1

British Champion in any of the past five years.

2

A score of 6½/11 (6/11 under 21) or more in the 2009 Championship. These players receive half-price entry.

3

The reigning British Under 21, Under 18 or Senior Champion. These players receive half price entry. Should there be a tie for any of these qualifying places, the tie will be split by average of opponents’ FIDE Ratings. Should the Senior Champion prefer to play in the Senior Championship, entry shall be half price to that event.

4

A score of 7½/11 (7/11 under 21) or higher in the Major Open, if eligible to play. These players receive half price entry.

5

#The highest placed eligible competitor not already qualified, in the British Rapidplay Championship.

6

The Champion, or nominee, of each of the English Chess Unions.

7

#* The highest placed eligible competitors in three regional Open Swisses organised by each of the English Chess Unions.

8

#* The highest placed eligible player, not already qualified, from any British Isles Open FIDE rated event.

9

#* The highest placed eligible player in each of the six congresses with the highest number of long-play ECF graded games in season 2008-2009.

# The tiebreak system will be sum of progressive score, failing that average of opponents’ grades. Any entry fee reduction is as decided by the event organisers.

* These qualifying routes cannot be combined to produce more than one qualifier from one tournament.

* If the qualifier in 3, 5, 7, 8, or 9 does not play, the place can only be offered to a player on the same score, who did not qualify because of tiebreak.

10

A rating of 218 (2350) or higher in a current British Isles national grading list (not Rapidplay) or any FIDE list between July 2009 and July 2010. If a player is not an IM or a GM, the rating must be active.

11

For players

Under 21 active rating of 215 (2320) or higher

Under 18 active rating of 210 (2280) or higher

Under 16 active rating of 205 (2240) or higher

Under 14 active rating of 200 (2200) or higher

Under 12 active rating of 190 (2120) or higher

For females

               active rating of 190 (2120) or higher

For females

Under 21 active rating of 180 (2040) or higher

12

For British Isles FIDE Rated tournaments or where the player represents a British Isles federation in an international event of 9 rounds or more: any player meeting at least 7 FIDE Rated opponents with a Tournament Performance of 2350 (or level as indicated in 11) or higher qualifies, with a maximum of three. The Manager of Congress Chess may accept further qualifiers.

13

Nominees of the Scottish Chess Association, Welsh Chess Union, Ulster Chess Union, Irish Chess Union, Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.

14

One nominee of each of the English Counties practising the membership only system.

15

One nominee from each of the Congress Manager and the Director of Junior Chess.