Scheldemond International Chess Tournament 2026
Scheldemond International Chess Tournament 2026 runs from August 1 to 8, 2026, at Scheldemond College in Vlissingen, Netherlands. This is a chess tournament in Vlissingen, Netherlands, in 2026, with nine classical rounds in one large international open.
The tournament suits club players, titled competitors and ambitious juniors because every entrant plays in the same field. Moreover, results count for both FIDE and KNSB rating, and eligible performances may support title-norm ambitions.
A confirmed €7,285 cash prize fund, mostly evening rounds and a coastal Zeeland setting create a distinctive full-week event. Therefore, players can combine serious chess with time to explore Vlissingen between rounds.
📌 Event Details
| 📅 Dates | August 1–8, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Vlissingen, Netherlands |
| 👤 Organizer | Stichting Schaak Walcheren |
| 🏟️ Venue | Scheldemond College, Wielingen building – Weyevlietplein 7–13, 4385 CH Vlissingen, Netherlands |
| ♟️ Format | Nine-round individual Swiss open |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| 🏁 Sections | One open group |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE and KNSB rated |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, then 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment from move one |
| 💰 Prize fund | €7,285 in listed cash prizes |
| 🎯 Tournament Directors | Hans Groffen and René Tiggelman |
| ⚖️ Chief Arbiter | IA Angelique van der Graaf–Osinga |
| 🌐 Official website | https://www.scheldemondschaaktoernooi.nl/en/ |
⏰ Time Control & Pairings
Each player receives 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game. A 30-second increment applies from move one.
- Pairings use the FIDE Swiss system and Swiss-Manager.
- The default time is 60 minutes.
- Players must record every move.
Tie-break Criteria
The published tie-break order is direct encounter, number of wins, Buchholz excluding the best and worst results, Sonneborn-Berger and progressive score.
🏆 Prize Fund
The published awards total €7,285. Main prizes are shared when players finish level on points, while rating prizes apply only within the player’s own rating category.
Prize Distribution
| Award | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €2,500 |
| 2nd | €1,500 |
| 3rd | €1,000 |
| 4th | €500 |
| 5th | €400 |
| 6th | €300 |
| 7th–10th | €200 each |
| Rating 0–1599 | €50 / €30 / €15 |
| Rating 1600–1799 | €50 / €30 / €15 |
| Rating 1800–1999 | €50 / €30 / €15 |
📂 Sections / Groups
One Open Section
All competitors play in one open section. Consequently, developing players can meet much stronger opposition, while titled players and norm seekers receive a broad international field.
🗓️ Schedule
| Date / Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| August 1, 15:00–17:30 | Confirmation of registration |
| August 1, 18:00 | Opening ceremony |
| August 1, 18:30 | Round 1 |
| August 2, 11:30 | Round 2 |
| August 2, 18:30 | Round 3 |
| August 3, 18:30 | Round 4 |
| August 4, 18:30 | Round 5 |
| August 5, 18:30 | Round 6 |
| August 6, 18:30 | Round 7 |
| August 7, 18:30 | Round 8 |
| August 8, 11:30 | Round 9 |
| August 8, 17:30 | Prize-giving ceremony |
📝 Registration
Registration Process
The entry fee is €80 before July 1 and €90 from July 1 onward. GM, WGM, IM and WIM titleholders enter free, while FM and WFM titleholders receive a 50% reduction.
Every registered player must confirm participation at the playing hall on August 1 between 15:00 and 17:30. Registration is completed through https://www.scheldemondschaaktoernooi.nl/en/.
👤 Organizer
Stichting Schaak Walcheren organizes the tournament and continues the long-running Vlissingen international open tradition.
René Tiggelman chairs the committee, while Hans Groffen and René Tiggelman serve as tournament directors.
Chief Arbiter: IA Angelique van der Graaf–Osinga.
Email: info@hztoernooi.nl
Website: https://www.scheldemondschaaktoernooi.nl/en/
📍 Venue
Scheldemond College, Wielingen building – Weyevlietplein 7–13, 4385 CH Vlissingen, Netherlands.
The school venue hosts registration, all nine rounds and the awards ceremony.
Players should use the Wielingen building entrance and allow time to find the assigned playing room.
Venue on the Map
Hotels near the Venue
🏨 Accommodation
Recommended Areas to Stay
Vlissingen offers hotels, apartments and guesthouses around the city center, boulevard and railway-station area. Staying near the center gives easy access to restaurants and the waterfront, while accommodation near the station can simplify arrival by train.
Because August is a busy coastal period, early booking is sensible. Check the evening return route before choosing accommodation, since most rounds begin at 18:30.
🚗 How to Get There
By rail
Dutch intercity services connect Vlissingen with Roosendaal, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Continue from Vlissingen station by local bus, taxi or bicycle to Weyevlietplein.
By car
The A58 motorway reaches Vlissingen from the east. Use the full school address and review local parking signs around the campus.
By air
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport offers the broadest international network. Rotterdam The Hague Airport is another option, followed by rail or road travel to Zeeland.
Players arriving on August 1 should leave enough time for the compulsory in-person confirmation before 17:30.
ℹ️ Other Information
Half-Point Byes
Players may request a half-point bye in round two or round three under the published procedure.
Electronic Devices
Phones, smartwatches and other electronic devices may not be carried during play.
Appeals
A written appeal must be filed within 30 minutes after the relevant round and accompanied by a €50 deposit.
Spectator Conduct
Visitors must keep phones silent, remain at an appropriate distance from the boards and avoid flash photography.
The Scheldemond International Chess Tournament combines a serious open field, generous prizes and a memorable week on the Zeeland coast.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $8,450
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Stichting Schaak Walcheren is a chess foundation based in Gapinge, Zeeland, the Netherlands. The organization is best known for its long-running international summer tournament in Vlissingen. Since 1995, the foundation has brought together club players, titled competitors, juniors, and international visitors on the Zeeland coast.
The tournament began as the Zeeland Open in 1995. Two years later, it continued as the HZ University of Applied Sciences Chess Tournament. HZ University hosted and supported the competition for almost three decades. As a result, the event became one of the most established international opens in the Netherlands.
René Tiggelman serves as president of the organizing committee and co-directs the tournament with Hans Groffen. Meanwhile, Jos van der Kaap serves as secretary, and Alex Nagelhout manages the finances. The foundation also works with international arbiters, photographers, sponsors, and a large volunteer team.
The organization manages tournament planning, registration, sponsorship, player communication, accommodation information, pairings, rating submissions, prizes, and media coverage. Moreover, it maintains an extensive archive of tournament reports, photographs, games, and former winners.
🏆 International Chess Tournament in Vlissingen
The foundation’s principal event is now the Scheldemond International Chess Tournament. The competition previously carried the HZ University of Applied Sciences name. However, the organizers moved to Scheldemond College in 2026 after 27 editions at the HZ venue. Despite the new name and playing hall, the tournament retains its established format and volunteer-led organizing team.
The event features nine rounds of classical chess in one large Swiss-system group. Therefore, amateur and club players may face international masters or grandmasters. At the same time, ambitious competitors can pursue title norms. The organizers submit the results for both FIDE and KNSB rating.
The tournament’s winners list reflects its international standing. Former champions include Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Fabiano Caruana, Gata Kamsky, Baadur Jobava, Krishnan Sasikiran, Loek van Wely, Pavel Eljanov, Mikhail Gurevich, and Ivan Sokolov. Moreover, many editions have attracted large fields from numerous national federations.
The foundation combines serious competitive chess with the atmosphere of a summer festival. Most rounds take place in the evening. Consequently, participants can spend the daytime exploring Vlissingen, nearby beaches, and the wider Walcheren region. This schedule has helped create the tournament’s distinctive identity as both a chess event and a coastal holiday experience.
🌊 Volunteers, Partnerships and Chess Community
Volunteer work forms the foundation of the organization. The tournament requires substantial support before, during, and after each edition. Volunteers assist with the playing hall, registration desk, equipment, results, photography, refreshments, communications, and practical services for participants.
In addition, Stichting Schaak Walcheren works with public institutions and commercial partners. Recent supporters have included the Municipality of Vlissingen, the Province of Zeeland, local businesses, publishers, educational institutions, and service providers. These partnerships help the foundation maintain a large international competition while keeping it accessible to regular club players.
The tournament also strengthens the connection between chess and the Zeeland region. Visiting players often stay for the full week and combine the competition with tourism. Therefore, the event brings international chess activity to Vlissingen while also supporting local hospitality and community visibility.
After nearly three decades at HZ University, the move to Scheldemond College begins a new stage in the tournament’s history. Nevertheless, the foundation continues the same core model: one international field, evening rounds, strong titled participation, and a welcoming volunteer organization. Through this work, Stichting Schaak Walcheren preserves one of the Netherlands’ most recognizable summer chess traditions.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
