XIX Open Internacional Poble de Montserrat 2026
XIX Open Internacional Poble de Montserrat 2026 runs from August 24-30, 2026 in Montserrat, Valencia, Spain. This is a chess tournament in Montserrat, Spain, in 2026. It is an established late-summer open that brings a full week of classical chess to the local Casa de la Cultura.
The event uses a 9-round Swiss and follows a classical 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move time control. Moreover, the tournament is valid for FIDE rating and an IM norm, so it offers solid competitive value for both experienced players and ambitious improvers.
The organizer limits the field to 80 players, although it may expand the capacity if needed. In addition, the published cash prize list totals EUR 2,020, which is approximately USD 2,344 using the ECB reference rate of EUR 1 = USD 1.1605 published on April 1, 2026.
🏁 Event Details
The official regulations confirm the core tournament details below.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | August 24-30, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Casa de la Cultura de Montserrat, Carrer Dos de Maig 6, Montserrat, Valencia, Spain |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes + 30-second increment per move |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated; valid for an IM norm |
| 👥 Sections | One open section |
| 👤 Capacity | 80 players |
| ⏳ Default time forfeit | 15 minutes |
| 💰 Prize fund | EUR 2,020 in confirmed cash prizes (approx. USD 2,344) |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Players compete in a full 9-round Swiss. Each player receives 90 minutes for the game, and the clock adds 30 seconds per move from move one. As a result, the event clearly fits the classical tournament format.
Players may request three half-point byes in the first seven rounds. However, they must request pre-tournament byes by August 23 by email and receive confirmation. During the event, players must request byes at the arbiter’s table before the published deadlines.
💰 Prize Fund
The confirmed cash prize fund totals EUR 2,020, which is approximately USD 2,344. The event also adds trophies and sponsor gifts in selected categories, but the USD total here reflects only the confirmed cash awards.
| Category | Prize details |
|---|---|
| General standings | 1st €400; 2nd €300; 3rd €200; 4th €100; 5th €100; 6th €100; 7th €100; 8th €100; 9th €100; 10th €100 |
| Rating prizes | 1st U2000 €80; 2nd U2000 €80; 1st U1800 €70; 2nd U1800 €70; 1st U1600 €60; 2nd U1600 €60 |
| Additional non-cash awards | Best CEM player, best veteran, best age-group player, and leading women’s awards also receive trophies or sponsor gifts |
♟️ Sections / Groups
The tournament has one open section. Therefore, all players compete in the same field, while the rating prizes create additional targets for lower-rated participants.
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Open | Single FIDE-rated section |
📅 Schedule
The official round schedule is confirmed below.
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| August 24, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 1 |
| August 25, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 2 |
| August 26, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 3 |
| August 26, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 4 |
| August 27, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 5 |
| August 28, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 6 |
| August 29, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 7 |
| August 29, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 8 |
| August 30, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 9 |
📝 Registration
The official entry conditions and registration details are listed below.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Entry fee | €30 |
| Club member fee | €15 for CEM players |
| Titled players | Conditions on request |
| How to register | Bank transfer plus player details by email |
| IBAN | ES40 3159 0047 9623 7927 3028 |
| Registration contact | calabuigfernandez25@gmail.com |
| Phone | +34 607 154 928 |
| Confirmation rule | Registration is valid only after affirmative confirmation from the organizer |
| Eligibility | Spanish-flag federated players; players with another flag must have a FIDE code |
👤 Organizer
Club Escacs Montserrat organizes this long-running open in Montserrat and continues to support regular chess activity in the area. The club also runs local competition and community events during the year, which helps give this international open a stable local base.
Phone: +34 607 154 928
Email: calabuigfernandez25@gmail.com
📍 Venue
Casa de la Cultura de Montserrat, Carrer Dos de Maig 6, Montserrat, Valencia, Spain
The tournament takes place at the local cultural center in Montserrat. Moreover, the organizer notes that the venue offers free parking, which makes daily arrival easier for both local players and visitors.
🚗 How to Get There
Montserrat is southwest of Valencia, so most players will find it easiest to arrive by car. Since the venue offers free parking and sits in the town center, the event remains practical for players staying in Montserrat or nearby parts of the Valencia area.
It is a solid choice for players who want a classical FIDE-rated open in the Valencia region at the end of August.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $2,344
Organizer
♟️ Club Identity
Club Escacs Montserrat is a chess club and tournament organizer in Montserrat, Valencia, Spain. The club publicly presented its formation in November 2007. From the start, it aimed to give local players a stable place to meet, play, train, and enter official competition. The municipality supported those first steps by making space available for club activity. Later, the club moved to its current base on Carrer Alfredo García 30, where it still runs its day-to-day program. Today, that local base matters even more because the club has grown well beyond a small founding group. In 2026, it reported a record three teams in interclub competition. For players in Montserrat and the Vall dels Alcalans area, this is a real working club with regular over-the-board activity, a fixed venue, and a long competitive presence.
🏆 Tournament Activity
Tournament organization sits at the center of the club’s identity. Club Escacs Montserrat runs the long-standing Open Internacional Poble de Montserrat, which reached its 19th edition in 2026 and its 18th edition in 2025. The club also stages the Torneig Juvenil Montserrat, the Rapid d’Estiu, the Torneo de Invierno, the Torneig de Falles, and special events such as El Quince Rondas de Llorens. In addition, it has organized broader projects such as the Festival d’Escacs de Montserrat and local popular events in the Vall dels Alcalans. Its venue also appears as an official site for federation events, including provincial competitions and school-chess finals. That range gives the organizer a clear profile. It does not depend on one single annual open. Instead, it offers classical, rapid, blitz, youth, and community tournaments across the year.
🌱 Training and Community Activity
Beyond tournaments, Club Escacs Montserrat also invests in training and youth development. Its original presentation already placed teaching near the center of the project, with free beginner lessons and further courses for improving players. That work continued in later seasons through regular classes at the club and training support from titled players, including GM Alexis Cabrera. The youth side remains visible today. The club still promotes its cantera, runs annual under-18 events, and reports junior participation in provincial age-group competitions. In 2025, it also served as a host venue for the Final Provincial dels Jocs Esportius. Meanwhile, recent posts show younger players scoring well in FACV provincial events. For chess players and families, this matters. The club is not only a place to enter tournaments. It also helps new players learn the game, gives juniors a competitive path, and keeps local chess active between major events.
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