18th BPB Limburg Open Maastricht takes place from May 22-25, 2026 in Maastricht, Netherlands. This is a chess tournament in Maastricht, Netherlands, in 2026. The event ranks among the largest over-the-board chess tournaments in the region and features five sections, seven rounds, and a full classical chess tournament format. Sporthal De Geusselt hosts the competition, and the published prize structure reaches about USD 13,400 when the required number of paid entries is met.
Moreover, this chess tournament in Maastricht offers a broad section system for titled players, ambitious club players, improving competitors, and seniors. The 18th BPB Limburg Open Maastricht also counts for FIDE, KNSB, and DWZ rating, which makes it especially attractive for players who want a serious FIDE rated chess tournament over the Pentecost weekend. In addition, the event uses one central venue for all groups and keeps a clear weekend structure from the first round to the last. Consequently, this chess event in Maastricht stands out as a major European festival with strong prize money and a practical city location.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | May 22-25, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Maastricht, Netherlands |
| ♟️ Format | 7-round Swiss tournament |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE, KNSB, and DWZ rated |
| 📂 Sections | A, B, C, D, Veterans |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes + 30-second increment from move 1 |
| 💳 Entry fee | EUR 52 |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 13,400 (approx.) |
| Chess-Results.com | https://chess-results.com/tnr1354428.aspx?lan=1 |
| 👤 Eligibility | Section rating limits apply; Veterans section is for players born before 1967 |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | GM, IM, and WGM players receive free entry |
🏆 Prize Fund
The published prize fund is guaranteed with at least 550 paying participants. However, if the field is smaller, the organizer will reduce the prize money proportionally.
| Section | Cash prizes |
|---|---|
| A | 1st EUR 2,250; 2nd EUR 1,750; 3rd EUR 1,500; 4th EUR 1,000; 5th EUR 500; 6th EUR 400; 7th EUR 300; 8th EUR 200; 9th EUR 100 |
| B | 1st EUR 500; 2nd EUR 400; 3rd EUR 300; 4th EUR 200; 5th EUR 150; 6th EUR 100; 7th EUR 75; 8th EUR 50 |
| C | 1st EUR 400; 2nd EUR 300; 3rd EUR 200; 4th EUR 150; 5th EUR 100; 6th EUR 75; 7th EUR 50 |
| D | 1st EUR 300; 2nd EUR 200; 3rd EUR 150; 4th EUR 100; 5th EUR 75; 6th EUR 50 |
| Veterans | 1st EUR 125; 2nd EUR 75; 3rd EUR 50 |
In addition, the event offers extra Limburg championship prizes for eligible members of the Limburg Chess Federation. These include EUR 100 for Limburg Champion, EUR 50 for Limburg Women’s Champion, EUR 50 for Limburg Senior Champion, and EUR 50 for Limburg Veterans Champion.
For place prizes, players who finish on the same score share the prize money. Moreover, the organizer rounds amounts to whole euros, and prizes below EUR 5 are not paid out.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
All groups use the same time control. Each player receives 90 minutes for the full game plus a 30-second increment from move one. Therefore, the tournament follows a standard classical chess tournament structure across all sections.
In addition, the event counts for FIDE, KNSB, and DWZ rating. Every player must have a FIDE ID. Dutch players may arrange this through the organizer, while players registered with other federations must make sure they already hold a valid FIDE ID.
Players in groups A, B, C, and D may request one half-point bye in one of the first four rounds. Meanwhile, players in the Veterans section may request two half-point byes, but only in the first six rounds. Accordingly, a round-one bye must be declared during registration.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A | 2050 and above | Top section |
| B | 1850-2100 | Upper middle section |
| C | 1400-1900 | Middle section |
| D | Up to 1600 | Entry section |
| Veterans | Born before 1967 | Minimum 6 participants required |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | Friday | 4:30 PM-6:30 PM | Registration |
| May 22, 2026 | Friday | 6:45 PM-7:00 PM | Opening |
| May 22, 2026 | Friday | 7:00 PM | Round 1 |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | 9:30 AM-9:45 AM | Registration for players with round 1 bye |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | 10:00 AM | Round 2 |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | 4:00 PM | Round 3 |
| May 24, 2026 | Sunday | 10:00 AM | Round 4 |
| May 24, 2026 | Sunday | 4:00 PM | Round 5 |
| May 25, 2026 | Monday | 9:00 AM | Round 6 |
| May 25, 2026 | Monday | 3:00 PM | Round 7 |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Online registration |
| Entry fee | EUR 52 |
| Free entry | GM, IM, WGM |
| Payment | Online payment only during registration |
| Cash payment | Not available at the venue |
| Refund policy | 100% refund if withdrawn before May 15, 2026 |
| Refund policy | 50% refund for withdrawals from May 15 through May 21, 2026 |
| Refund policy | No refund for withdrawals on May 22, 2026 |
| Administration fee | EUR 5 is deducted from refunds |
👥 Organizer
Stichting Limburg Chess Events organizes this major Pentecost weekend tournament in Maastricht and continues to run one of the best-known open chess festivals in the Netherlands. In addition, the organizing team manages registration, pairings, commentary, and event operations for a large international field.
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Email: info@limburgopen.nl
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Phone: +31 6 10886752
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Website: https://limburgopen.nl/
🏨 Venue
Sporthal De Geusselt, Olympiaweg 68, 6225 XX Maastricht, Netherlands
The tournament takes place at Sporthal De Geusselt in Maastricht. Moreover, the sports hall gives the event one central playing site for all sections throughout the weekend. Commentary and an on-site chess stall also add to the tournament atmosphere.
🛎️ Accommodation
There are many accommodation options in Maastricht and the surrounding area, including hotels, apartments, B&Bs, and holiday stays. However, the Pentecost weekend is popular, so early booking is strongly recommended.
The usual tournament hotel arrangement at Garner Hotel Maastricht is already fully booked.
🚗 How to Get There
Sporthal De Geusselt is close to the A2 motorway, which makes arrival by car straightforward. In addition, the venue offers ample parking for players and visitors. Public transport also serves the hall well, and the walk from Maastricht railway station takes about 15 minutes.
Come to Maastricht for a full Pentecost weekend of serious rated chess and enjoy one of the Netherlands’ best-known open tournaments.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $13,400
Organizer
Stichting Limburg Chess Events is a Dutch chess organizer based in Heerlen, Netherlands. It is best known for running the Limburg Open, one of the most visible open chess tournament brands in the region. Moreover, the foundation operates as a dedicated event body focused on competitive over-the-board chess.
The organization runs large-scale chess events linked to the Limburg Open, including classical and rapid formats. Its public tournament activity is clearly tied to FIDE-rated and Chess-Results-listed competitions in Maastricht. In addition, it has developed a recognizable role as a specialized tournament organizer for international and regional chess events.
Beyond a single edition, the foundation supports recurring chess festival activity that attracts players from the Netherlands and abroad. Therefore, it holds a clear place in the local and cross-border chess community. At the same time, its consistent event structure gives it a strong profile in organized classical chess and rapid chess competition.
