Chessfestival Groningen 2026 takes place from December 19 – 24, 2026, at Sportcentrum RUG & Hanze in Groningen, Netherlands. The main open tournament includes Open A, Open B, and Open C.
This is a chess tournament in Groningen, Netherlands, in 2026. Players will compete in 9-round Swiss tournaments with a classical time control.
The festival offers a strong international open, rating-based sections, additional side formats, and more than €9,950 in published prizes for the main Open A, B, and C tournaments. In addition, players can join compact groups, four-player groups, and the 50+ tournament during the wider festival program.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | Chessfestival Groningen 2026 |
| 📅 Dates | December 19 – 24, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Groningen, Netherlands |
| 🏛️ Venue | Sportcentrum RUG & Hanze – Blauwborgje 16, 9747 AC Groningen, Netherlands |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss tournaments |
| 🧩 Sections | Open A, Open B, Open C |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE-rated classical tournament |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes to finish, plus 30 seconds per move |
| 💰 Prize Fund | More than €9,950 for Open A/B/C / approx. over USD 11,580 |
| 📝 Online Registration Deadline | December 19, 2026, 12:00 |
| ⏳ Default Time | 30 minutes |
| 🎯 Additional Events | Four-player groups, Groningen Compact, and 50+ tournament |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Players receive 90 minutes for the first 40 moves. After that, they receive 30 minutes for the rest of the game. In addition, every move adds 30 seconds from move one.
Open A, Open B, and Open C use a 9-round Swiss system. Pairings follow rating-based Swiss rules. FIDE rating is the main reference for group placement. If a player has no FIDE rating, the organizer may use KNSB or another national rating.
The default time is 30 minutes. Therefore, players should arrive before the published start time and check pairings carefully before every round.
In Open A, every absence scores zero points. In Open B and Open C, players may request one half-point bye in Rounds 1–5. However, they must request it through the entry form or follow the organizer’s instructions before the relevant deadline.
💰 Prize Fund
The main Open A, Open B, and Open C tournaments offer more than €9,950 in published prizes, which equals approximately over USD 11,580.
Prize Fund Overview
| Prize Area | Amount |
|---|---|
| Open A | More than €8,000 |
| Open B | €1,150 |
| Open C | €800 |
| Total published Open A/B/C prizes | More than €9,950 / approx. over USD 11,580 |
Open A Main Prizes
| Place / Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | €2,500 |
| 2nd place | €1,500 |
| 3rd place | €1,000 |
| 4th place | €750 |
| 5th place | €500 |
| 6th place | €400 |
| 7th place | €300 |
| 8th place | €200 |
| 9th place | €150 |
| 10th place | €100 |
| Best female player | €400 |
| Best veteran player | €100 |
Open B and Open C
| Section | Prize Fund | First Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Open B | €1,150 | €600 |
| Open C | €800 | €400 |
The organizer may merge Open B and Open C if participation is too low. Therefore, players should check the final group structure before the tournament starts.
🧩 Sections / Groups
The main open tournament has three sections.
Open A is for players rated above 2100. It is the strongest section and offers the largest prize fund.
Open B is for players rated 1800–2150. This section gives strong club players a competitive 9-round tournament.
Open C is for players rated below 1850. It gives lower-rated and improving players a suitable section in the same festival setting.
The festival also includes other tournament formats. These include four-player groups, Groningen Compact, and a 50+ tournament. As a result, players can choose the format that best matches their schedule and playing goals.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, December 19 | 12:00 | Online registration deadline |
| Saturday, December 19 | 15:00 | Round 1 |
| Sunday, December 20 | 10:00 | Round 2 |
| Monday, December 21 | 10:00 | Round 3 |
| Monday, December 21 | 16:00 | Round 4 |
| Tuesday, December 22 | 10:00 | Round 5 |
| Tuesday, December 22 | 16:00 | Round 6 |
| Wednesday, December 23 | 10:00 | Round 7 |
| Wednesday, December 23 | 16:00 | Round 8 |
| Thursday, December 24 | 10:00 | Round 9 |
| Thursday, December 24 | 15:00 | Prize ceremony |
Players should plan carefully for the double-round days on December 21, 22, and 23. In addition, they should complete online registration before noon on December 19.
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Method | Online registration through the festival website |
| Online Registration Deadline | December 19, 2026, 12:00 |
| Payment Method | Online payment during registration |
| Open A Entry Fee before October 1 | €90 |
| Open A Entry Fee after October 1 | €100 |
| Open B Entry Fee before October 1 | €85 |
| Open B Entry Fee after October 1 | €95 |
| Open C Entry Fee before October 1 | €80 |
| Open C Entry Fee after October 1 | €90 |
| Free Entry in Open A | GM, IM, and WGM players |
| Dutch Players without KNSB Membership | Additional €12.50 |
| Tournament Email | info.chessfestival@gmail.com |
| Arbiter Email | arbiter.chessfestival@gmail.com |
Players should register online and pay during the registration process. Moreover, Dutch players who are not KNSB members should include the additional fee.
Players with questions about pairings should contact the arbiter team by email. For general festival questions, players can contact the tournament organization.
👥 Organizer
Chessfestival Groningen organizes the 2026 edition under the direction of Jan Derksen. The festival brings together the main open tournament, side events, live chess activity, and a broad playing program in Groningen.
Email: info.chessfestival@gmail.com
🏛️ Venue
Sportcentrum RUG & Hanze – Blauwborgje 16, 9747 AC Groningen, Netherlands
The tournament takes place at Sportcentrum RUG & Hanze in Groningen. The venue gives the festival a large sports-center setting and supports the full program of open groups and side events.
The playing site is located in the Zernike area. Therefore, players should allow enough time for local transport, parking, and walking to the correct playing hall.
🛏️ Accommodation
Festival participants can use hotel options in Groningen, including discounted accommodation arrangements listed through the tournament website.
The Martini Hotel in the city center is one listed option for chess players. Players should contact the hotel directly and mention the chess festival when booking.
Martini Hotel Phone: +31 50 312 9919
Martini Hotel Email: info@martinihotel.nl
🚆 How to Get There
Players should travel to Sportcentrum RUG & Hanze – Blauwborgje 16, 9747 AC Groningen, Netherlands.
Groningen has strong rail connections within the Netherlands. From Groningen station, players can continue toward the Zernike area by local bus, taxi, bicycle, or other local transport.
Drivers can use the full venue address for navigation. Parking is available in the Zernike area, including options near P2. In addition, P+R Reitdiep can serve as a free parking option close to the playing area.
ℹ️ Other Information
The wider Chessfestival Groningen program includes four-player groups, Groningen Compact, and the 50+ tournament. These events use separate schedules and entry conditions.
The four-player groups run from December 21–23. Groningen Compact and the 50+ tournament run from December 20–24.
Chessfestival Groningen 2026 offers a strong year-end chess event in the Netherlands, with 9-round open sections, a practical venue, and several extra tournament formats for different player groups.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $11,580
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Stichting Schaakfestival Groningen is a Dutch chess foundation based in Groningen, Netherlands. The foundation organizes Chessfestival Groningen, one of the city’s best-known annual over-the-board chess events. It brings together strong players, club competitors, amateur players, youth participants, and visitors who want a serious year-end chess tournament in the north of the Netherlands.
The foundation supports both top-level chess and broad participation. Its mission goes beyond one elite tournament. It creates space for players of different strengths, backgrounds, and ages. Therefore, the festival works well for grandmasters, ambitious club players, developing juniors, and casual chess enthusiasts.
Stichting Schaakfestival Groningen also connects chess with other mind sports and community activity. Its festival model includes several tournament formats, side events, live commentary, and public chess content. As a result, the organizer gives Groningen a clear place on the international chess map while keeping the event accessible for local and visiting players.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
Stichting Schaakfestival Groningen is best known for Chessfestival Groningen, a major international chess festival held in December. The event attracts players from the Netherlands and abroad, and it offers several formats during the same festival period. This gives participants more flexibility and helps them choose a tournament that fits their rating, schedule, and playing goals.
The main festival program includes Open A, Open B, and Open C sections. These groups give players a structured classical format with rating opportunities and clear competitive levels. In addition, the festival includes shorter formats such as Compact, Senior, and four-player group events. This broad structure makes the organizer useful for both serious tournament players and participants who prefer a lighter schedule.
The festival also offers live coverage, commentary, games, reports, photos, and media content. Moreover, the organizer works with a team of tournament officials, arbiters, recordkeepers, volunteers, and local partners. This gives players a professional event setting and helps the tournament run smoothly throughout the festival week.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Players who join Chessfestival Groningen can expect a well-structured and friendly chess environment. The festival combines rated classical chess with a strong social atmosphere. It also gives players access to a practical venue at Sportcentrum RUG & Hanze, which works well for a multi-section chess festival.
The organizer’s format suits many player types. Strong players can compete in the highest Open section. Club players can choose a rating-based group. Meanwhile, older players, juniors, and busy participants can use the shorter formats to enjoy the festival without a full tournament workload. Therefore, the event remains attractive to a wide chess audience.
For players searching for chess tournaments in the Netherlands, international chess in Groningen, or a reliable year-end chess festival, Stichting Schaakfestival Groningen offers a strong option. Its mix of classical chess, side events, live coverage, community activity, and inclusive tournament formats gives the organizer a distinctive role in Dutch chess.
