Venue and Capacity

The MIO will be played at Melbourne Chess Club and will have a capacity of approximately 180 players.

What happens if you register for the Masters but your latest published rating prior to the commencement of the MIO is below 2000?

If your rating is below 2000 at the time of registration, your entry will be provisionally accepted and reviewed before the pairing of round 1. If you are rated above 2000 at the time of registration but your published rating on the FIDE April 2026 rating list is below 2000, depending on how far below 2000 your rating has fallen to, your entry may still be accepted. There will be a few additional places available to players rated below 2000 - check the Rules and Regulations for more information. Any players ineligible for the Masters will be moved to the Amateurs.

Is it possible to register for the Masters division if your current rating is below 2000?

As per the Rules and Regulations, players may enter into the Masters division provisionally but will be moved to the Amateurs division if their published rating on the FIDE April 2026 rating list is still below 2000.

Information for International Players

Any interested international players are encouraged to contact the Chief Organiser directly for more information. We actively encourage the participation of both titled and non-titled international players and will prioritise your assistance to make your participation as convenient as possible.

Junior, Interstate, and Unrated Participants

The MIO is an inclusive event and we encourage participation from everyone regardless of age, location, and rating. There are no age or rating requirements for the Open division and we would love to see a diverse range of players both nationally and internationally.

Accessibility and Inclusion

Both the MIO and Melbourne Chess Club are inclusive. MCC is wheelchair accessible and has a designated disabled bathroom. Any player who has a disability - physical or otherwise - are encouraged to contact the Chief Organiser so that arrangements can be made to assist you in your participation.