2ème Open International de Calais takes place from October 24–29, 2026, in Calais, France. Players will compete in a 9-round classical open at the Grand Salon of Calais City Hall.
This is a chess tournament in Calais, France, in 2026. The event offers FIDE-rated classical chess and welcomes players with FFE affiliation or membership in another FIDE member federation.
The tournament combines a central venue, a compact six-day schedule, and confirmed main prizes. In addition, players can compete for category, Elo-band, and female prizes.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | 2ème Open International de Calais |
| 📅 Dates | October 24–29, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Calais, France |
| 🏛️ Venue | Grand Salon, Hôtel de Ville de Calais |
| 📌 Address | Place du Soldat Inconnu, 62100 Calais |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round classical open |
| 🔢 Pairing System | Accelerated Swiss system, Haley |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE-rated and FFE-approved |
| 👥 Player Limit | 200 players |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes per player + 30 seconds per move |
| 👨⚖️ Chief Arbiter | Philippe Blot, International Arbiter |
| 💰 Published Main Prizes | €2,100 / approx. USD 2,435 |
| 📝 Registration Closing | October 24, 2026, before Round 1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Players receive 90 minutes for the game, plus a 30-second increment from move one. They must record their moves throughout the game.
The organizer uses the accelerated Swiss Haley system for pairings. In addition, the regulations list Papi 3.3.8 as the pairing software.
Tie-breaks follow this order: Truncated Buchholz, Buchholz, and Performance. Also, players may agree to a draw only from move 20. However, the arbiter may allow an earlier draw agreement.
A player loses by default after a 30-minute delay, unless the arbiter decides otherwise.
💰 Prize Fund
The confirmed main prizes total €2,100, which equals approximately USD 2,435. The organizer also plans category prizes, Elo-band prizes, and a female prize.
Prize Fund Overview
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st place | €1,000 |
| 2nd place | €700 |
| 3rd place | €400 |
| Confirmed published main prizes | €2,100 / approx. USD 2,435 |
| Additional prizes | Category, Elo-band, and female prizes |
The main prizes depend on at least 100 registered players. Therefore, the organizer may adjust the amounts if fewer players enter.
The final prize list will appear before Round 3. Each player can win only one prize.
🧩 Sections / Groups
The event has one open tournament section. It welcomes players with an FFE license or affiliation with another FIDE member federation.
All players must have a FIDE ID. Therefore, foreign unrated players without a FIDE ID should arrange one through their federation before the tournament.
Each player may request one half-point bye. However, players can use this option only during Rounds 1–6. They must request the bye before the previous round ends.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, October 24 | 13:00–14:30 | Check-in |
| Saturday, October 24 | 15:00 | Round 1 |
| Sunday, October 25 | 09:30 | Round 2 |
| Sunday, October 25 | 15:00 | Round 3 |
| Monday, October 26 | 09:30 | Round 4 |
| Monday, October 26 | 15:00 | Round 5 |
| Tuesday, October 27 | 14:00 | Round 6 |
| Wednesday, October 28 | 09:30 | Round 7 |
| Wednesday, October 28 | 15:00 | Round 8 |
| Thursday, October 29 | 09:30 | Round 9 |
| Thursday, October 29 | 15:00 | Prize ceremony |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Method | Online pre-registration through ChessEvent |
| Player Limit | 200 players |
| Adult Entry Fee | €50 until October 18; €60 from October 19 |
| Youth Entry Fee | €25 until October 18; €30 from October 19 |
| Required Status | FFE license or affiliation with another FIDE member federation |
| FIDE ID | Required for all players |
| Payment Validation | Registration counts after the form and payment arrive |
| On-site Registration | Not available |
| Contact Email | pierre.warnault@gmail.com |
Players should register online before the deadline. In addition, they should complete payment early because the organizer validates entries only after payment.
👥 Organizer
Calais Passion Echecs organizes the tournament in partnership with the City of Calais. The event contact is Pierre Warnault.
Phone: +33 6 85 49 22 25
Email: pierre.warnault@gmail.com
🏛️ Venue
Grand Salon, Hôtel de Ville de Calais
Place du Soldat Inconnu, 62100 Calais, France
Players will compete in the Grand Salon of Calais City Hall. The central venue places the tournament close to hotels, restaurants, and city attractions.
Accommodation Notes
The organizer lists several accommodation options for players. These include Ibis Calais Nord, Hôtel Metropol, group lodging in Blériot-Plage, and a guest house near the playing hall.
Some options may offer special rates or discounts for tournament visitors. Therefore, players should check accommodation early and confirm availability before travel.
🚆 How to Get There
Players arriving by train can use Calais-Ville station. From there, they can continue toward Place du Soldat Inconnu and Calais City Hall.
The venue sits in the central city area. As a result, players can reach nearby hotels, restaurants, and visitor attractions without complicated local travel.
During the tournament week, visitors can also explore the seafront, the town hall belfry, the lighthouse, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Opal Coast.
2ème Open International de Calais offers a clear classical chess schedule, a central venue, and a practical playing format for local and international players.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $2,435
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Calais Passion Echecs is a chess club in Calais, Hauts-de-France, France. The club gives local players a regular place for over-the-board chess inside the Citadelle de Calais, at Stade du Souvenir. Its weekly activity supports beginners, improving players, youth members, and competitive club players.
The club welcomes players who want friendly games, training help, lessons, internal competition, and team chess. Regular sessions take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while younger players have a dedicated Saturday morning chess school. In addition, the club offers access to a chess library and practical exercises, which gives new players a structured way to improve.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
Calais Passion Echecs runs regular club chess activities throughout the season. Its program includes friendly games, internal tournaments, club championship play, training support, and team competition. The club also plays in the French interclub structure, with adult team activity in Nationale 3 and youth team activity at regional level.
The organizer has also developed a strong open tournament project in Calais. The Open International de Calais brings players to the Grand Salon of Calais City Hall for a multi-day classical tournament. The event uses nine Swiss-system rounds and a 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move time control. Therefore, it gives players a serious route into FIDE-rated chess in northern France.
Calais Passion Echecs also supports local and departmental chess activity. Its venue has hosted Pas-de-Calais events, youth-related competition, and rated tournament formats for licensed players. As a result, the club connects weekly local chess with broader competition across the Hauts-de-France chess scene.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Players who visit Calais Passion Echecs can expect a practical club setting with clear playing times, direct contact, and a stable venue inside the Citadelle de Calais. The club’s schedule gives adults and juniors separate entry points, while Saturday afternoon activity allows members to combine exercises, games, and tournament preparation.
The club’s youth chess school gives children a regular introduction to chess in a club environment. Young players can learn the rules, solve exercises, play training games, and then move toward team play or rated events. Meanwhile, adult players can use the club for casual games, analysis, internal tournaments, and league preparation.
For tournament visitors, Calais offers an attractive chess destination near the Channel coast. The Open International de Calais gives players a classical tournament in a central civic venue, while the club’s normal activity keeps chess in Calais active across the season. Overall, Calais Passion Echecs combines local training, youth development, team chess, and serious classical chess tournaments in one active club structure.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
