30th Jean-Claude Loubatière International Festival 2026 – Open A will take place on July 5-12, 2026 in Montpellier, France. This is a chess tournament in Montpellier, France, in 2026, and it offers a 9-round classical international open at the Salle des Rencontres in Montpellier City Hall. The event is organized as the top section of the long-running Jean-Claude Loubatière festival and is presented as a norm tournament.

The tournament suits titled players, ambitious masters, and strong club competitors who want serious long-play games in a structured summer format. Moreover, the published section rules place Open A above the other festival groups, since it is reserved for players rated above 2100 Elo.

Montpellier also gives the event strong practical appeal. In addition, the playing venue sits at the city hall complex, on-site refreshments are planned, and online payment is available through the official registration platform. As a result, 30th Jean-Claude Loubatière International Festival 2026 – Open A stands out as a strong early-July option on the French classical chess calendar.

📌 Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

The confirmed total cash prize fund for 30th Jean-Claude Loubatière International Festival 2026 – Open A is €12,000, which is approximately USD 13,866. The published notice also confirms a €2,000 first prize and states that the tournament awards both general-classification prizes and category prizes.

⏰ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament uses 90 minutes for 40 moves, plus 30 minutes to finish the game, with a 30-second increment from move one. As a result, the event clearly belongs to the classical chess category and gives players enough time for serious strategic play.

The event follows a 9-round Swiss system. In addition, the official festival information describes Open A as a norm tournament, which adds extra competitive value for stronger players.

📂 Sections / Groups

This page covers the Open A section of the festival. Therefore, it focuses on the highest-rated group in the Jean-Claude Loubatière program.

🗓️ Schedule

📝 Registration

👤 Organizer

Échecs Club Montpellier organizes the tournament and manages festival communication, registration, and player support through its official channels. Moreover, the club presents the event as one of its major summer competitions, which gives the Open A section a clear and professional structure.

• Email: evenements@ecmchess.fr
• Phone: +33 7 81 62 17 40
• Website: https://ecmchess.fr/

📍 Venue

Salle des Rencontres – Hôtel de Ville, 1 Place Georges Frêche, 34267 Montpellier Cedex 2, France

The Salle des Rencontres at Montpellier City Hall serves as the official playing venue for 30th Jean-Claude Loubatière International Festival 2026 – Open A. The venue gives the tournament a central civic setting and also offers on-site refreshments during the festival.

🚗 How to Get There

Montpellier City Hall is easy to reach by public transport. The Moularès Hôtel de Ville stop on tram lines 1, 3, and 4 serves the site, and access to the Salle des Rencontres is through the OH level of the building. As a result, players can reach the venue conveniently from central Montpellier and other parts of the city.

30th Jean-Claude Loubatière International Festival 2026 – Open A is a strong choice for players who want a norm-oriented classical event, a central Montpellier venue, and a serious week of competitive chess.