The 22nd Chefchaouen International Chess Festival 2026 takes place from October 18–25, 2026, in Chefchaouen, Morocco. The festival combines a nine-round FIDE-rated Classical Open, an 11-round FIDE-rated Blitz Marathon, a Grand Simultaneous, and a program of chess and cultural activities across the famous Blue City.

The main Classical Open uses an accelerated Swiss system with a time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one. Participation is limited to 120 players, and every competitor in the Classical Open must have a valid FIDE ID.

The organizer advertises 120,000 MAD in cash and symbolic prizes – approximately $13,000. The detailed published cash awards total 117,500 MAD – approximately $12,720, while additional prizes include trophies, chessboards with clocks, medals, and gifts.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The main International Classical Chess Open consists of nine rounds under current FIDE Laws of Chess.

A player arriving more than 30 minutes after the scheduled start loses the game.

If a player forfeits without informing the organizer, that player will not be paired for the following round. Two absences result in general forfeiture from the tournament.

An unjustified absence from the final round also prevents the player from participating in the next edition of the festival.

🌓 Half-Point Byes

Each player may request a maximum of two half-point byes during Rounds 1–5.

A bye request must:

• Be submitted in writing
• Be submitted before the start of the preceding round
• Receive organizer approval

Each approved bye gives the player 0.5 points.

🔢 Tie-Breaks

The following tie-break order applies:

🏆 Prize Fund

The organizer advertises a total of 120,000 MAD in cash and symbolic prizes – approximately $13,000 across the festival.

The individually published cash awards total 117,500 MAD – approximately $12,720. Additional symbolic awards include trophies, chessboards with clocks, medals, and gifts.

🥇 Classical Open – Overall Prizes

🇲🇦 Classical Open – Moroccan Players

👩 Classical Open – Women’s Prizes

📍 Classical Open – Local Players

🧒 Classical Open – Age Prizes

⚡ Blitz Marathon – Overall Prizes

🇲🇦 Blitz – Moroccan Players

⭐ Blitz – Additional Prizes

♟️ Grand Simultaneous

Prize Conditions

Cash prizes are not shared in case of a tie.

Prizes are also not cumulative. If a player qualifies for several awards, that player receives only the highest applicable prize.

The organizer applies the following priority:

Overall Ranking → Moroccan → Woman → Age Category → Local

♟️ Sections / Groups

The festival combines three principal chess activities.

♚ International Classical Chess Open

⚡ International Blitz Marathon

The same general tournament rules and tie-break system apply to the Blitz Marathon. However, the Chief Arbiter’s decisions in the Blitz are final.

♟️ Grand Simultaneous

The Grand Simultaneous takes place on Tuesday, October 20 at 5:00 PM at historic Uta Hamam Square.

Participation is open to players of all ages.

📅 Schedule

All times are local time in Chefchaouen, Morocco.

The official festival dates are October 18–25. The currently published activity program runs from October 18 through October 24.

🖼️ Festival Exhibition

A photo and festival-poster exhibition is scheduled daily from October 18–24 at 5:00 PM at the Youth Center.

📝 Registration

Registration for the 22nd Chefchaouen International Chess Festival 2026 is handled directly through the organizer.

The participation-request window runs from July 15 through September 10, 2026.

💵 Registration Fees

The standard 400 MAD festival entry covers both the Classical Open and the Blitz Marathon.

The deposits for eligible titled and local players are returned upon participation.

⏰ Registration Timeline

✅ Registration Procedure

Players should:

1. Submit the official registration form between July 15 and September 10 with their FIDE ID, full name, year of birth, and city or club.
2. Alternatively, send the registration request directly to the organizer by email.
3. Wait for an acknowledgement within seven days confirming acceptance or placement on the waiting list.
4. If accepted, transfer the applicable fee to the association account.
5. Send a photograph or copy of the payment receipt to the organizer.

Payments are non-refundable if a player later withdraws.

Participation is limited to 120 players.

🌐 Official Registration

https://alwanfannia.net/en/festival/2026/

📧 Registration Contact

Email: alwanfannia1977@gmail.com
Phone: +212 664 491 324

👤 Organizer

📍 Venue

Youth Center / Maison des Jeunes – Rue de la Marche Verte, Chefchaouen, Morocco

The official 2026 festival page identifies the Youth Center in Chefchaouen as the main playing venue for the 22nd edition.

The festival also uses several historic Chefchaouen locations for additional activities:

• Uta Hamam Square – Grand Simultaneous
• Hotel Parador – G. Bertola Lecture
• Historic Kasbah – Award Ceremony

This is a change from several earlier editions of the tournament, which used the Mohammed VI Complex.

🚗 How to Get There

Chefchaouen is located in northern Morocco in the Rif Mountains. The final journey to the city is normally made by road.

Players arriving internationally can continue to Chefchaouen by road from the main transport hubs in northern Morocco.

ℹ️ Other Information

🆔 FIDE ID

Every Classical Open participant must have a valid FIDE ID.

The tournament’s initial ranking will use the FIDE Elo list published in early October 2026.

📵 Electronic Devices

Mobile phones and other communication devices are prohibited inside the playing hall.

A player found with an unauthorized device during a game loses the game.

✍️ Scoresheets

Continuous algebraic notation is compulsory.

After the game, players must:

• Sign the scoresheet
• Submit the original scoresheet to the arbiter
• Return the pieces to their starting positions

🎫 Festival Badge

Players must wear their official festival badge.

A first violation receives a warning. A repeated violation carries a 100 MAD fine – approximately $20 and may ultimately result in loss of the game.

👔 Dress Code

Appropriate clothing is required inside the tournament hall and during the closing ceremony.

📸 Photography

Spectators may use photography, including flash, only during the first 15 minutes of each round.

🚭 Playing Hall Conduct

Players must maintain silence in the playing hall.

Analysis is not permitted inside the playing hall, and players may not leave the playing area without the arbiter’s permission.

Smoking is prohibited.

⚖️ Appeals

A five-member Appeals Committee will be established before the tournament.

An appeal must:

• Be submitted in writing
• Be filed no later than one hour after the round
• Include a 300 MAD deposit – approximately $40

The deposit is returned if the appeal is upheld.

🌐 Official Resources

Official 2026 Festival Page:
https://alwanfannia.net/en/festival/2026/

Festival Archive:
https://alwanfannia.net/en/festival/

FIDE Tournament Record:
https://ratings.fide.com/tournament_information.phtml?event=480387

FIDE Calendar:
https://calendar.fide.com/calendar.php?id=17665