The British Chess Championships expect a massive turnout. More than 800 players will participate in all events and age groups of the 2009 edition.

Top seeded in the main event of the British championship is the young talent GM David Howell (ELO 2614). His main competition will be GM Stuart Conquest (defending champion), GM Gawain Jones, GM Stephen Gordon, GM Simon Williams, GM Keith Arkell, GM Peter Wells, GM Mark Hebden, GM Aaron Summerscale, and GM Daniel Gormally.

Besides, there will be multiple players seeking GM norms, among them the top women British player IM Jovanka Houska, and the international masters James Cobb, Malcolm Pein, Paul Littlewood, etc.