photos will be published online. If you have concerns, please inform the organizer in advance
  • To compile game records, please send your PGN files within one week after the tournament to sapporochessclub@gmail.com

PGN files must include:

  • Tournament name
  • Date
  • Round (“Round.Board” format)
  • Player names (Last name, First name; copying from ChessResults.com recommended)
  • Result

Revised: March 16, 2026 / March 18, 2026

Original post:
https://www4.rocketbbs.com/645/bbs.cgi?id=chess&mode=pickup&no=3518