2nd International Chess Festival – Castello di Santa Severa Roma
2nd International Chess Festival – Castello di Santa Severa Roma runs from August 6-9, 2026. This is a chess tournament in Santa Marinella, Italy, in 2026. The event brings classical over-the-board chess to one of the most distinctive playing locations on the Lazio coast.
The festival features three rating-based open tournaments, each played over seven rounds with a 90-minute time control plus a 30-second increment from move one. It is valid for Elo Italia and FIDE rating purposes, and the confirmed gross cash prize fund is €4,160, or about $4,790 at the current ECB reference rate.
Players compete inside Castello di Santa Severa in a compact four-day schedule with two double-round days. The structure is practical, the seaside setting stands out, and the entry process combines Vesus pre-registration with bank-transfer confirmation.
📌 Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏁 Tournament | 2nd International Chess Festival – Castello di Santa Severa Roma |
| 📅 Dates | August 6-9, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Santa Marinella, Italy |
| 🏛️ Venue | Castello di Santa Severa, SS1 Via Aurelia, Km 52.600, 00058 Santa Marinella (RM) |
| ♟️ Format | Over-the-board classical festival |
| 👥 Sections | 3 open sections |
| 🔢 Rounds | 7 |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move 1 |
| 🌍 Rating | Elo Italia / FIDE |
| 💰 Prize fund | €4,160 gross cash prizes (approx. $4,790) |
| 🏢 Organizer | ASD Pianeta Scacchi |
The event runs as a three-section classical festival in Santa Marinella with one shared venue and one unified playing schedule.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
All three sections use a 90’+30″ classical time control and run over 7 rounds. The event uses the FIDE Dutch Swiss pairing system. Tie-breaks follow this order: REP, Buchholz Cut 1, Buchholz Total, and ARO.
Players may not take a half-point bye. The default time is 60 minutes, full notation is required, and electronic devices must remain switched off during play. Anti-cheating checks may take place before, during, or after rounds.
🏆 Prize Fund
The confirmed gross cash prize fund is €4,160, which is approximately $4,790 at the current ECB euro-dollar reference rate. Cash prizes are subject to the applicable withholding rules.
| Section | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Additional cash prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open A | €800 | €600 | €350 | €200 | 1900-2150: €120 |
| Open B | €550 | €350 | €220 | €120 | 1800-2000: €80 |
| Open C | €300 | €200 | €120 | €80 | 1399-1700: €70 |
First and second place in each section also receive trophies. The top Under 16 finisher in each section receives a backpack. Prizes are indivisible and not cumulative, and only the highest prize earned is awarded.
👥 Sections / Groups
| Section | Published rating band | Time control | Rounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open A | Over 1950 | 90’+30″ | 7 |
| Open B | 1700-2000 | 90’+30″ | 7 |
| Open C | Under 1700 | 90’+30″ | 7 |
The festival splits the field into three rating-based groups, so players can enter the section that matches the published eligibility band for their event.
🗓️ Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| August 6, 2026 | 10:00 | Attendance check |
| August 6, 2026 | 10:30 | Round 1 |
| August 6, 2026 | 16:30 | Round 2 |
| August 7, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 3 |
| August 7, 2026 | 16:15 | Round 4 |
| August 8, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 5 |
| August 8, 2026 | 16:15 | Round 6 |
| August 9, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 7 |
| August 9, 2026 | After Round 7 | Prize ceremony |
The schedule is compact and efficient, with two rounds on both Thursday and Friday before the final round and awards ceremony on Sunday.
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Pre-registration | Vesus pre-registration |
| Final registration | Registration becomes final after payment by bank transfer and acceptance of the event regulations |
| Payment deadline rule | Ordinary bank transfer until July 31; instant transfer after that date |
| Bank details | IBAN: IT59G0623005089000064145236 |
| Transfer note | Festival Castello ’26 – surname, first name, date of birth, and player phone number |
| Proof of payment | Send the bank-transfer receipt to info@pianetascacchi.it |
| Registration closes | August 6, 2026 at 09:30 |
| Open A fee | €80 until July 26; €90 after July 26 |
| Open B fee | €70 until July 26; €80 after July 26 |
| Open C fee | €60 until July 26; €70 after July 26 |
| Top player condition | Players rated 2300+ pay €10 |
| Other reductions | €10 reduction for players rated 2200+ |
| Discounts | €5 reduction for U16, Over 70, protected categories, and Pianeta Scacchi members |
| Family discount | Additional cumulative €5 reduction for each member of the same household |
| Eligibility | Italian players and foreign players resident in Italy need FSI 2026 membership; foreign players not resident in Italy need a FIN before participation |
The registration flow is straightforward: pre-register first, then complete the entry by bank transfer and send the receipt to the organizer.
🏢 Organizer
ASD Pianeta Scacchi organizes the festival and runs regular chess activity in the Rome area, including rated tournaments, club play, and teaching programs.
Phone: +39 339 6933691
Email: info@pianetascacchi.it
📍 Venue
Castello di Santa Severa, SS1 Via Aurelia, Km 52.600, 00058 Santa Marinella (RM), Italy
The venue gives the festival a memorable coastal setting near Rome while keeping the playing site easy to identify and easy to reach. It is a landmark location on the Tyrrhenian shore, with parking available next to the castle complex.
🚆 How to Get There
By train, use the Roma-Civitavecchia line and get off at Santa Severa station. By bus, use the COTRAL Roma-Civitavecchia service and get off at the S.S. Aurelia stop for the Castello di Santa Severa junction. By car, follow SS Aurelia to the Castello di Santa Severa turnoff.
This festival offers a strong mix of serious classical chess, a clear structure, and a standout Italian venue.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $4,790
Organizer
ASD Pianeta Scacchi is a chess association based in Canale Monterano, Lazio, Italy. The club was founded on February 19, 2022. It operates as an active local organizer and supports chess in Manziana and the surrounding area. The association is also affiliated with the Italian Chess Federation.
The club runs tournaments, lessons, and regular chess activities. It supports both competitive players and new learners. ASD Pianeta Scacchi also works as an FSI-recognized chess school. Its public activity includes events such as the Festival at Castello di Santa Severa and long-play tournaments in Manziana. As a result, the club has built a visible role in the local chess scene.
The public leadership structure is clear. Giuseppe Coppola serves as president and also handles communication and institutional relations. Therefore, he is the strongest named main contact for organizer communication and public coordination.
Venue on the Map
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
