Shin Sapporo Chess Club Tournament Series 2026
Shin Sapporo Chess Club Tournament Series 2026 runs from March 28-June 28, 2026 in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. This is a chess tournament series in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, in 2026. The series includes four separate over-the-board chess tournaments: Sapporo Spring Chess Open, Sapporo Sakura Chess Open, Sapporo Shinryoku Chess Open, and Sapporo Summer Chess Open. Each event uses a five-round Swiss format, follows FIDE and Japan Chess Federation standard rating rules, and takes place at Zendo Security Center.
Moreover, this chess tournament series in Sapporo gives players a consistent monthly chance to compete in rated classical events in Hokkaido. The Shin Sapporo Chess Club Tournament Series 2026 combines a practical weekend structure, a clear entry process, and identical playing conditions across all four tournaments. In addition, the series offers the same prize structure for every event. As a result, this chess event in Sapporo is an appealing option for club players and improving competitors who want a reliable FIDE rated chess tournament schedule in Japan.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | March 28-29, 2026; April 25-26, 2026; May 30-31, 2026; June 27-28, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan |
| ♟️ Format | 5-round Swiss tournament |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated and JCF national standard rated |
| 📂 Sections | 1 section in each event |
| ⏱️ Time control | 60 minutes + 30-second increment from move 1 |
| 💳 Entry fee | JPY 10,000 |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 410 (approx.) per event |
| 👤 Eligibility | Open to JCF members and players holding a valid FIDE ID |
| 👥 Capacity | 40 players per event |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Participation is restricted to players rated below 2400 FIDE standard |
🏆 Prize Fund
Each tournament in the series offers the same confirmed cash prize fund of JPY 60,000.
| Prize category | Cash prizes |
|---|---|
| 1st place | JPY 30,000 |
| 2nd place | JPY 20,000 |
| 3rd place | JPY 10,000 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Each event uses a 5-round Swiss system. Every player receives 60 minutes for the game plus a 30-second increment from move one. Therefore, the series delivers a compact but fully rated classical chess tournament format across four weekends.
Moreover, all events count for both FIDE standard rating and JCF national standard rating. Recording moves is mandatory, and players must complete their scoresheets until the end of the game. The published tie-break order is Buchholz, Sonneborn-Berger, and performance rating. In addition, a forced pairing bye counts as a win worth 1 point. Except for the final day, a requested bye declared before the pairing of the previous round counts as a draw worth half a point. The organizer may also assign a half-point bye to a player absent at the start of round 1.
📂 Sections / Groups
The series is played as one main open section in each event. However, participation is limited to players rated below 2400 in FIDE standard rating.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 28, 2026 | Saturday | 9:00 AM | Round 1 |
| March 28, 2026 | Saturday | 1:00 PM | Round 2 |
| March 28, 2026 | Saturday | 4:15 PM | Round 3 |
| March 29, 2026 | Sunday | 9:00 AM | Round 4 |
| March 29, 2026 | Sunday | 1:00 PM | Round 5 |
| March 29, 2026 | Sunday | Around 4:15 PM | Prize ceremony |
| April 25, 2026 | Saturday | 9:00 AM | Round 1 |
| April 25, 2026 | Saturday | 1:00 PM | Round 2 |
| April 25, 2026 | Saturday | 4:15 PM | Round 3 |
| April 26, 2026 | Sunday | 9:00 AM | Round 4 |
| April 26, 2026 | Sunday | 1:00 PM | Round 5 |
| April 26, 2026 | Sunday | Around 4:15 PM | Prize ceremony |
| May 30, 2026 | Saturday | 9:00 AM | Round 1 |
| May 30, 2026 | Saturday | 1:00 PM | Round 2 |
| May 30, 2026 | Saturday | 4:15 PM | Round 3 |
| May 31, 2026 | Sunday | 9:00 AM | Round 4 |
| May 31, 2026 | Sunday | 1:00 PM | Round 5 |
| May 31, 2026 | Sunday | Around 4:15 PM | Prize ceremony |
| June 27, 2026 | Saturday | 9:00 AM | Round 1 |
| June 27, 2026 | Saturday | 1:00 PM | Round 2 |
| June 27, 2026 | Saturday | 4:15 PM | Round 3 |
| June 28, 2026 | Sunday | 9:00 AM | Round 4 |
| June 28, 2026 | Sunday | 1:00 PM | Round 5 |
| June 28, 2026 | Sunday | Around 4:15 PM | Prize ceremony |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Register by email or through the Shin Sapporo Chess Club form |
| Entry fee | JPY 10,000 |
| Payment | Payment on site |
| Deadline | Thursday before each event at 11:59 PM |
| Capacity | 40 players per event |
| Membership | JCF members are eligible; non-JCF members may also participate if they register in advance |
| Non-member fee | Non-members must pay an additional JPY 3,000 federation participation fee |
| Registration details | Players must provide tournament name, player name, JCF ID, and FIDE ID |
👥 Organizer
Shin Sapporo Chess Club organizes this monthly tournament series and continues to support regular rated chess activity in Sapporo. In addition, the club manages registration, scheduling, and tournament operations across the full spring and early summer calendar in Hokkaido.
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Address: Zendo Security Center, 9-7-20 Hiragishi 4-jo, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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Email: info@shinsapporochessclub.jp
🏨 Venue
Zendo Security Center, 9-7-20 Hiragishi 4-jo, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
The full tournament series takes place at the same venue in Sapporo. Moreover, the consistent playing site helps players prepare easily for each monthly event. The venue also allows the organizer to run the same schedule and format throughout the series.
🚗 How to Get There
Players can travel to the venue within Sapporo by local transport or by car. In addition, holding all four events at the same location makes the series convenient for returning participants throughout the season.
🧾 Other
Mobile phones and other electronic devices must be switched off at all times. If a device makes a sound, is used, or is handled during the game, the player loses the game immediately. Furthermore, players may not use electronic devices inside the playing venue even outside active game time.
The organizer may adjust the schedule depending on tournament progress. Therefore, players should stay prepared for minor timing changes during the weekend.
Build your rating in Sapporo and enjoy a dependable series of monthly FIDE-rated chess weekends in Hokkaido.
Date And Time
28-06-2026
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Organizer
Shin Sapporo Chess Club is a Sapporo-based chess club and emerging chess organizer in Hokkaido, Japan. The club was officially recognized by the Japan Chess Federation in 2025 and has quickly built a visible role in the local chess scene. Moreover, it serves as an international-facing chess community that connects local players with rated competition and regular over-the-board activity.
The club runs a growing schedule of official tournaments in Sapporo and supports both developing and experienced players. In addition, it organizes FIDE-rated tournament events, national rated competitions, and recurring classical chess tournaments through its 2026 tournament series. The Sapporo Valentine Chess Open is part of this same calendar and reflects the club’s role as a serious tournament organizer in northern Japan.
Beyond event delivery, the club also promotes chess training, study activity, and a broader community experience for players across levels. Furthermore, it presents itself as an active international chess hub in Hokkaido, with regular opportunities for competition and improvement. As a result, Shin Sapporo Chess Club is becoming an important open chess tournament organizer in the Japanese chess landscape.
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