4th Festival di Scacchi “Città di Caltanissetta”
4th Festival di Scacchi “Città di Caltanissetta” takes place on September 11–13, 2026, in Caltanissetta, Italy. The event offers three classical sections at Hotel Ventura, with 5 Swiss-system rounds and a confirmed net cash prize fund.
This is a chess tournament in Caltanissetta, Italy, in 2026. Players can compete in a FIDE-rated chess tournament with Open A, Open B, and Open C sections based on Elo rating.
The tournament has a compact weekend schedule, a clear rating structure, and cash prizes across all three sections. In addition, early online registration and bank transfer payment are required before the published deadline.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | 4th Festival di Scacchi “Città di Caltanissetta” |
| 📅 Dates | September 11–13, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Caltanissetta, Italy |
| 🏛️ Venue | Hotel Ventura, SS 640, Caltanissetta, Italy |
| ♟️ Format | Classical Swiss tournament with three sections |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE and Italian Elo-rated |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 rounds |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| 💰 Prize fund | €1,350 net, approximately $1,580 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The 4th Festival di Scacchi “Città di Caltanissetta” uses 5 rounds in three separate sections. Each player receives 90 minutes for the game, plus a 30-second increment from move one.
The event follows federal and FIDE rules. Therefore, players can expect a structured classical chess tournament with rating value and standard tournament procedures.
Tie-breaks follow this order: REP, Buchholz Total, Buchholz Cut 1, and Average Rating of Opponents.
Players may request one half-point bye before the tournament starts. However, the bye cannot apply in the last two rounds. The default time is 30 minutes from the start of the round.
💰 Prize Fund
The confirmed net cash prize fund is €1,350, approximately $1,580. Cups and non-cash awards are not included in the cash total.
Open-A Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | €300 + Cup |
| 2nd place | €220 + Cup |
| 3rd place | €160 + Cup |
| Best U16 player | €50 + Cup |
Open-B Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | €170 + Cup |
| 2nd place | €140 + Cup |
| 3rd place | €100 + Cup |
| Best U16 player | €50 + Cup |
Open-C Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | €70 + Cup |
| 2nd place | €50 + Cup |
| 3rd place | €40 + Cup |
Non-Cash Awards
| Section | Awards |
|---|---|
| Open B | Best player over 60 and best female player receive cups |
| Open C | Best U18, U12, NC, over 60, and female players receive cups |
🧩 Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Open A | Players rated above 1700 Elo |
| Open B | Players rated below 1800 and above 1500 Elo |
| Open C | Players rated below 1600 Elo |
The three-section structure gives players a suitable competitive field by rating level. As a result, players should choose their section carefully during pre-registration.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, September 11, 2026 | 14:00–15:00 | Registration |
| Friday, September 11, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 1 |
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 09:30 | Round 2 |
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 15:30 | Round 3 |
| Sunday, September 13, 2026 | 09:30 | Round 4 |
| Sunday, September 13, 2026 | 15:30 | Round 5 |
| Sunday, September 13, 2026 | 19:30 | Award ceremony |
📝 Registration
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Open A entry fee | €50 |
| Open B entry fee | €40 |
| Open C entry fee | €30 |
| Free entry | Titled players |
| Discount | €5 discount for ASD L’Alfiere members and U16 players in Open A and Open B |
| Pre-registration deadline | September 4, 2026 |
| Pre-registration platform | https://vesus.org |
| Payment recipient | ASD L’Alfiere |
| IBAN | IT72S01030167010000004720615 |
| Bank | Monte dei Paschi di Siena |
| Payment address | Via A. De Gasperi 34/B, Caltanissetta |
| Information email | ascdalfiere@tiscali.it |
| Information phone | +39 338 776 1449 |
| Information phone 2 | +39 348 857 3497 |
Players must pre-register on Vesus and pay by bank transfer before the deadline. In addition, the registration confirms acceptance of the tournament regulations.
🏛️ Organizer
A.S.D. L’Alfiere organizes the 4th Festival di Scacchi “Città di Caltanissetta” with the support of the Italian Chess Federation and the Sicilian Chess Committee. The event brings players to central Sicily for a compact rated chess weekend with three rating sections, clear prizes, and a practical hotel venue.
Email: ascdalfiere@tiscali.it
Phone: +39 338 776 1449
📍 Venue
Hotel Ventura, SS 640, Caltanissetta, Italy
The tournament takes place at Hotel Ventura in Caltanissetta. Players should use the hotel name and SS 640 location for navigation and arrive early enough for the Friday registration period.
🚆 How to Get There
Players should use Hotel Ventura, SS 640, Caltanissetta, as the main navigation point.
Caltanissetta sits in central Sicily. Players can reach the city by car, regional transport, taxi, or local connections from other Sicilian cities. Since Round 1 starts on Friday afternoon, participants should allow enough time for travel, registration, and preparation.
ℹ️ Other Information
The organizer may make changes required for the smooth running of the tournament.
By entering the event, players accept the publication or distribution of tournament images in print, social media, and other communication channels.
For any matter not covered by the tournament notice, federal and FIDE regulations apply.
The 4th Festival di Scacchi “Città di Caltanissetta” offers a focused rated chess weekend with cash prizes, three sections, and a welcoming Sicilian tournament setting.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $1,580
Organizer
♟️ Club Identity
A.S.D. L’Alfiere is a chess association in Caltanissetta, Sicily, Italy. The club gives local players a stable chess base at the Dopolavoro Ferroviario on Via Alcide De Gasperi. It brings together juniors, adult players, returning competitors, and casual chess fans who want regular over-the-board activity in central Sicily. The association has operated within the Italian sports and chess framework since 2018 and focuses on chess as both a competitive sport and a community activity. Its president, Angelo Calamera, leads the club’s public tournament work and appears as the main reference point for player communication. In addition, the club keeps an active presence through social media, where it shares tournament news, results, photos, and updates for the Caltanissetta chess community.
🏆 Tournament Activity
A.S.D. L’Alfiere organizes the Festival di Scacchi “Città di Caltanissetta”, a FIDE-rated tournament that has become one of the club’s main annual events. The 2026 edition is the fourth festival and takes place at Hotel Ventura in Caltanissetta. It includes three rating-based sections, five rounds, classical time control, and prize categories for different player groups. The club also runs local tournaments throughout the year, including Easter and Christmas events, Grand Prix stages, social competitions, and open community tournaments. These events attract players from Caltanissetta, nearby Sicilian provinces, and other parts of the island. Therefore, the club gives players a practical route from local club chess to rated tournament play. Its calendar supports beginners, improving players, juniors, women players, and experienced competitors who want regular chess activity in Sicily.
🌱 Youth Chess and Community Activity
A.S.D. L’Alfiere supports youth chess and community chess through courses, club meetings, and events open to different ages and playing levels. The club’s Saturday activity at the Dopolavoro Ferroviario gives children and adults a regular place to learn, practice, and meet other chess players. Young members also take part in Sicilian youth competitions, regional events, and age-group tournaments. In addition, the club promotes chess through public events, local collaborations, and accessible tournaments that welcome new players. Its community work helps make chess more visible in Caltanissetta and creates a friendly entry point for families. As a result, A.S.D. L’Alfiere plays an important role in the chess life of central Sicily. It combines training, competition, and social participation in one active local chess environment.
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