Nordestão 2026 – Machado de Assis Memorial
Nordestão 2026 – Machado de Assis Memorial will take place from August 21–23, 2026 at Littoral Hotel in João Pessoa, Brazil. The six-round open serves as the Northeast Regional Championship and also determines the 2026 Paraíba classical champion.
Moreover, the tournament uses a six-round Swiss system. The primary control is 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment; analog-clock games may use 120 minutes knockout. The event counts for FIDE and CBX ratings.
In addition, the regulations also provide national lifetime-title opportunities and special regional awards. The total prize fund is R$12,200 / approx. $2,370.
Meanwhile, Littoral Hotel stands directly opposite Cabo Branco Beach and combines the playing hall with an official accommodation option. João Pessoa has an international airport and urban road links to the Cabo Branco hotel district.
Therefore, players should review the registration rules, schedule, accommodation conditions and official documents before making travel arrangements. Brazilian players need current CBX registration, while foreign players need a valid FIDE ID.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | August 21–23, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil |
| 🏛️ Venue | Littoral Hotel |
| ♟️ Format | 6-round Swiss system |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move; 120 minutes KO when required |
| 👥 Capacity | 150 players |
| 💰 Prize Fund | R$12,200 / approx. $2,370 |
| 👤 Organizer | Paraíba Chess Federation |
| 🌐 Chess-Results | https://chess-results.com/tnr1385843.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament consists of six Swiss-system rounds. The standard time control is 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one.
When digital clocks are not available, the regulations permit a 120-minute knockout time control.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| System | Swiss system |
| Rounds | 6 |
| Primary Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| Alternative Time Control | 120 minutes KO when required |
| Pairing Program | Swiss-Manager |
Moreover, players should check the official pairing publication before every round and report any discrepancy immediately to the arbiter.
Therefore, participants should arrive early enough to find their board, prepare the scoresheet and place all electronic devices in the required condition.
🏆 Prize Fund
The published prize fund totals R$12,200 / approx. $2,370, with overall and special-category awards.
| Prize Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Overall Places | Cash prizes for the leading finishers |
| Women | Dedicated women’s prizes |
| Senior | Senior-category prizes |
| Paraíba Player | Regional award |
📅 Schedule
Thursday, August 20, 2026
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 20:00 | Online technical congress |
Friday, August 21, 2026
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 13:30 | Round 1 |
| 19:00 | Round 2 |
Saturday, August 22, 2026
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 13:30 | Round 3 |
| 19:00 | Round 4 |
Sunday, August 23, 2026
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 09:30 | Round 5 |
| 15:00 | Round 6 |
| After Round 6 | Award ceremony |
📝 Registration
Registration closes on August 19, 2026. Fees vary by registration period and whether the player stays at Littoral Hotel.
| Registration Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| General Fee through June 30 | R$260 |
| General Fee through July 31 | R$320 |
| General Fee through August 19 | R$400 |
| Hotel Guest Fee through June 30 | R$200 |
| Hotel Guest Fee through July 31 | R$250 |
| Hotel Guest Fee through August 19 | R$300 |
| Registration Deadline | August 19, 2026 |
| xadrezparaibanofpbx@gmail.com | |
| +55 81 99602-3738 |
In addition, players should keep a copy of their payment or registration confirmation and verify that their name appears on the official participant list.
👤 Organizer
| Organizer Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Paraíba Chess Federation |
| Representative | Ubirajara Barros |
| Chief Arbiter | IA Máximo Igor Macedo |
| xadrezparaibanofpbx@gmail.com | |
| Phone 1 | +55 84 99908-6738 |
| Phone 2 / WhatsApp | +55 81 99602-3738 |
📍 Venue
Littoral Hotel – Avenida Cabo Branco 2172, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
Littoral Hotel hosts every round and provides accommodation opposite Cabo Branco Beach.
Consequently, hotel guests can reach the playing hall without daily transport and can use restaurants and visitor services along the beachfront.
🏨 Accommodation
The organizer negotiated tournament conditions with Littoral Hotel. Players who stay at the hotel receive lower entry-fee tiers under the published regulations.
Moreover, bookings through accommodation applications may qualify for the hotel-guest entry discount when the player provides proof.
| Accommodation Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official Hotel | Littoral Hotel |
| Accommodation Contact | Cesar: +55 83 99988-7239 |
| Benefit | Reduced tournament entry fees for hotel guests |
🚆 How to Get There
Presidente Castro Pinto International Airport serves João Pessoa. Therefore, air travelers can continue to Cabo Branco by taxi, app-based transport or private transfer.
The beachfront address is straightforward for local drivers and navigation services.
| Travel Option | Practical Information |
|---|---|
| By Air | Fly to João Pessoa Airport, then continue by taxi or app-based transport. |
| By Bus | Use João Pessoa’s intercity bus terminal and continue to Cabo Branco. |
| By Car | Enter Avenida Cabo Branco 2172. |
| On Foot | Players staying at Littoral Hotel can walk directly to the playing hall inside the property. |
ℹ️ Other Information
The event awards the Northeast regional title only to eligible players federated through northeastern Brazilian states; however, other participants remain eligible for the related cash awards.
Moreover, players must bring their own chess clock, follow the dress code and keep unauthorized electronic devices outside the playing area.
Key Tournament Rules
| Rule | Information |
|---|---|
| Tie-Breaks | Direct encounter, Buchholz Cut 1, Buchholz, Sonneborn-Berger and wins |
| Default Time | 60 minutes |
| Half-Point Bye | One bye available through Round 3 under the published deadlines |
| Appeal Deposit | R$500; appeal within 30 minutes |
| Equipment | Organizer provides pieces; players bring a chess clock |
| Restrictions | No smoking, alcohol or unauthorized electronic devices in the playing area |
Practical Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Technical Congress | Online on August 20 at 20:00 |
| Registration Deadline | August 19, 2026 |
| Capacity | 150 players |
| National Lifetime Titles | 20 title opportunities under CBX conditions |
Official Resources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Regulations | https://reinodecaissa.blogspot.com/2026/03/nordestao-2026-regulamento.html |
Plan your participation carefully: confirm the latest registration status, room availability and organizer instructions before booking non-refundable travel.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $2,370
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Paraíba Chess Federation, officially known as Federação Paraibana de Xadrez (FPBX), is a state-level chess organization based in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. The federation was registered in 1976 and operates as a private association. Its activities focus on organizing and supporting competitive chess throughout the state of Paraíba.
FPBX organizes state championships, open tournaments, rapid circuits, school competitions, university events, and competitions submitted for Brazilian Chess Confederation and FIDE rating. It works with local chess leaders, clubs, educational institutions, tournament directors, and arbiters in João Pessoa and other cities across Paraíba.
Marcello de Albuquerque Urquiza serves as president of the federation and acts as a direct contact for registrations and organizational enquiries. Current federation regulations identify him as president, while the official Instagram profile also names him as the federation’s president.
🏆 Chess Events and Competitions
The federation organizes the Circuito Paraibano de Xadrez Rápido, a statewide rapid-chess series created with local chess organizers. The 2026 circuit is planned with between six and ten stages in different parts of Paraíba. Its stated objectives include expanding chess participation across the state and providing rating activity through FPBX, CBX, and FIDE.
FPBX also organizes the Campeonato Paraibano de Xadrez Escolar e Universitário. The 2026 competition includes university sections and school categories for Under-9, Under-12, Under-15, and Under-18 players. The event promotes chess among students from public and private schools, colleges, and universities in Paraíba.
Other confirmed 2026 events include the Aberto do Brasil de Solânea and the Campeonato Regional do Nordeste – Memorial Machado de Assis. The Nordestão takes place in João Pessoa and is promoted by the Brazilian Chess Confederation with FPBX as organizer. It offers rated classical chess to players from Paraíba, the wider Northeast region, and other parts of Brazil.
🌍 School Chess and Statewide Development
School chess forms an important part of the federation’s current activity. FPBX has stated that strengthening chess in Paraíba’s schools is one of its objectives. Its school and university championship provides official competition for different age groups and connects educational chess with the state tournament structure.
In February 2026, the João Pessoa Municipal Department of Education announced a partnership with the federation to support chess activities in municipal schools. This cooperation adds an educational component to the federation’s tournament and player-development work.
The federation also works to distribute competitive opportunities beyond João Pessoa. The Paraíba Rapid Chess Circuit uses partnerships with local leaders to hold stages in different communities, while events such as the Aberto do Brasil de Solânea bring nationally and internationally rated chess to cities elsewhere in the state.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
