
ZÜRICHSee – October Festival 2026 – Amateur General Open
ZÜRICHSee – October Festival 2026 – Amateur General Open will take place from October 2-4, 2026, in Pfäffikon (SZ), Switzerland. This is a chess tournament in Pfäffikon (SZ), Switzerland, in 2026.
The event offers a FIDE-rated classical chess tournament for amateur players with a maximum FIDE standard rating of 2399. It uses a compact 5-round Swiss-system format over one weekend.
The tournament suits club players, improving amateurs, youth players, coaches, and visitors who want rated classical games near Lake Zurich. In addition, the event includes a published prize structure with main prizes and rating-category prizes.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏷️ Tournament | ZÜRICHSee – October Festival 2026 – Amateur General Open |
| 📅 Dates | October 2–4, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Pfäffikon (SZ), Switzerland |
| 🏨 Venue | Hotel Seedamm Plaza, Seedammstrasse 3, CH-8808 Pfäffikon (SZ), Switzerland |
| ♟️ Format | Classical amateur open tournament |
| 🌍 Rating | FIDE Standard rated and national rated |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 |
| 🧩 Pairing system | Swiss system |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| 👥 Eligibility | Amateur General Open, maximum 2399 FIDE standard rating |
| 🧑⚖️ Chief arbiter | IA Tiziana Balzarini |
| 💶 Entry fee | CHF 100; U16, IM, and GM players: CHF 90 |
| 🏆 Cash prizes | CHF 3,780, approximately US$4,650 |
| 🎁 Additional prizes | Swiss Chess Tour voucher prizes listed for W/S/U16 categories |
| ♟️ Chess-Results | Tournament listing available |
| 🏛️ Organizer | Swiss Chess Tour |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The main open uses a classical time control of 90 minutes per player, plus a 30-second increment per move. Therefore, players receive enough time for full-game calculation and serious tournament play.
Pairings follow the Swiss system across 5 rounds. The event counts for FIDE Standard rating and national rating, and Swiss-Manager supports the pairing process.
The first technical tie-break is total Buchholz. The tournament material contains inconsistent bye-round wording, so players should confirm bye requests directly during registration.
🏆 Prize Fund
The confirmed cash prize list totals CHF 3,780, approximately US$4,650. The published prize value reaches CHF 4,080 when the additional Swiss Chess Tour voucher prizes are included.
| Prize Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st place | CHF 800 |
| 2nd place | CHF 600 |
| 3rd place | CHF 400 |
| 4th place | CHF 300 |
| 5th place | CHF 200 |
| FIDE 2000–2199, 1st place | CHF 150 |
| FIDE 2000–2199, 2nd place | CHF 120 |
| FIDE 2000–2199, 3rd place | CHF 100 |
| FIDE 1800–1999, 1st place | CHF 150 |
| FIDE 1800–1999, 2nd place | CHF 120 |
| FIDE 1800–1999, 3rd place | CHF 100 |
| FIDE 1600–1799, 1st place | CHF 150 |
| FIDE 1600–1799, 2nd place | CHF 120 |
| FIDE 1600–1799, 3rd place | CHF 100 |
| FIDE under 1600, 1st place | CHF 150 |
| FIDE under 1600, 2nd place | CHF 120 |
| FIDE under 1600, 3rd place | CHF 100 |
| W/S/U16 voucher prizes | Swiss Chess Tour voucher CHF 100 |
First category prizes require at least 3 eligible players. Second category prizes require at least 5 eligible players. Third category prizes require at least 8 eligible players.
👥 Sections / Groups
Amateur General Open
The main tournament is an Amateur General Open for players with a maximum FIDE standard rating of 2399. All players compete in one 5-round Swiss-system event.
Rating Prize Groups
Rating prizes cover four FIDE rating groups: 2000–2199, 1800–1999, 1600–1799, and under 1600. The event also lists Swiss Chess Tour voucher prizes for W/S/U16 categories, with a minimum of 3 eligible players required.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|
| October 2, 2026 | 18:00–19:30 | Player check-in |
| October 2, 2026 | 20:00 | Round 1 |
| October 3, 2026 | 09:30 | Round 2 |
| October 3, 2026 | 15:00 | Round 3 |
| October 4, 2026 | 09:00 | Round 4 |
| October 4, 2026 | 14:00 | Round 5 |
| October 4, 2026 | After Round 5 | Awards |
📝 Registration
| Registration Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Registration method | Online registration through Swiss Chess Tour |
| Entry fee | CHF 100 |
| Reduced entry fee | U16, IM, and GM players: CHF 90 |
| On-site check-in | October 2, 2026, from 18:00 to 19:30 |
| Rating limit | Maximum 2399 FIDE standard rating |
| Prize condition | Published prize value applies from 70 players or pro rata |
🏛️ Organizer
Organizer: Swiss Chess Tour
Swiss Chess Tour organizes the ZÜRICHSee – October Festival 2026 Amateur General Open in Pfäffikon (SZ). The event gives amateur players a rated classical weekend tournament with a clear schedule, published prizes, and a strong playing venue near Lake Zurich.
📍 Venue
Hotel Seedamm Plaza, Seedammstrasse 3, CH-8808 Pfäffikon (SZ), Switzerland
The tournament will take place at Hotel Seedamm Plaza in Pfäffikon (SZ). Players should use the full venue address for map navigation and arrive in time for the Friday evening check-in before round 1.
🚆 How to Get There
Players and visitors can travel directly to Hotel Seedamm Plaza at Seedammstrasse 3 in Pfäffikon (SZ). The venue address gives a clear arrival point for local players, families, and international visitors attending the weekend tournament.
Overall, this event gives amateur players a focused opportunity to play a FIDE-rated classical chess tournament in Pfäffikon (SZ).
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $4,650
Date And Time
04-10-2026
Event Types
Event Category
Event Tags
- Google Calendar
- iCalendar
- Outlook 365
- Outlook Live
Share With Friends
Flights to the Tournament
Search routes, compare options and travel to the tournament.
Train & Bus Tickets
Daily Chess Puzzle
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
SWISS CHESS TOUR is a Swiss chess tournament organizer led by Claudio Boschetti and based in Melano Val Mara, Ticino, Switzerland. The project focuses on over-the-board chess events in Switzerland and has built a clear identity around tournaments in attractive Swiss destinations. Its calendar connects mountain resorts, lakeside venues, city hotels, and weekend chess formats across several regions.
The organizer works as a touring chess brand rather than a single local chess club. This gives players a consistent event structure in many Swiss locations. In practice, participants can follow the same organizer from one tournament to another while enjoying different venues, formats, and travel settings.
SWISS CHESS TOUR is especially useful for players who want well-planned chess trips. The events often combine FIDE-rated play with hotel venues, compact schedules, and practical accommodation options. Therefore, the organizer serves club players, amateur competitors, older players, juniors, and traveling chess enthusiasts who want reliable tournament conditions in Switzerland.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
SWISS CHESS TOUR organizes a broad tournament program throughout the year. Its activity includes classical opens, amateur tournaments, senior events, weekend festivals, and compact 2Days formats. The calendar regularly features events in places such as Basel, Davos, Flims, Lenzerheide, Lugano, Mendrisio, Serpiano, Stein am Rhein, Schaffhausen, and the Zürichsee area.
The organizer is also connected with important Swiss chess events. These include the Bundesturnier, which gives Swiss and international players a structured multi-section tournament with classical games and official rating opportunities. In addition, SWISS CHESS TOUR runs many accessible weekend events, which help busy players add serious chess to a short trip.
This variety gives the organizer a strong national role. Players can choose between longer festivals, weekend opens, senior-friendly tournaments, and rating-based amateur sections. Moreover, many events use hotel venues, clear schedules, and experienced arbiters. As a result, SWISS CHESS TOUR offers a practical route into chess tournaments in Switzerland for many types of players.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Players who join SWISS CHESS TOUR events can expect a travel-friendly and professionally managed chess environment. The organizer often selects venues that work well for both chess and tourism. This approach helps participants combine competitive games with a pleasant stay in Switzerland.
The tournament formats also suit different chess goals. Strong players can look for serious classical competition. Amateur players can choose rating-based sections. Older players can join events designed around a comfortable rhythm. Meanwhile, weekend formats give working players a realistic way to compete without taking a long break.
For players searching for Swiss chess tournaments, FIDE-rated events, or chess weekends in scenic locations, SWISS CHESS TOUR offers a reliable and recognizable option. Its mix of regular events, established venues, practical formats, and experienced organization gives it a clear place in the Swiss tournament scene.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
Related Events
34th Martigny Chess Tournament 2026
Mendrisio Lake Summer Open & Blitz 2026
Zürcher Jugendschachkönig 2026
9. Oberländische Meisterschaft 2026
San Bernardino 2Days Swiss Alpine Open 2027