11th International Chess Tournament of Anogeia “Idaion Andron”
11th International Chess Tournament of Anogeia “Idaion Andron” takes place from August 18 – 26, 2026, in Anogeia, Greece. This is a chess tournament in Anogeia, Greece, in 2026. The event offers a FIDE-rated 9-round Swiss tournament in three groups.
The tournament brings players to Anogeia, Crete, for a well-established summer chess tradition. It welcomes players from Greece and abroad, while the group structure helps participants compete at a suitable rating level. In addition, the event includes accommodation options for Groups A and B.
Anogia Chess Club and the Cultural & Athletic Association “Idaioi” organize the event. The Region of Crete and the Municipality of Anogia co-organize the tournament, which takes place on the ground floor of the Municipal Hostel in Anogeia.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | August 18 – 26, 2026 |
| 📍 City / Country | Anogeia, Greece |
| 🏠 Venue | Ground floor of the Municipal Hostel, Anogeia, Crete |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss tournament |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated |
| 📂 Groups | Group A, Group B, and Group C |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes to finish, with 30 seconds added per move from move one |
| 💰 Prize fund | €3,000 |
| 👥 Participation limit | Maximum 140 players |
| 🔗 Registration | https://chess-venue.vercel.app/tournaments/cmlt8kzh60005l8041yxiszu5/register |
| 🌐 More information | https://www.anogiachess.club |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a FIDE-rated 9-round Swiss system. Players must record their moves throughout the game.
Each player receives 90 minutes for the first 40 moves. After that, each player receives 30 minutes to finish the game, with a 30-second increment from move one.
The default time is 30 minutes after the start of each round. In addition, players may request byes by informing the arbiter no later than 10 minutes after the end of the previous round. No postponements are allowed.
The tie-break order is direct encounter, Buchholz Cut-1, Buchholz, number of wins, and number of games with Black.
🏆 Prize Fund
The total confirmed cash prize fund is €3,000 for Groups A and B. Prize money is shared in case of ties. Players eligible for more than one prize receive the highest prize only.
Group A Prizes
| Place / Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | Trophy + gold medal + €1,300 |
| 2nd place | Trophy + silver medal + €650 |
| 3rd place | Trophy + bronze medal + €250 |
| 4th–6th place | €100 each |
| Women 1st place | Trophy + gold medal + €100 |
| Women 2nd place | Silver medal |
| Women 3rd place | Bronze medal |
Group B Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | Trophy + gold medal + €250 |
| 2nd place | Trophy + silver medal + €100 |
| 3rd place | Trophy + bronze medal + €50 |
Special Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| U18 boys and girls | Trophies and medals |
| U14 boys and girls | Trophies and medals |
| U10 boys and girls | Trophies and medals |
📂 Sections / Groups
| Group | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Group A | Players with international Elo over 2100 |
| Group B | Players with international Elo under 2000 |
| Group C | Players without international Elo |
Players rated 2000–2099 may choose between Group A and Group B.
Group A has a maximum of 50 participants. The full tournament has a maximum capacity of 140 players, with entries accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 18, 2026 | Tuesday | 11:30–13:00 | Registration confirmation |
| August 18, 2026 | Tuesday | 14:00 | Pairings for Group A |
| August 18, 2026 | Tuesday | 16:30 | Opening ceremony |
| August 18, 2026 | Tuesday | 17:00 | Round 1 |
| August 19, 2026 | Wednesday | 17:00 | Round 2 |
| August 20, 2026 | Thursday | 17:00 | Round 3 |
| August 21, 2026 | Friday | 17:00 | Round 4 |
| August 22, 2026 | Saturday | 17:00 | Round 5 |
| August 23, 2026 | Sunday | 10:00 | Round 6 |
| August 24, 2026 | Monday | 17:00 | Round 7 |
| August 25, 2026 | Tuesday | 17:00 | Round 8 |
| August 26, 2026 | Wednesday | 10:00 | Round 9 |
| August 26, 2026 | Wednesday | 16:00 | Closing ceremony |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Online registration | https://chess-venue.vercel.app/tournaments/cmlt8kzh60005l8041yxiszu5/register |
| More information | https://www.anogiachess.club |
| anogiachess@gmail.com | |
| Required data | Full name, date of birth, national and FIDE rating, and chess club |
| Payment bank | Piraeus Bank |
| Account number | 6163 04 0030 989 |
| Account name | Anogia Chess Club |
| Payment reference | Participant’s full name |
| Participation limit | Maximum 140 players |
| Allocation rule | First-come, first-served basis |
Participation Fees
| Group / Player type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Group A, including accommodation | €300 |
| Group A, without accommodation | €120 |
| GM, IM, WGM, WIM in Group A | Free |
| Group B, including accommodation | €240 |
| Group B, without accommodation | €80 |
| Local players from Anogia | €30 |
| Group C, without accommodation | €25 |
👥 Organizer
Anogia Chess Club and the Cultural & Athletic Association “Idaioi” organize the 11th International Chess Tournament of Anogeia “Idaion Andron.” The Region of Crete and the Municipality of Anogia co-organize the event.
Email: anogiachess@gmail.com
Phone: +30 697 285 7752
📍 Venue
Ground floor of the Municipal Hostel, Anogeia, Crete, Greece
The tournament takes place in Anogeia, a mountain town in Crete with a strong cultural identity and a long-running summer chess tradition. The venue gives players a central tournament setting for nine rounds of classical chess and the closing ceremony.
🏨 Accommodation
The participation fee for Groups A and B can include accommodation for 9 nights in triple rooms. Accommodation is provided either at the Municipal Hostel of Anogeia or in hotel rooms with WC, air conditioning, refrigerator, TV, and Wi-Fi.
Priority for room allocation goes to Group A participants. The minimum room cost is €420, including options for accompanying persons or family rooms for four people.
🚆 How to Get There
Players can reach Anogeia by road from major towns and travel points in Crete. The venue is located at the Municipal Hostel in Anogeia, so players should plan their route directly to the town.
Visitors arriving from outside Crete can first travel to the island and then continue to Anogeia by car, taxi, or regional transport. Early planning is recommended because the event takes place during the summer travel season.
🧩 Other
Appeals must be submitted within 10 minutes after the end of the round. Each appeal requires a €100 fee, which will be refunded if the appeal is accepted.
A player who is paired but does not appear is considered withdrawn. By registering, participants also agree to photography and video recording for publication on official websites and social media.
Enjoy a memorable summer chess experience in Anogeia with rated games, mountain atmosphere, and a strong international chess tradition.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $3,500
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Anogia Chess Club is a chess club based in Anogeia, Rethymno, Crete, Greece. The club was founded in 2012 and operates locally as Σκακιστικός Όμιλος Ανωγείων. It works closely with the “Idaioi” Athletic and Cultural Association, which strengthens the connection between chess, local culture, and community life in Anogeia.
The club promotes over-the-board chess in Crete through regular activity, tournament organization, and a welcoming chess environment. Its work brings together local players, young learners, visiting competitors, and families who travel to Anogeia for summer chess events. As a result, Anogia Chess Club has become one of the most recognizable chess organizers in the mountain communities of Crete.
The club’s identity combines competitive chess with the atmosphere of Anogeia. Players come not only for rated games, but also for the local hospitality, mountain setting, and strong cultural character of the town. Therefore, the organizer offers a distinctive chess experience that differs from a standard city tournament.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
Anogia Chess Club is best known for the International Chess Tournament of Anogeia “Idaion Andron”. This tournament has developed into a regular summer event and attracts players from Greece and abroad. The 2026 edition runs from August 18 to 26 and uses a FIDE-rated 9-round Swiss format in three groups.
The organizer structures the event for different player levels. Group A serves stronger players with international Elo above 2100. Group B serves players below 2000, while Group C welcomes players without international Elo. In addition, players rated 2000–2099 may choose between Group A and Group B. This flexible format helps more players find a suitable competitive section.
The club also connects chess with youth development and local participation. Its events include prize categories for young players, while the club’s wider activity encourages learning, fair play, and long-term interest in chess. Moreover, the Anogeia tournament offers accommodation options for Groups A and B, which makes it easier for visiting players to stay in the area during the full event.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Players who join Anogia Chess Club events can expect a warm and community-focused chess atmosphere. The organizer values respect, friendship, learning, and fair play. This creates a positive setting for players of different ages and strengths.
The International Chess Tournament of Anogeia gives participants a full summer chess week in Crete. Players compete in classical games, meet opponents from different chess communities, and experience the local character of Anogeia. In addition, the event venue at the Municipal Hostel gives the tournament a practical central base in the town.
For players searching for chess tournaments in Greece, chess events in Crete, or a memorable summer chess tournament in a mountain setting, Anogia Chess Club offers a strong regional option. Its mix of FIDE-rated competition, youth-friendly activity, accommodation support, and local cultural identity gives the organizer a clear place in the Greek chess scene.
