The Fagernes International Autumn 2026 takes place from October 3–11, 2026, at Scandic Valdres in Fagernes, Norway. The international festival features two 10-round classical tournaments: the GM Swiss Group and the Open Swiss Group.

Both groups are FIDE rated and use the same classical time control. The GM Swiss is designed to provide strong title-norm opportunities, while the Open Swiss welcomes tournament players of all ratings.

The tournament offers at least €9,200 in guaranteed cash prizes – approximately $10,760, plus book prizes. In addition, the program includes Teamtalkingchess, Fagernes Slow Blitz, and Fagernes Blitz.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Both main tournaments consist of 10 Swiss-system rounds over nine days.

♚ GM Swiss Group

The 10-round format gives norm candidates additional flexibility. Depending on the player’s results and opponents, a title norm may be possible over games 1–9 or 1–10, and in some circumstances over games 2–10.

♟️ Open Swiss Group

🌓 Half-Point Walk-Over Draws

Players in both groups may request up to two half-point walk-over draws.

These are available only in Rounds 1–8 and must receive organizer approval before Round 1.

A half-point walk-over in Round 8 is possible only if the player cannot receive a cash prize.

⌛ Late Arrival

The normal walk-over deadline is 60 minutes after the scheduled start of the round.

However, the arbiter may extend that deadline in extraordinary circumstances.

🏆 Prize Fund

The tournament currently guarantees at least €9,200 in cash prizes – approximately $10,760.

The organizer may increase or extend the prize list if tournament finances allow.

Players who finish on equal points share the applicable prizes equally.

🥇 GM Swiss – Overall Prizes

Players finishing within the top 15 who do not receive one of the listed cash prizes can receive book prizes.

👩 GM Swiss – Women’s Prizes

The rating-performance prize requires at least seven games.

The first two women’s prizes are shared in the event of equal points. A player who wins one of those prizes may also win the women’s rating-performance prize.

👴 GM Swiss – Veteran Prizes

Players born in 1976 or earlier qualify for the veteran prizes.

The rating-performance prize requires at least seven games.

The same player may win both veteran prizes.

♟️ Open Swiss – Overall Prizes

⭐ Open Swiss – Additional Prizes

These additional prizes are shared in case of equal points.

♟️ Sections / Groups

♚ GM Swiss Group

The GM Swiss Group is open to players who meet at least one of the following conditions:

• Hold an official FIDE title of GM, IM, FM, WGM, WIM, or WFM
• Have an official FIDE rating of 2000 or higher
• Female players with an official FIDE rating of 1900 or higher
• Finish in the top three of the Open Group in either of the two most recent Fagernes tournaments

A player who met the required rating when registering remains eligible even if the rating falls below the threshold on the final FIDE list before the tournament.

A small number of players slightly below the official rating requirement may also be admitted. Such players must submit a written application to the organizer by September 19, 2026.

♟️ Open Swiss Group

The Open Swiss Group is open to all tournament players regardless of Elo rating.

It consists of 10 FIDE-rated Swiss rounds and also forms part of the Norges Grand Prix 2026–2027.

📅 Schedule

All times are local time in Fagernes, Norway.

♟️ Main Tournament

The published end times for the main rounds are approximate because games may finish before or after the estimated six-hour playing window.

🎭 Side Events

🤝 Teamtalkingchess

Teamtalkingchess is a Norwegian team rapid-chess format played over six boards.

Teams may have no more than four players, and teammates are allowed to communicate and switch games during the match.

⚡ Fagernes Slow Blitz

The tournament also counts toward the Norges Grand Prix 2026–2027.

⚡ Fagernes Blitz

The blitz tournament also counts toward the Norges Grand Prix 2026–2027.

📝 Registration

The main registration deadline for both groups is September 19, 2026.

Later registrations may still be accepted if space and tournament conditions allow.

For registration and tournament information, contact:

Hans Olav Lahlum
Email: hansolahlum@gmail.com
Phone: +47 95 75 82 86

💵 GM Swiss Entry Fees

💵 Open Swiss Entry Fees

Entry fees are determined according to the October 2026 FIDE rating list.

However, titles officially confirmed later by FIDE will also be accepted for entry-fee purposes.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Discount

Chess-playing families with at least three participating players receive a family discount.

The organizer does not publish a fixed discount amount, so eligible families should contact the organizer directly.

👤 Organizer

📍 Venue

Scandic Valdres – Jernbanevegen 26, 2900 Fagernes, Norway

Scandic Valdres is a large hotel and conference center in the center of Fagernes. The tournament organizer uses the hotel both as the playing venue and the principal accommodation option.

The hotel provides conference facilities, restaurant services, free Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, sauna, gym, and other guest facilities.

During tournament rounds, players receive free water and coffee.

Hotel Website:
https://www.scandichotels.com/en/hotels/scandic-valdres

🚗 How to Get There

Fagernes is approximately 187 km north of Oslo.

The organizer provides a dedicated transfer option between Oslo Airport Gardermoen and Fagernes.

Players interested in the organizer’s airport transfer should arrange it directly with Hans Olav Lahlum.

ℹ️ Other Information

🏨 Official Tournament Accommodation

Scandic Valdres offers special chess rates for the tournament period October 3–11, 2026.

All published rates are per person, per night.

🍳 Accommodation with Breakfast

🍽️ Accommodation with Full Board

Full board includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

🔑 Accommodation Booking

To receive the special chess rates, accommodation must be booked through the tournament organizer, not directly through the hotel’s normal reservation system.

Accommodation Booking: hansolahlum@gmail.com

The organizer recommended booking accommodation by August 22, 2026. Since that date has passed, players should contact the organizer directly to confirm remaining availability at the chess rates.

The hotel provides free wireless internet.

📡 Live Games

All games from the GM Swiss Group will be broadcast live.

In addition, the organizer plans to broadcast at least 10 games from the Open Swiss Group.

🧑‍⚖️ Arbiters

📵 Electronic Devices

Players and spectators may not bring mobile phones, computers, or other electronic devices into the playing venue without prior permission from the arbiters.

A player found with an unauthorized electronic device after the game has started receives a red card and loses the game.

Players who arrive with a mobile phone may hand it to the arbiters before the round. The phone will be switched off and stored in a sealed envelope until the player leaves the playing area after the game.

The organizer recommends leaving electronic devices in the hotel room or other accommodation whenever possible.

🚫 Alcohol

Alcohol is not permitted inside the playing venue during playing sessions.

📷 Photography

Photography using flash or sound is permitted only during the first 10 minutes of a round, or for five minutes after both players have arrived.

📝 Scoresheets & Board

After each game, both players must:

• Sign both scoresheets
• Return the pieces to their starting positions
• Leave the copy of the scoresheet beside the board

Players may keep the original part of their scoresheet.

⚖️ Disputes

If a dispute or possible irregularity occurs, players should stop the clock and immediately call an arbiter.

Players who notice a possible irregularity in another game should inform an arbiter but must not interfere directly.

🟨 Yellow & Red Card System

The tournament uses a yellow-card and red-card system for serious behavioral or rule violations.

A yellow card serves as a formal warning.

A red card results in loss of the game and may also lead to removal from the playing venue or expulsion from the tournament.

Serious violations may also be reported to FIDE and the player’s national federation.

🤝 Sportsmanship

Shaking hands before and after a game is recommended but not mandatory.

Prearranged results connected to money, favors, or future agreements are prohibited and can lead to exclusion from the tournament and reports to FIDE or the player’s federation.