The II Torneo Internacional de Ajedrez Ciudad de Pamplona – Pepe Leuza in Memoriam will take place from February 6 to 13, 2027, in Pamplona, Spain. The tournament will be played in the Salón Roma of Hotel NH Iruña Park.

The event is an official FIDE tournament, valid for FIDE rating and international norms. It is open to players with a valid federation licence.

The tournament will be played over nine Swiss-system rounds with a time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one. Pairings will use the Baku Acceleration Method. The event has a maximum capacity of 200 players and a confirmed prize fund of €8,700 / approx. $9,930.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament will be played over nine rounds using the Swiss system.

Each player receives 90 minutes for the game, with a 30-second increment from move one.

If players have the same FIDE rating, the initial ranking is ordered by higher title and then alphabetically.

Byes

Players may request up to three half-point byes.

Draw Offers

The tournament applies a Sofia-rule style restriction.

Players may not offer or accept a draw before move 30 by Black. A draw before that point requires the arbiter’s consent.

Tie-Break Criteria

🏆 Prize Fund

The tournament has a confirmed prize fund of €8,700 / approx. $9,930.

Cash prizes are subject to the applicable Spanish tax withholding.

Cash prizes are not cumulative. For rating-category prizes, the rating used is the rating that defines the initial ranking.

To receive a cash prize, the winner must provide identification and bank-account details for the transfer.

General Prizes

Special Prizes

For the Navarrese-player prize, the player must be registered as resident in a municipality of the Comunidad Foral de Navarra.

The Veteran prize applies to players born before 1967.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The event is a single open international tournament.

The tournament is open to players of all federations, provided they have a valid licence and meet the official registration requirements.

📅 Schedule

Most rounds begin at 17:30. The final round starts at 09:30 on Saturday, February 13.

📝 Registration

Registration is open until Wednesday, February 3, 2027.

The tournament is limited to 200 players, accepted in strict order of completed registration. Once the limit is reached, additional players may be placed on a waiting list.

Registration Process

Players must complete the official registration form and pay the entry fee by bank transfer.

The registration is not considered complete until the organizer receives both:

The payment receipt and completed registration information must be sent to memorialpepeleuza@fnajedrez.com.

Payment Details

Refund Policy

The entry fee is refunded to players who withdraw in writing before publication of the first-round pairings.

The entry fee is not refunded if it is proven that the player is registered in another tournament that overlaps with the II Torneo Internacional de Ajedrez Ciudad de Pamplona – Pepe Leuza in Memoriam.

🏛️ Organizer

The tournament is organized by the Federación Navarra de Ajedrez.

The organizing committee includes Mariano De Pablos Fernández, President of the Federación Navarra de Ajedrez, and Sergio Coellar Mideros, Tournament Director.

The event honors the memory of Pepe Leuza García, a historic Navarrese chess figure remembered for his passion for chess, music and mathematics.

Sponsors and Collaborators

📍 Venue

Salón Roma, Hotel NH Iruña Park – Arcadio Mª Larraona 1, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.

The tournament will be played at Hotel NH Iruña Park, the official venue and accommodation hotel for the event.

Accommodation

A special hotel rate is available for tournament participants at NH Pamplona Iruña Park.

Breakfast buffet is included.

Optional Board Supplements

Half board includes dinner, excluding drinks.

Full board includes lunch and dinner, excluding drinks.

Hotel Booking Conditions

Hotel reservations are paid through a payment link sent by the hotel before arrival.

✈️ How to Get There

The venue is located in Pamplona, close to the Avenida de Bayona area. The nearest airport is Pamplona Airport.

Arrival Advice

Players should plan travel so they can arrive before the first round on Saturday, February 6 at 17:30.

Players staying at the official hotel should note that check-in begins at 15:00.

ℹ️ Other Information

Anti-Cheating Measures

The organizer will implement anti-cheating measures to protect the integrity of the tournament.

These measures include a strict ban on electronic devices in the playing hall, safe custody for devices before games, random metal-detector checks, possible inspections during and after games, software-based game screening, and additional observers or judges.

A player caught cheating will be immediately disqualified and reported to the relevant chess authorities, including FIDE and FEDA.

Electronic Devices

Electronic devices are prohibited inside the playing hall.

Players who need to deposit electronic devices before play may use the secure custody area provided by the organizer.

Appeals

A decision of the Chief Arbiter may be appealed in writing to the Appeals Committee within 30 minutes after the end of the relevant game.

Non-playing sanctions imposed by the Chief Arbiter may also be appealed within 30 minutes after notification.

Each appeal requires a €50 deposit. The deposit is returned if the appeal is successful, or if the Appeals Committee considers that the appeal had justified grounds.

Appeals Committee

The Appeals Committee consists of the Tournament Director, or the person acting in that role, with a casting vote, plus four players.

The four player members consist of two regular members and two substitutes. They should be adults and have arbiter qualification. If this is not possible, players with Elo above 1900 may be appointed according to the initial ranking.

No-Shows and Disqualification

A player is considered absent if they do not appear within 30 minutes after the arbiter announces the start of the round.

A player may be disqualified after one unexcused no-show unless they submit a written request to continue, explaining the reason for the absence.

A player who misses two games cannot continue in the tournament.

Notation

Players must record their moves legibly on the scoresheets provided by the organizer.

Photography, Video and Data Use

By registering, participants authorize the use of images and videos taken during the tournament for promotion, communication and publication of the event and future events.

A participant or the legal representative of a minor who objects to image use should notify the organizer in writing before the start of the tournament.

Player Conduct and Hygiene

Players must follow the tournament regulations and maintain appropriate conduct during the event.

The organizer will pay special attention to hygiene. A player whose hygiene conditions disturb other players may first receive a warning and may later be expelled from the tournament.