2nd International Pamukkale Open Chess Tournament 2026 takes place from July 13-19, 2026, in Pamukkale, Denizli, Turkey. The tournament is organized by Denizli Metropolitan Municipality and the Turkish Chess Federation. Chess enthusiasts from around the world are looking forward to the 2th International Pamukkale Open Chess Tournament 2026.

This is a chess tournament in Pamukkale, Turkey, in 2026. Players will compete in four rating categories, with 9 rounds in each section and a classical time control.

The event offers a major international open format, a total prize fund of ₺1,400,000, and rating opportunities for both international and national players. In addition, the schedule includes a blitz tournament during the chess week.

♟️ Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Players receive 90 minutes for the game, plus a 30-second increment from move one. This time control applies to all four categories.

Categories A, B, and C use a 9-round Swiss system. In these Elo categories, the first three rounds use the Baku Accelerated System. Category D also uses a 9-round Swiss system.

The organizer uses Swiss Manager for pairings. In addition, the starting rank list uses each player’s higher rating between national rating and Elo on the registration verification day.

Tie-breaks follow this order: direct encounter, Buchholz-1, Sonneborn-Berger, average of opponents’ Buchholz, number of wins, and drawing of lots.

Players may offer draws without a move-number restriction. However, they should still follow the arbiter’s instructions and the FIDE Laws of Chess throughout the event.

💰 Prize Fund

The tournament offers a total published prize fund of ₺1,400,000, which equals approximately USD 30,400.

Prize Fund Overview

The organizer awards prizes according to the final ranking. Prizes are not shared. In addition, players receive all prizes they earn under the published prize rules.

The top three players in each category receive trophies, and prize winners receive medals. Also, the top three sports clubs in each category receive trophies based on the average score of their best three club players.

Players who leave the tournament or forfeit in the last round cannot claim a prize. Moreover, players should attend the closing ceremony unless the tournament director allows an exception.

🧩 Sections / Groups

The tournament has four categories.

Category A is open to players with Elo 2000 or higher. Players without Elo may also enter if their national rating is 2000 or higher.

Category B is open to players rated 1700–1999 by Elo. Players without Elo may enter this category if their national rating is 1700–1999.

Category C is open to players rated 1400–1699 by Elo. Players without Elo may enter if their national rating is 1400–1699. In addition, foreign players without Elo may play in Category C.

Category D is open to Turkish players with a national rating of 1399 or lower. It also accepts players without a national rating.

Players born in 2019 or earlier may enter if they meet the license and rating conditions. Turkish players need a valid Turkish Chess Federation license for the 2025–2026 season. Meanwhile, foreign players need a valid FIDE ID from their national federation.

📅 Schedule

Players should complete registration verification on time on July 13. If a player arrives after the verification deadline, the organizer may add that player to the end of the first-round pairing list.

A player who arrives after Round 1 starts may still join the player list for Round 2. However, the organizer will not accept new players after the Round 2 pairings appear.

📝 Registration

Players must provide complete and correct information during registration. Therefore, they should check their name, rating details, federation information, and category before submitting the form.

The entry fee is not refundable if a registered player does not participate. In addition, late applications or applications made through incorrect methods will not be accepted.

👥 Organizer

Denizli Metropolitan Municipality and the Turkish Chess Federation organize the 2nd International Pamukkale Open Chess Tournament. The event uses the official Turkish Chess Federation tournament framework and follows FIDE Laws of Chess.

Phone: +90 530 770 65 20
Email: pamukkaleopen@gmail.com

🏛️ Venue

Denizli Metropolitan Municipality Congress and Culture Center
İncilipınar, 3385. Sk. No:2, 20100 Pamukkale/Denizli, Turkey

The tournament takes place in the halls of the Denizli Metropolitan Municipality Congress and Culture Center. The venue gives players a large event setting in Pamukkale, one of Turkey’s best-known visitor destinations.

Since all main categories use the same venue, players can plan their tournament week around one central playing site. In addition, the schedule gives players useful free time between some rounds.

🚆 How to Get There

Players traveling by air can use Denizli Çardak Airport and continue to Pamukkale or central Denizli by shuttle, taxi, or private transfer. However, they should check local transfer times before booking flights.

Players arriving by intercity bus can travel to Denizli Bus Terminal. From there, they can continue toward the Congress and Culture Center by local transport or taxi.

Drivers should plan their route to İncilipınar, 3385. Sk. No:2 in Pamukkale. The venue sits within the Denizli metropolitan area, so players can also arrange accommodation in Pamukkale or central Denizli.

ℹ️ Other Information

The tournament follows Turkish Chess Federation competition rules and FIDE Laws of Chess. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the chief arbiter within 15 minutes after the current round ends.

The appeal deposit fee is ₺1,250. Also, the Appeal Committee will be announced at the technical meeting.

GM, IM, WGM, and WIM players may send free accommodation requests to the organization. The organizer reviews these requests individually.

2nd International Pamukkale Open Chess Tournament 2026 gives players a full chess week in Denizli, with four rating categories, classical games, a major prize fund, and a practical international open structure.