Chessence Open 2026 takes place from December 11 to December 13, 2026 at Sauerland Stern Hotel in Willingen (Upland), Germany. The weekend tournament features five rounds of classical chess in four rating-based groups: Chessence Masters and Premium Open A, B and C.
All four groups are submitted for DWZ rating. In addition, Chessence Masters, Premium Open A and Premium Open B are submitted for FIDE Elo rating. Players receive 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 15 minutes for the remainder of the game, with a 30-second increment from move one.
The organizer awards €240 in prizes in each group with at least six participants. If all four groups reach that minimum, the published combined prize allocation is €960 – approximately $1,120. A separate FIDE-rated Midnight Blitz Tournament is also scheduled for Saturday evening.
♟️ Event Details
| Event Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | December 11–13, 2026 |
| 🌍 City / Country | Willingen (Upland), Germany |
| 📍 Venue | Sauerland Stern Hotel – Kneippweg 1, 34508 Willingen (Upland), Germany |
| ♟️ Format | Classical |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 |
| 🧩 System | Swiss system |
| 👥 Groups | Chessence Masters, Premium Open A, Premium Open B, Premium Open C |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes for 40 moves + 15 minutes to finish + 30 seconds per move |
| 📊 DWZ Rating | All four groups |
| 🌐 FIDE Elo Rating | Masters, Premium Open A and Premium Open B |
| 💶 Entry Fee | €49 |
| ⚡ Side Event | FIDE-rated Midnight Blitz on December 12 |
| 👥 Organizer | Chessence |
Official Tournament & Registration Page:
https://kurse.chessence.de/turnier-anmeldung-5/
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
All four classical groups play five rounds using the Swiss system.
| Tournament Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| ⏱️ Initial Time | 90 minutes for 40 moves |
| ⏱️ Additional Time | 15 minutes for the remainder of the game |
| ➕ Increment | 30 seconds per move from move 1 |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 |
| 🧩 System | Swiss |
| 📊 DWZ Rating | All groups |
| 🌐 FIDE Elo Rating | Masters, Premium Open A and Premium Open B |
| ⌛ Default Time | 30 minutes |
The tournament is played according to the applicable FIDE Laws of Chess.
Players must arrive at their board no later than 30 minutes after the scheduled starting time. Otherwise, the game is recorded as a loss by forfeit.
⚖️ Tie-Breaks
The published ranking order begins with:
- Points
- Sonneborn-Berger
- Additional tie-break criteria if required
⏸️ Half-Point Bye
Players may request one half-point bye for Round 1.
The bye request must be submitted no later than:
December 10, 2026 at 20:00
A player who has requested a bye must still confirm participation by telephone shortly before the tournament during the published confirmation periods.
🏆 Prize Fund
The organizer guarantees prizes in every group with at least six participants.
Prizes in Each Qualifying Group
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | €120 |
| 🥈 2nd | €80 |
| 🥉 3rd | €40 |
| Total per Group | €240 |
The same prize structure applies to:
Chessence Masters · Premium Open A · Premium Open B · Premium Open C
If all four groups reach the minimum of six participants, the combined published prize allocation is €960.
Depending on the number of participants, Chessence may increase the prize money.
🧩 Sections / Groups
Four separate classical groups are planned.
👑 Chessence Masters
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🎯 Standard Eligibility | DWZ and/or FIDE Elo 2000+ |
| 🔄 Optional Entry | Available from DWZ/Elo 1950 on request |
| ⭐ Membership Route | Excellence members may enter |
| 📊 Rating | DWZ + FIDE Elo |
Players who are not Excellence members but have a DWZ and/or FIDE Elo of at least 1950 may choose between Premium Open A and Chessence Masters in the registration form.
🔵 Chessence Premium Open A
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🎯 DWZ Range | 1750–1999 |
| 📊 Rating | DWZ + FIDE Elo |
🟠 Chessence Premium Open B
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🎯 DWZ Range | 1500–1749 |
| 📊 Rating | DWZ + FIDE Elo |
🟢 Chessence Premium Open C
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🎯 DWZ Range | Below 1500 |
| 📊 Rating | DWZ |
Players are assigned to groups according to the ratings entered during registration.
If no DWZ or FIDE Elo is available, the Tournament Director determines the appropriate group.
The organizer aims for at least 10 participants per group. Therefore, the Tournament Director may adjust individual group assignments or combine groups if participation numbers make this necessary.
🆔 FIDE ID
A FIDE ID is required for players entering:
- Chessence Masters
- Premium Open A
- Premium Open B
Players without a FIDE ID are advised to apply for one at least two weeks before the tournament.
Premium Open C is submitted for DWZ rating but not FIDE Elo rating.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| December 10 | 19:00–20:00 | Personal or telephone participation confirmation |
| December 11 | 08:00–08:45 | Personal or telephone participation confirmation |
| December 11 | 09:30 | Round 1 |
| December 11 | 15:30 | Round 2 |
| December 12 | 09:00 | Round 3 |
| December 12 | 15:00 | Round 4 |
| December 12 | 21:00 | Midnight Blitz Tournament |
| December 13 | 09:00 | Round 5 |
| December 13 | 14:30 | Prize Ceremony |
Players must confirm their participation before the tournament. If confirmation is not received on time, participation in Round 1 cannot be guaranteed.
📝 Registration
Official registration is handled directly by Chessence.
Official Registration:
https://kurse.chessence.de/turnier-anmeldung-5/
Registration Conditions
| Registration Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 💶 Entry Fee | €49 |
| ⭐ Free Entry | Chessence Premium and Excellence members |
| ↩️ Refund Deadline | November 27, 2026 |
| 🌐 Online Registration Deadline | December 10, 2026 at 19:00 |
| 📞 Telephone Registration | From December 10 at 19:00 |
| ⏳ Final Entry Deadline | December 11, 2026 at 08:00 |
| ✉️ Questions | kontakt@chessence.de |
From December 10 at 19:00, new registrations can no longer be completed online and are accepted only by telephone.
Registration closes completely at:
December 11, 2026 at 08:00
This deadline should not be confused with the participation-confirmation period on Friday morning, which continues until 08:45.
♟️ Chess Club Membership
Players must belong to a chess club in order to participate.
Chessence specifically notes that players in Premium Open C who are not registered with a club at the start of the tournament cannot participate.
Players who need a club may apply to join SC Chessence 64 e.V. through the link provided on the official tournament page.
👥 Organizer
| Organizer Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 👥 Organizer | Chessence |
| ✉️ Email | kontakt@chessence.de |
| 🌐 Website | https://chessence.de/ |
For tournament questions, participants should contact:
The telephone number for last-minute registration and tournament-day contact will be displayed on the official registration page shortly before the tournament.
📍 Venue
Sauerland Stern Hotel – Kneippweg 1, 34508 Willingen (Upland), Germany
The tournament is held directly at the Sauerland Stern Hotel, a four-star hotel and conference venue in Willingen.
Players who use the official Chessence accommodation offer can therefore stay, eat and play at the same location.
🚆 How to Get There
Venue address: Sauerland Stern Hotel – Kneippweg 1, 34508 Willingen (Upland), Germany
| Travel Option | Route / Distance | Information |
|---|---|---|
| 🚗 By Car | Direct to hotel | Enter Kneippweg 1, 34508 Willingen (Upland) into the navigation system. |
| 🅿️ Parking | Hotel parking | Chessence tournament participants can park free of charge in 2026 and 2027, but the vehicle must be registered using the tournament QR code on the day of arrival. |
| 🚆 Willingen Station | Approx. 500 m | The closest railway station and the most convenient rail option for most players. |
| 🚆 Brilon-Wald Station | Approx. 5 km | Alternative regional railway station. |
| 🚄 Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe | Approx. 70 km | Major ICE station for longer-distance rail connections. |
| ✈️ Paderborn-Lippstadt Airport | Approx. 50 km | The closest major airport option listed by the hotel. Continue by taxi or other road transfer. |
| 🚕 Local Transfer | Station / airport → hotel | Taxi or pre-arranged local transfer can be used for the final journey. |
🅿️ Special Tournament Parking
The hotel’s regular parking areas became chargeable from July 15, 2026. However, Chessence has arranged special conditions for its tournament participants, who can park free of charge during the 2026 and 2027 Chessence events.
To activate free parking:
- Park the vehicle.
- Note the vehicle registration number.
- Scan the Chessence tournament QR code on the calendar day of arrival.
- Enter the licence plate number.
- Confirm the registration.
The QR code will be available at the tournament.
The parking authorization is valid for seven days.
ℹ️ Other Information
🏨 Official Tournament Accommodation
Chessence has arranged special full-board rates at the Sauerland Stern Hotel, which is also the playing venue.
A maximum allocation of 50 rooms is available under the tournament conditions.
| Accommodation | Tournament Rate |
|---|---|
| Single Room + Full Board | €140 per person / night |
| Double Room + Full Board | €120 per person / night |
| Tourist Tax – age 15+ | €3 per person / night |
| Day Guest Meal | €30 per person / meal |
The double-room tournament offer can only be booked for at least two people.
🍽️ Full-Board Package
The tournament accommodation package includes:
- Overnight stay and breakfast
- Lunch including soft drinks for 1.5 hours
- Dinner including beer, wine and soft drinks for 1.5 hours
📅 Hotel Booking Deadline
The online deadline for booking the tournament hotel through Chessence is:
November 29, 2026
The special allocation is limited to 50 rooms, so availability may end earlier if the quota is reached.
From November 30, the special tournament conditions and room availability can no longer be guaranteed.
Players who want accommodation without the full-board package, or who prefer another room category, may book directly with Sauerland Stern Hotel. In that case, they should select “No” for hotel booking in the Chessence tournament registration form.
🏨 Hotel Contact from November 30
Sandra Kurkowski
Phone: +49 5632 404953
Email: kurkowski@sauerland-stern-hotel.de
Hotel Website:
https://www.sauerland-stern-hotel.de/
⚡ Midnight Blitz Tournament
A separate Midnight Blitz Tournament is scheduled for:
Saturday, December 12 at 21:00
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 💶 Entry Fee | €5 |
| 🔢 Rounds | Up to 11 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 3 minutes + 2 seconds per move |
| 📊 Rating | FIDE Blitz |
| 🆔 FIDE ID | Required |
🔗 Official Links
Official Tournament & Registration Page:
https://kurse.chessence.de/turnier-anmeldung-5/
Chessence:
https://chessence.de/
Sauerland Stern Hotel:
https://www.sauerland-stern-hotel.de/
FIDE Ratings / FIDE ID Search:
https://ratings.fide.com/
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $1,120
Organizer
♟️ About Chessence
Chessence is a German chess school, training platform, and tournament organizer operated by Chessence GmbH and based in Marsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Grandmaster Niclas Huschenbeth founded Chessence in 2018 with the goal of providing structured chess education for players who want measurable improvement. Today, the organization describes itself as Germany’s largest online chess school and reports a community of more than 5,000 students.
Chessence combines digital chess education with live coaching and over-the-board competition. Its programs serve beginners, club players, ambitious tournament competitors, and players above 2000 Elo. Moreover, the organization works with experienced grandmasters, international masters, FIDE masters, and professional coaches to provide lessons covering openings, calculation, positional play, endgames, psychology, and practical game analysis.
Unlike a traditional local chess club, Chessence operates as a modern chess-education company with a nationwide and online community. However, practical tournament chess remains an important part of its training philosophy. Players can study systematically online and then test their progress in Chessence’s live tournaments, seminars, and training weekends.
🏆 Chessence Open and Live Tournaments
The Chessence Open has developed into the organization’s principal over-the-board tournament series.
Chessence regularly stages weekend tournaments at the Sauerland Stern Hotel in Willingen (Upland). These events use several rating-based sections so players can compete against opponents of comparable strength.
The standard format includes:
- Chessence Masters
- Chessence Premium Open A
- Chessence Premium Open B
- Chessence Premium Open C
All groups receive DWZ evaluation, while selected stronger sections also count for FIDE Elo. Furthermore, the organizer guarantees cash prizes when the minimum number of players enters a group.
The tournament weekends normally consist of five classical rounds from Friday through Sunday. In addition, Chessence often adds a Saturday-night blitz tournament and provides special hotel conditions for participants.
The series continues to expand in 2026. The 13th Chessence Open took place in June, followed by the 14th Chessence Open from August 28–30, 2026. The 15th Chessence Open is scheduled for December 11–13, 2026.
🎓 Chess Training and Player Development
Structured improvement forms the core of the Chessence concept.
The organization offers several training levels, beginning with programs for newcomers and continuing through advanced courses for strong club players. Its Chessence Masterclass provides a systematic training pathway with hundreds of hours of instructional material and thousands of exercises.
The Chessence Premium program adds regular live interaction. Members receive multiple group-training sessions each week, game analysis, webinars, workshops, seminars with Niclas Huschenbeth, and access to live tournaments.
For stronger players, Chessence Excellence focuses on competitors around and above 2000 Elo. The program includes advanced game analysis, opening preparation, calculation training, specialist coaching, and Elo-rated over-the-board tournaments.
Therefore, players can move through different training levels without leaving the same educational system. The combination of theory, exercises, coach feedback, and tournament practice creates a direct connection between learning and competitive performance.
👨🏫 Coaches and Chess Community
Chessence works with a broad group of experienced trainers.
Grandmaster Niclas Huschenbeth remains the central figure in the training program. However, the current coaching team also includes international masters and specialist trainers who provide live lessons, game analysis, webinars, and advanced preparation.
Chessence has featured training content from leading players and coaches including Elisabeth Pähtz, Karsten Müller, Christian Braun, Dirk Sebastian, Dirk Schuh, Steve Berger, Jakob Pajeken, and other experienced chess professionals.
The organization also maintains an active online community. Members interact through training sessions and digital platforms while participating in internal competitions and study groups.
The official Chessence Lichess team runs regular online rapid tournaments and provides another meeting point for members. Consequently, students can remain competitively active between live events.
♟️ SC Chessence 64 e.V.
Chessence’s tournament environment also connects players with SC Chessence 64 e.V.
German tournament regulations require participants in certain rated events to belong to an affiliated chess club. Therefore, Chessence Open participants who do not already have club membership can join SC Chessence 64 e.V. before the tournament.
This arrangement helps online students move into Germany’s official over-the-board chess structure. Moreover, it creates a practical bridge between digital chess training and federation-rated competition.
Chessence therefore operates across several complementary areas: commercial chess education through Chessence GmbH, online community activity, live seminars and tournaments, and access to organized club chess.
👤 Niclas Huschenbeth
Niclas Huschenbeth is the founder and one of the managing representatives of Chessence GmbH.
He became German Champion in 2010 at the age of 18 and won the national title again in 2019. Huschenbeth has held the Grandmaster title since 2012 and has represented Germany numerous times in international team competition.
His peak FIDE rating reached 2628, while his competitive career also includes a shared third-place finish at the 2019 European Individual Championship.
Beyond his own tournament career, Huschenbeth has worked as a professional coach and opening specialist. Most notably, he worked with elite Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura on opening preparation.
In 2018, Huschenbeth created Chessence to transform his coaching approach into a structured digital training system. Since then, the project has grown from an online course platform into a wider chess school offering coaching, seminars, memberships, community activities, and regular over-the-board tournaments.
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