Pan-American Amateur Chess Championship 2026
Pan-American Amateur Chess Championship 2026 will take place from August 22–27, 2026 at the official championship venue in Florianópolis, Brazil. The Confederation of Chess for the Americas and the Brazilian Chess Confederation organize six separate open and women’s championships. Therefore, amateur players from across the continent can compete for official Pan-American titles within their rating category.
Players will compete in six nine-round Swiss-system championships. The published time control is 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one. Moreover, the organizer divides the field into U2300, U2000 and U1700 categories for both Open and Women. The combined advertised cash prize fund is $9,000.
the official championship venue will be confirmed by the organizers in Florianópolis and will host all six sections. In addition, Florianópolis provides international airport access, hotels, restaurants and urban services for a continental championship. Consequently, players should review the registration rules, schedule, travel arrangements and official resources before making non-refundable bookings.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | August 22–27, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil |
| ♟️ Format | Six 9-round Swiss-system championships |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE and national rating |
| 👥 Categories | U2300, U2000 and U1700 – Open and Women |
| 💰 Combined Prize Fund | $9,000 |
| 👤 Organizer | Confederation of Chess for the Americas and CBX |
| 🌐 Chess-Results – U2300 Open | https://chess-results.com/tnr1345568.aspx?lan=1 |
| 🌐 Chess-Results – U2000 Open | https://chess-results.com/tnr1345570.aspx?lan=1 |
| 🌐 Chess-Results – U1700 Open | https://chess-results.com/tnr1345572.aspx?lan=1 |
| 🌐 Chess-Results – U2300 Women | https://chess-results.com/tnr1345573.aspx?lan=1 |
| 🌐 Chess-Results – U2000 Women | https://chess-results.com/tnr1345574.aspx?lan=1 |
| 🌐 Chess-Results – U1700 Women | https://chess-results.com/tnr1345575.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
All six championships use nine Swiss-system rounds. Every player receives 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one.
Moreover, the organizers calculate FIDE and national ratings and maintain separate pairings, standings and titles for every category.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| System | Swiss system in every section |
| Rounds | 9 |
| Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| Rating | FIDE and national rating |
🏆 Prize Fund
The combined advertised cash prize fund is $9,000. Each open section advertises $2,000, while each women’s section advertises $1,000.
| Section | Advertised Prize Fund |
|---|---|
| U2300 Open | $2,000 |
| U2000 Open | $2,000 |
| U1700 Open | $2,000 |
| U2300 Women | $1,000 |
| U2000 Women | $1,000 |
| U1700 Women | $1,000 |
♟️ Sections / Groups
The rating categories define eligibility for the continental amateur titles. Players should check the official rating list and title restrictions.
| Section / Group | Information |
|---|---|
| U2300 Open | Open championship below the published 2300 limit |
| U2000 Open | Open championship below the published 2000 limit |
| U1700 Open | Open championship below the published 1700 limit |
| U2300 Women | Women’s championship below the published 2300 limit |
| U2000 Women | Women’s championship below the published 2000 limit |
| U1700 Women | Women’s championship below the published 1700 limit |
📅 Schedule
The championship runs across six days. The organizers will confirm the final technical meeting, round times and closing ceremony through the official regulations and federation communications.
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, August 22, 2026 | According to official regulations | Registration, technical meeting, opening and Round 1 |
| August 23–26, 2026 | According to official regulations | Middle rounds in all six sections |
| Thursday, August 27, 2026 | According to official regulations | Final round, titles and awards |
📝 Registration
Players should follow the entry process established by the Confederation of Chess for the Americas, CBX and their national federation.
Moreover, entrants must satisfy the rating and title conditions for the selected section and provide a valid FIDE ID.
| Registration Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official Regulations | https://fideamerica.net/site/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CCA-Panamerican-Amateur-Chess-Championships.pdf |
| CCA Email | fideamericaoficial@gmail.com |
| CBX Email | cbxadrez@gmail.com |
👤 Organizer
| Organizer Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Confederation of Chess for the Americas and Confederação Brasileira de Xadrez |
| Tournament Director and Chief Arbiter | IO/IA Kaiser Luiz Mafra |
| CCA Email | fideamericaoficial@gmail.com |
| CBX Email | cbxadrez@gmail.com |
📍 Venue
Official championship venue – Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
The official championship city is Florianópolis. The organizers will confirm the final playing address through the regulations and federation communications.
Meanwhile, Florianópolis offers a large hotel inventory, restaurants, airport access and local transport across the island and mainland districts.
🏨 Accommodation
Players should wait for the official hotel and venue announcement before choosing accommodation.
Once the organizer confirms the playing address, participants should compare daily transport time, breakfast arrangements and any federation hotel requirements.
🚆 How to Get There
Florianópolis International Airport serves domestic and selected international routes. Therefore, visitors can reach the city directly and continue by taxi, app-based transport, bus or organizer transfer.
Because the city covers island and mainland districts, players should confirm the venue before finalizing local accommodation.
| Travel Option | Practical Information |
|---|---|
| By Air | Fly to Florianópolis International Airport and continue by taxi, app-based transport or bus. |
| By Bus | The intercity terminal connects Florianópolis with major Brazilian cities. |
| Local Travel | Choose the final route only after the organizer confirms the playing address. |
| International Players | Check passport, visa and national-federation entry requirements early. |
ℹ️ Other Information
The championship follows CCA, CBX and FIDE regulations for amateur continental events. Moreover, section eligibility depends on the official rating and title criteria.
Key Tournament Rules
| Rule | Information |
|---|---|
| FIDE ID | Required |
| Section Eligibility | Defined by rating and title restrictions |
| National Federation | Players should follow their federation’s entry procedure |
Official Resources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Championship Regulations | https://fideamerica.net/site/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CCA-Panamerican-Amateur-Chess-Championships.pdf |
| FIDE America | https://fideamerica.net/site/ |
| Brazilian Chess Confederation | https://www.cbx.com.br/ |
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $9,000
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Confederation of Chess for the Americas, commonly known as CCA or FIDE America, is the continental organization that coordinates chess across North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Its official Spanish name is Confederación de Ajedrez de las Américas. The organization is affiliated with the International Chess Federation and represents the national chess federations of the American continent.
CCA establishes continental competition regulations, approves championship hosts, coordinates its annual tournament program, and works with national federations on player nominations and official participation. It also supports arbiters, organizers, coaches, federation officials, and chess-development programs. Representatives of 36 of its 42 member federations participated in the 2025 General Assembly. José Antonio Carrillo Pujol serves as president for the 2022–2026 term.
🏆 Continental and Pan-American Championships
The confederation oversees a broad program of official championships for players of different ages, rating levels, and competitive categories. Its events include the Continental Absolute and Women’s Championships, Pan-American Youth Championships, Pan-American U20 Championships, Pan-American Amateur Championships, senior competitions, school championships, and regional events for North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America.
CCA works with a selected national federation or local organizer to deliver each championship. It provides the applicable competition regulations, confirms eligibility requirements, coordinates official entries through member federations, appoints or approves key technical officials, and supervises continental titles and qualification rights.
For the Pan-American Amateur Chess Championship 2026, CCA is working with the Brazilian Chess Confederation. The championship program includes separate Open and Women’s competitions in the U2300, U2000, and U1700 categories. CCA regulations require the Pan-American Amateur Championships to be held under its authority and establish the principal eligibility, title, prize, and organizational conditions.
🌱 Chess Education and Continental Development
Beyond tournament administration, CCA promotes chess as an educational and social-development tool. Its activities include arbiter and organizer seminars, coaching initiatives, youth development, federation-support programs, school chess, and cooperation with public institutions.
In 2025, CCA signed a cooperation agreement with the Asian Chess Federation covering player and coach exchanges, educational materials, research, professional training, youth festivals, and sports-management development. In 2026, the confederation also worked with FIDE, the Costa Rican Chess Federation, and government institutions on a chess-in-education program designed for public schools.
Through continental championships, education projects, technical seminars, federation coordination, and international partnerships, FIDE America connects national chess organizations across a geographically diverse continent. It provides a common structure for official competition while helping member federations expand participation, improve tournament standards, and develop future players, arbiters, coaches, and organizers.
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