by Ellie Emira
The Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF), under the auspices of the Commonwealth Chess Association and FIDE, is pleased to invite National Chess Federations from all Commonwealth countries to participate in the Commonwealth Chess Championship 2025, scheduled from 8 November (Arrival) to 17 November 2025 (Departure) at the Corus KLCC Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
The Championship returns to Malaysia once again — this time at the historic venue where Yeoh Li Tian completed his final norm to become Malaysia’s first-ever Grandmaster!
The 2025 edition will feature both the Open Championship and age-group events from Under-8 up to Under-18. The Open event includes category prizes for Women, Veterans, Disabled players, and Under-20 competitors, while the age-group championships will be held separately for boys and girls in the Under-8, Under-10, Under-12, Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18 categories. All rounds will be played at the Corus KLCC Hotel Grand Ballroom, located on the 1st floor of the hotel.
For the Open Championship, each Commonwealth country may field one man, one woman, one senior (above 60), one junior girl (U20), and one junior boy (U20) as its official players. For the Age-Group Championships, each country may nominate one boy and one girl in each of the U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, and U18 categories, all recognised as official players.
The Standard Championship will be played over nine rounds with a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment, while a Blitz Championship will also be held using a 3+2 time control across 7–9 rounds for the Open and Youth U18 categories.
A total prize fund of RM95,000 (approx. USD 22,900) has been allocated, with RM85,000 (approx. USD 20,000) for the Standard Championship and RM10,000 (approx. USD 2,900) for the Blitz event.
Entry fees are USD 75 for official players and USD 150 for additional players. Grandmasters (GMs) and International Masters (IMs) rated 2400+, as well as Women Grandmasters (WGMs) and Women International Masters (WIMs) rated 2250+, will enjoy free entry. A registration fee of USD 110 applies to all players, covering accreditation, airport transfers, and the Closing Dinner.
All participants are required to stay at the official hotels on a full-board basis. This includes breakfast at the respective hotels, with lunch and dinner provided via food coupons at the Corus KLCC Hotel.
The Corus KLCC Hotel will serve as both the main accommodation and tournament venue, while the De King Hotel will serve as the secondary option. Both hotels offer a scenic view of modern Kuala Lumpur, surrounded by skyscrapers and a vibrant nightlife. The organizer will provide free accommodation to all Official Representatives.
The registration deadline is 8 October 2025, with a 50% deposit required by this date. Late entries will be accepted until 30 October with a late fee of USD 50, and the deadline for full payment is 31 October 2025. Registration must be completed through the official registration form.
Visit Event Website
We look forward to welcoming players, officials, and guests from across the Commonwealth to Malaysia for an exciting and memorable championship in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.