Open Tatry 2026 30+ takes place from May 16-23, 2026 in Tatranské Matliare, Slovakia. This is a chess tournament in Tatranské Matliare, Slovakia, in 2026. The event is an over-the-board chess tournament for players aged 30 and older, and it also includes the Slovak Senior Championship 50+ within the same competition. Hotel SOREA Hutník hosts the tournament, which follows an 8-round classical chess tournament format with FIDE rating and a confirmed cash prize fund of about USD 1,650.
Moreover, this chess tournament in Tatranské Matliare gives players a full week of serious competition in the High Tatras with one open section, senior championship titles, and several additional prize categories. In addition, Open Tatry 2026 30+ combines a mountain hotel setting with a clear schedule, cumulative prizes, and special awards for Slovak senior players. As a result, this chess event in Tatranské Matliare is an appealing option for veterans, club players, titled participants, women, and ambitious seniors who want a well-structured FIDE rated chess tournament in Slovakia.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | May 16-23, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Tatranské Matliare, Slovakia |
| ♟️ Format | 8-round Swiss tournament |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated |
| 📂 Sections | 1 section |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 15 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment from move 1 |
| 💳 Entry fee | GM and WGM: free; IM and WIM: EUR 20; standard entry fee: EUR 50 |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 1,650 (approx.) |
| 👤 Eligibility | Open to players born in 1996 or earlier; special prizes for Slovak Chess Federation members aged 50+ |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | The event includes the Slovak Senior Championship 50+ |
🏆 Prize Fund
The total confirmed cash prize fund is EUR 1,500. In addition, the published overall prize structure may increase if additional federation support is granted. Prize categories are cumulative, so one player may win multiple cash awards.
| Prize category | Cash prizes |
|---|---|
| Main prizes | 1st EUR 200; 2nd EUR 150; 3rd EUR 100; 4th-10th EUR 50 each |
| Slovak Senior Championship 50+ | 1st EUR 100; 2nd EUR 60; 3rd EUR 40 |
| Women | 1st EUR 60; 2nd EUR 50; 3rd EUR 30 |
| Elo under 1950 | 1st EUR 60; 2nd EUR 50; 3rd EUR 30 |
| Elo under 1800 | 1st EUR 60; 2nd EUR 50; 3rd EUR 30 |
| Special draw prize | EUR 80 |
Additionally, the best male Slovak Chess Federation member aged 50+ wins the title of Slovak Senior Champion 50+ 2026. The best female Slovak Chess Federation member aged 50+ also wins the Slovak women’s senior title if at least three eligible female players take part. The winner, Slovak Senior Champion 50+, and Slovak women’s senior champion receive cups, while other prize winners receive diplomas.
A player must attend the closing ceremony and the winners’ photo session in person to receive any prize. Financial prizes are paid by bank transfer. Furthermore, the organizer may reduce the prize fund proportionally if the total collected entry fees do not cover the full financial prize structure, although first prize will not be reduced.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses an 8-round Swiss system with pairings generated in Swiss-Manager. Each player receives 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, then 15 additional minutes for the rest of the game, together with a 30-second increment from move one. Therefore, the event follows a full classical chess tournament structure over eight days.
In addition, the event is rated for FIDE Elo. Electronic clocks will be used on all boards. The waiting time is 20 minutes from the official start of the round. Players may request one half-point bye, but not in the final round. However, the request must be made before the pairing of the relevant round.
The published tie-break order is points scored, Buchholz, number of wins, direct encounter, and average Elo of opponents. Food, smoking, alcohol, and other intoxicating substances are not allowed in the playing hall. Players may keep switched-off electronic devices in the playing area in line with the applicable FIDE rule. The event also applies a smart casual dress code for players, arbiters, and everyone in the playing room.
📂 Sections / Groups
The tournament is played as one main open section for players aged 30 and older. In addition, special prizes and Slovak championship titles apply to eligible Slovak Chess Federation members aged 50 and above.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2026 | Saturday | 4:00 PM-4:30 PM | Registration |
| May 16, 2026 | Saturday | 6:00 PM | Opening ceremony / Round 1 |
| May 17, 2026 | Sunday | 6:00 PM | Round 2 |
| May 18, 2026 | Monday | 6:00 PM | Round 3 |
| May 19, 2026 | Tuesday | 6:00 PM | Round 4 |
| May 20, 2026 | Wednesday | 6:00 PM | Round 5 |
| May 21, 2026 | Thursday | 6:00 PM | Round 6 |
| May 22, 2026 | Friday | 6:00 PM | Round 7 |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | 9:00 AM | Round 8 |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | 2:15 PM | Closing ceremony |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Electronic registration through the organizer website |
| Entry fee | GM and WGM: free; IM and WIM: EUR 20; standard entry fee: EUR 50 |
| Deadline | Entry fee should be paid by April 20, 2026 |
| Late fee | Entry fee increases by EUR 15 after April 20, 2026 |
| Payment | Bank transfer or bank deposit to the organizer account after registration |
| Check-in | Personally required during the published registration period |
| Membership | Slovak Chess Federation members must have paid their 2026 membership fee |
| FIDE ID | FIDE ID is required |
| Cancellation policy | Cancellation is possible by email until May 9, 2026; refunded entry fee is reduced by EUR 10 handling fee |
| Late cancellation | No refund after May 9, 2026 unless the tournament director decides otherwise |
👥 Organizer
Nadácia 42 organizes this High Tatras senior event and manages the tournament together with the published festival team and arbiters. In addition, the organizer handles registration, prize administration, and player communication for the full tournament week.
-
Address: Vyšehradská 6, 851 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
-
Email: info@tatrafest.sk
-
Phone: +421 908684444
-
Website: https://www.tatrafest.sk
🏨 Venue
Hotel SOREA Hutník, Tatranské Matliare, Vysoké Tatry, Slovakia
The tournament takes place at Hotel SOREA Hutník in Tatranské Matliare in the High Tatras. Moreover, the hotel provides one shared playing site for the full event. This setup keeps the week practical for players who want accommodation and tournament play in the same location.
🛎️ Accommodation
The organizer provides accommodation and catering in cooperation with Hotel SOREA Hutník for players and accompanying persons. In addition, a non-playing accommodated person pays an extra fee of EUR 10.
🚗 How to Get There
The venue is in Tatranské Matliare in the High Tatras. In addition, the hotel location gives players a direct destination in the mountain resort area for the full tournament week.
Enjoy a full week of rated chess in the High Tatras and compete in a well-structured senior event with championship titles and cumulative prize chances.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $1,650