XTX London Chess Classic returns

by Press release
9/28/2026 – The XTX Markets London Chess Classic (LCC) returns to the capital between 24th November and 6th December 2026. The event will begin with an opening ceremony and drawing of lots at the iconic Tower of London, with the majority of games taking place alongside the LCC Festival at London Novotel West in Hammersmith.
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Last year Uzbekistan's GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov produced a thrilling six-game winning streak on his way to an emphatic victory, a full two points clear of the chasing pack led by GM Alireza Firouzja. In doing so, Nodirbek finished just half a game point short of a performance rating of over 3,000, a feat only achieved four times in the history of chess.

This year's LCC features a huge range of events for players of all standards to enjoy:

  • The LCC Masters, an elite invitation-only all-play-all tournament featuring ten of the world's top grandmasters. We expect to be able to announce the line-up of the event soon. 
  • The LCC Challengers, an invitation-only all-play-all tournament giving some of the best up-and-coming talents the chance to qualify for next year's LCC Masters. 
  • The LCC Swiss, a 9-round classical tournament suitable for those seeking IM and GM norms.
  • A 5-round weekend classical tournament with rated sections: Open, U2000, U1750, U1500, U1250. 
  • A 5-round weekday classical tournament with rated sections: Open, U1800, U1400
  • Evening blitz tournaments
  • The LCC team blitz tournament, for teams of four players. 
  • The Pro-Biz Cup, an event that pairs our elite GMs with bidders from business and industry to raise funds for CSC.
  • The Super Rapid, a 10-round Swiss rapidplay event for everyone. 
  • The LCC Dinner at the Dorchester Hotel, raising money to support the work of the charity. 

Entries for all tournaments are now open on the LCC website. The 2026 XTX Markets London Chess Classic welcomes spectators who want to follow the action of our elite events. Visitors to London Novotel West will be able to watch the games in the playing hall or listen to live grandmaster analysis from our commentary team. Spectator tickets are available for Rounds 3 to 9 and can be purchased here.

Compete alongside the GMs in the Super Rapid

The 2026 XTX Markets London Chess Classic offers everyone the chance to compete against our elite GMs in the Super Rapid tournament. This two-day event held over the weekend of 5th/6th December will also feature some specially invited guests.

The format is a 10-round Swiss tournament held at London Novotel West. Can you rise to the top and take on some of the stars of world chess?

A special day out for schools

Each weekday, CSC will be welcoming 200 children from our Schools' Programme to the XTX Markets London Chess Classic. The children will enjoy a day of chess activities including:

  • lessons from a CSC tutor
  • simultaneous games against chess experts
  • the chance to meet and play a game against a Grandmaster
  • a tournament against their peers from around the country.

Invitations will be sent out by CSC's Regional Organisers soon and we hope to repeat the success of 2025 in welcoming schools from all over the country. 

CSC Schools' Programme

While preparations for the 2026 XTX Markets London Chess Classic in November are now underway, our Schools' Programme has resumed in a record number of schools around the country. This term, CSC tutors will be delivering chess lessons and running chess clubs in over 450 schools nationwide.

To find out more about how CSC can support chess at your school, please visit the CSC website. We are particularly interested in hearing from members of staff who want to run their own chess clubs but need some assistance getting started. We have an amazing package of free equipment, training and support available for schools in which over 30% of the students receive free school meals. 

Past winners of the London Chess Classic

This DVD allows you to learn from the example of one of the best players in the history of chess and from the explanations of the authors how to successfully organise your games strategically, and how to keep your opponent permanently under pressure.

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