Malaysian Chess Festival

2024 Malaysian Open Champion: IM Poh Yu Tian

20th Dato Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championship 2025

Official Name: 20th Dato Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championship 2025
Dates: The event runs from September 15th to 21st, 2025
Organizer: DAT Chess Centre (DATCC)
Venue: KL Gateway Mall, Lot L3.01 & 02, 2, Jalan Kerinchi, Kampung Kerinchi, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan. The venue is easily accessible via the LRT Kelana Jaya Line-(KJ19) at KL Gateway, Universiti station

Format: A 9-round individual tournament utilizing the Swiss Manager Program for pairings. It is open to all players
FIDE Rated: The tournament is FIDE rated, meaning results will affect international ratings
Time Control: Each player will have 90 minutes per game plus a 30-second increment per move to finish the game. This is considered a classical time control
Rules: FIDE (International Chess Federation) rules and regulations will apply
Device Restriction: All mobile phones and electronic devices are banned from the tournament hall
FIDE ID Requirement: Players without a FIDE ID will NOT be accepted
Attire: All officials and players are expected to be smartly attired in the playing hall. The organizer reserves the right to reject entries

Fixed Exchange Rate: For all transactions related to this event, the fixed exchange rate is US $1.00 = RM 4.25

Entry Fees (Based on FIDE Rating):

Titled Player Conditions:
- There is no tournament entry fee for GMs, IMs, WGMs, and WIMs, as well as players rated above 2500 on the September 2025 FIDE Rating List
- The first 10 GMs to register will be provided accommodation on a twin-sharing basis
- Room rates are US$ 55 per room per day (for those not receiving free accommodation)
Early Bird Discount: A 10% discount on entry fees will be applied if payment is made on or before August 1st, 2025. This discount applies specifically to Event 5, 6, and 7
Closing Date: Tournament entry fees must be paid before the closing date of September 1st, 2025
Late Entry Fee: Entries submitted after September 1st, 2025, will be charged double the standard fee
No Refunds: Once registered, no refunds will be made
Bank Account for Payment: DAT Chess Centre, Maybank Current A/C No: 5145 9822 0396, Jalan Bunus, 50100 K L, Malaysia, SWIFT: MBBEMYKL
Accommodation & Transportation: All players are required to budget for their own board, lodging, and transportation needs, except for the first 10 GMs as noted above

The total prize fund is RM 65,000
Prizes will be given in US Dollars for the Open Section and Ringgit Malaysia for Special Prizes, using the fixed exchange rate of US $1.00 = RM 4.25

Open Section Prizes (US$):

Malaysian Special Prizes (RM):

Medals & Certificates: Medals and certificates will be given to winners. The Champion's name will be engraved on the Dato' Arthur Tan Challenge Trophy
Prize Entitlement: Participants are entitled to only one prize (the larger value). If prize values are the same, Open Section prizes will take precedence over the Malaysian/Special Prizes