An Initiative Made Possible by Chess Hub Sdn Bhd

THE NATIONAL GRAND PRIX

CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2025

WHAT THE PROGRAM IS ALL ABOUT

The National Grand Prix Chess Championship is the first ever effort to create a Knock Out Championship Cycle to crown a National Grand Prix Champion. The inaugural format is made possible due to the visionary sponsorship by Chess Hub Sdn Bhd - the main sponsor and a chess management entity, who has agreed to work with the Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) to run the program.

The National Grand Prix Chess (GP) Championship will gather the top 32 GP point earners from the Standard circuits offered and managed by Chess Hub and MCF. At the moment, there will be at least 16 Standard events that will be offering GP points starting with the MCF Office U2400 Standard Event Series #2 / 2025 held on 12th and 13th April 2025.

Two more immediate events that will offer valuable GP points are the Malaysian Chess Championship 2025 (Open, Women and Challenger events), and the upcoming National Open Team Chess Championship - PMX Trophy which is planned for July 2025

A FULL GP Points will be offered for events that are either Open (no rating limit) or U2400 events, whilst events that are specifically for U1800 will only be offering PARTIAL GP Points. GP points are offered up to the 32nd placed player hence, if there are less than 32 players in the playing field, all players will earned their respective GP Points. This events are only meant for Malaysians hence if there is a foreigner finishing in the top 32 places, the GP points earned will be lost.

How To Qualify For The GP Championship

1. Player must have a valid MCF ID. Points earned BEFORE signing up or renewing your MCF ID SHALL NOT BE COUNTED and will be forfeited

2. Player must play and complete all games in at least 6 GP Circuits.
3. There is no limit to the number of GP Circuits a player can play in. At the end of the day, its the number of points earned shall be the deciding factor.
4. The top 24 GP points earners, and the top 6 Women GP points earners - excluding those in the top 24, together with 1 nominee each from Chess Hub and MCF will be playing the the final 32 player field Championship event.
5. If two or more players has earned the same number of GP points, their standing shall be based on the following tiebreaker:
a) The player who has played more GP Circuit events
b) The player who has played more Open/U2400 GP Circuit events
c) The player who has amassed more game points in all the GP Circuits played (with all the similar TB used)
6. If the number of players does not reach the required 32 player field, there will be no additional number of players added or replaced. The Prize Fund shall remain the same for those who qualify at their respective stages even though the number of players have reduced. However, the schedule and final format may change to accommodate the lesser pool. If need be, Chess Hub and MCF may conduct additional events to allow for more players to qualify
7. Chess Hub and MCF reserves the right to remove anyone from participating in the GP Championship without providing any reasons

EVENT FORMAT

GRAND PRIX POINTS

The Total Grand Prix points offered at each Standard GP circuit will differ depending on the event rating bracket. The full 250 points is offered for Open/U2400 events while for U1800 events, only 180 points will be offered to the top 32 winners.

Grand Prix points are meant only local Malaysian players and if a foreigner were to earn the top 32 spots, then the GP points shall be lost/forfeited.

PRIZE FUND OFFERED

The total prize fun offered is RM30,000 with the winner to bag RM10,000 - the most lucrative cash prize fund ever offered for an individual event in a local Malaysian tournament for a Malaysian

By qualifying in the Championship Cycle, players are entitled to claim the minimum prize fund of RM250 but must compete and complete all the games scheduled. The Organizer will not hand out any payment for any forfeitures, non attendance or absences by any player.

CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT

All 32 players qualified for the Championship Cycle will be seeded according to their FIDE Rating or MCF Rating in the absence of a FIDE Rating. The higher rated player will start with the white pieces and alternate color in the second game. If the score ends in a tie, 2 Blitz game shall be played and if still tied, an Armageddon game will be held to decide the winner.

The Rapid Time Control will be used for the Round of 32 and Round of 16. For the remaining games, the Standard Time Control will be used.

Please download brochure for more information

For more information, please download the following brochure. Questions and clarifications can be made by writing an email to mcfsecretariat@malaysiachess.org or info@chesshub.co.

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