3rd TRINAKRIA International Chess Festival runs from July 26 to August 2, 2026 in Palermo, Italy. This is a chess tournament in Palermo, Italy, in 2026. The festival takes place at the San Paolo Palace Hotel & Conference Center, which gives players a seaside playing venue and on-site accommodation in one location.

The event brings together three FIDE-rated classical open tournaments over nine rounds. Moreover, the festival offers a total prize fund of EUR 10,000, which is approximately USD 11,539. As a result, it stands out as one of the stronger summer chess festivals in Sicily.

Players also get a practical tournament setup. They can choose between three rating groups, stay in the official hotel, and complete pre-registration before arrival. In addition, the schedule keeps a steady rhythm from the opening round on Sunday to the final round and prize ceremony on the following Sunday.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The festival uses the Swiss system in all three sections. Open A follows a longer classical format. Each player gets 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, then 15 more minutes to finish the game, plus a 30-second increment from move one. Meanwhile, Open B and Open C use 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment for the full game.

The tournament also follows a clear competitive structure. Players may request one half-point bye before the event starts, although that option does not apply to the last two rounds. In addition, the default late-arrival time is 30 minutes. The festival then applies these tie-breaks in order: REP, Buchholz, Buchholz Cut 1, direct encounter, and ARO.

The organizers also keep the playing conditions strict and practical. Players may not bring mobile phones, smart watches, tablets, or other electronic devices into the playing hall. Likewise, the venue does not allow smoking in the tournament area.

🏆 Prize Fund

The festival offers a total prize fund of EUR 10,000, or about USD 11,539. Open A carries the biggest prizes, while Open B and Open C add solid section payouts and special awards. Therefore, the event gives both stronger titled players and ambitious club players a meaningful prize structure.

The organizer also gives cups to the top three finishers in each section. Moreover, the organizer pays prizes by bank transfer. At the same time, players must attend the prize ceremony in person to collect their awards.

👥 Sections / Groups

The festival has three open groups based on the July 2026 FIDE rating list. Because of that structure, players can enter the section that best matches their current rating and competitive level.

Open A serves as the top group of the festival. Meanwhile, Open B and Open C give developing players a more balanced field. As a result, the tournament appeals to a broad international mix of participants.

🗓️ Schedule

The festival runs for a full week. First, registration closes on Sunday afternoon. Then the first round starts later that same day. After that, the event continues with a steady classical schedule until the final round on Sunday morning.

This schedule gives players one double-round day and then a stable one-round rhythm on the other main days. Therefore, the festival stays demanding without becoming overly compressed.

📝 Registration

Players must complete pre-registration before the event. They can do that through VESUS or by email. In addition, players who want the standard entry fee should send payment by bank transfer no later than July 17, 2026. Players may also pay on site until 14:30 on July 26, although the organizer adds a EUR 20 surcharge in that case.

The registration system is clear and practical. Moreover, it lets titled players, juniors, women, and higher-rated participants benefit from different fee categories. As a result, players should choose the correct section and payment option early.

🏢 Organizer

ASD Matti per gli Scacchi organizes the festival in Palermo and manages the event together with the local tournament team. The club focuses on over-the-board chess activity and gives the festival a clear local base in Sicily.

Phone: +39 338 153 5602
Email: info@trinakriascacchi.it

📍 Venue

San Paolo Palace Hotel & Conference Center, Via Messina Marine 91, 90123 Palermo, Italy

The venue combines the playing hall and the hotel in one place. Therefore, players can stay on site and keep travel stress low during the tournament week. The hotel package includes rates such as EUR 80 per person per day in a double room with full board, a EUR 20 single-room supplement, and a EUR 15 reduction for half board.

The venue also suits an international summer event. It gives players a practical base near the sea while still keeping the full tournament operation under one roof. As a result, daily logistics stay simple for both players and accompanying guests.

🚆 How to Get There

Players can reach the venue from Falcone-Borsellino Airport by car, taxi, or local transfer. The hotel sits on Via Messina Marine, so it also connects well to Palermo’s urban transport network. In addition, nearby bus connections help players reach the venue from other parts of the city.

This Palermo festival is a strong choice for players who want a full classical chess week in Sicily with hotel accommodation, clear section structure, and a substantial prize fund.