The XIII Torneio Internacional Cidade de Famalicão will take place from July 20 to 26, 2026, in Riba de Ave, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal. Players will compete in nine rounds of classical chess at the Didáxis Sports Complex.

The tournament is FIDE rated and offers opportunities to achieve GM and IM norms. Moreover, it forms part of the Portugal Chess Tour 2025/2026.

Following the revised regulations, the tournament now offers €8,000 / approx. $9,100 in cash prizes. The updated Saturday program features the Blitz Open at 17:00, followed by Round 8 at 20:00 on July 25.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament follows a nine-round Swiss system. Swiss-Manager will manage the pairings, standings, tie-break calculations, and final classification.

The tournament management may introduce accelerated pairings during the opening rounds if necessary.

Half-Point Byes

Non-invited players may request up to three half-point byes during the first five rounds.

Players must submit each request at least 24 hours before the relevant round. First-round bye requests must reach the organizer at least 24 hours before Round 1.

Tie-Break Criteria

🏆 Prize Fund

The tournament offers a confirmed cash prize fund of €8,000 / approx. $9,100. The revised regulations increase the original prize allocation by €2,000.

Prizes are cumulative. However, winners must attend the closing ceremony to receive their awards.

General / Open Prizes

Women’s Prizes

Senior and Veteran Prizes

Rating Prizes

Additional Awards

The organizer will also award prizes to the leading players in the age-group classifications and to the top team.

For the team classification, the organizer adds the scores of the four highest-placed players from each team.

If teams finish level, the position of their highest-placed individual player will decide the tie.

♟️ Sections / Groups

All participants compete in one international open tournament.

The event includes several additional prize classifications within the overall competition.

Participants must hold affiliation with the Portuguese Chess Federation for the 2025/2026 season.

📅 Schedule

The closing ceremony will begin approximately 15 minutes after the end of Round 9.

Players must confirm their presence at the venue before 19:45 on July 20, 2026. Otherwise, the organizer will not pair them for Round 1.

The organizer may adjust the schedule if a force majeure situation makes a change necessary.

📝 Registration

Players can register through the official tournament website or the online registration form.

Required Information

Applicants must provide the following details:

• Full name
• Telephone number and email address
• Date of birth and nationality
• Club
• FIDE ID and rating
• Proof of payment

Registration Fees

The regulations include June 29 in both the first and second registration periods. Therefore, players registering on that date should confirm the applicable fee with the organizer before paying.

Payment Details

The organizer must receive the full registration fee after all bank charges. Therefore, players must cover any transfer or payment expenses.

Players must email proof of payment to the tournament and attach it to the registration form. Registration becomes final only after the organizer confirms receipt of payment.

Cancellations and Refunds

Players who cancel before the end of the first registration period may receive a full refund. However, they must cover any related bank charges.

The organizer will not refund registration fees after the first registration deadline.

The organizer reserves the right to refuse a registration. Entries may also close early if the playing hall reaches its maximum capacity.

🏛️ Organizer

Clube de Xadrez A2D – Associação Académica da Didáxis organizes the XIII Torneio Internacional Cidade de Famalicão.

The organization works with several international, national, municipal, educational, and commercial partners. FIDE supports the event through the FIDE Open Aid Project – Freedom Holding Corp.

Further support comes from the Portuguese Chess Federation, Vila Nova de Famalicão City Council, Didáxis Teaching Cooperative, and Peixoto Rodrigues.

Together, these partners support a FIDE-rated international tournament with title-norm opportunities, nine rounds of classical chess, and an expanded €8,000 prize fund.

📍 Venue

Didáxis Sports Complex – Riba de Ave – Rua António Sérgio 188, 4765-909 Riba de Ave, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal.

The Didáxis Sports Complex will host all nine classical rounds, the Blitz Open, attendance confirmation, and the closing ceremony.

Players should arrive early on the opening day. Attendance confirmation closes at 19:45 on July 20, only 15 minutes before Round 1.

Venue on the Map

Hotels near the Venue

✈️ How to Get There

The venue is located in Riba de Ave, around 40 kilometres from Porto. The nearest major airport is Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO).

Nearest Railway Station

The closest practical railway stop is Lordelo station, on the Porto–Guimarães urban railway line.

From Lordelo, players should complete the final part of the journey by taxi or prearranged transfer.

Arrival on the First Day

Players travelling for Round 1 should allow extra time. Attendance confirmation closes at 19:45 on Monday, July 20, and Round 1 begins at 20:00.

Travel Advice

Public transport services may run less frequently during evenings, weekends, and holidays. Therefore, players should check the latest schedules before travelling and arrange the final transfer from Lordelo in advance.

ℹ️ Other Information

Playing-Area Rules

Appeals

Players may appeal a decision of the Chief Arbiter in writing, in Portuguese or English.

The appeal must reach the Appeals Committee within 30 minutes after the end of the round and requires a €100 deposit.

The organizer will return the deposit if the committee decides in favor of the player. Otherwise, the tournament organization will retain it.

The decision of the Appeals Committee is final.

Player Conduct

Players must wear appropriate clothing and behave correctly and sportingly throughout the tournament.

Photography, Video and Personal Data

By registering, participants authorize the organizer to use the information they provide, as well as tournament photographs and videos, for event communication and promotion.