The Il Tesoro di San Gennaro International Chess Festival 2026 will take place from September 18 to 20, 2026, at Mostra d’Oltremare in Naples, Italy. This first edition is organized by A.S.D. Accademia Scacchistica Napoletana in collaboration with FIDE International Organizer Gianvittorio Perico.

The festival forms part of the Naples European Capital of Sport 2026 program. It includes two FIDE-rated classical sections: Tournament A for players rated above 1799 and Tournament B for players rated below 1900.

Both tournaments will be played over five Swiss-system rounds with a time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move. The published gross prize fund totals €3,500 / approximately $3,990.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Both sections will be played over five rounds using the FIDE Swiss system.

Each player receives 90 minutes for the entire game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move from move one.

A player who reaches the board more than 60 minutes after the scheduled starting time will lose the game.

Tie-Break Criteria

Players tied on points will be ranked using the following criteria:

Players should verify their full name, federation, FIDE ID and rating on the appropriate Chess-Results starting list before the first round.

🏆 Prize Fund

The published gross prize fund totals €3,500 / approximately $3,990.

Tournament A offers €2,370 in prizes, while Tournament B offers €1,130. All monetary amounts are published gross and may be subject to the applicable Italian tax deductions.

Tournament A Prizes

Tournament B Prizes

Prize Conditions

The published prizes are:

• Indivisible
• Non-cumulative
• Gross of any applicable tax deductions

A player qualifying for more than one award will receive only one prize.

The prizegiving ceremony is an integral part of the festival. A winner who is absent without a justified reason will lose the right to the prize, which will pass to the next eligible player in the final standings.

Prize winners must provide:

• Italian tax code or the required equivalent information
• IBAN
• BIC / SWIFT
• Parent or guardian documentation for junior prize winners

♟️ Sections / Groups

The festival is divided into two classical tournaments based on FIDE Elo rating.

Tournament A

Tournament A is open to players with a published Elo rating of 1800 or higher.

It is the stronger section and includes grandmasters, international masters, FIDE masters and other experienced tournament players.

Chess-Results:

https://chess-results.com/tnr1449841.aspx?lan=1

Tournament B

Tournament B is open to players with a published Elo rating of 1899 or lower.

The section provides separate general, rating-category and U23 prizes.

Chess-Results:

https://chess-results.com/tnr1449838.aspx?lan=1

Overlapping Rating Range

The published section limits overlap for players rated 1800–1899.

Players within this rating range should confirm their chosen section when registering and ensure that the correct tournament appears on the official starting list.

📅 Schedule

One round will be played on Friday evening. Two rounds follow on Saturday and two on Sunday.

Players should complete onsite confirmation between 16:30 and 17:00 on Friday.

Saturday and Sunday are double-round days. Therefore, participants should plan sufficient time for lunch, rest and travel between the morning and afternoon sessions.

📝 Registration

All participants must complete the official pre-registration process and pay the applicable entry fee by September 12, 2026.

Reduced Fees

Online Card Payment

Card payments may be completed directly through the official tournament page:

https://www.accademiascacchinapoli.it/notizie/iltesorodisangennaro2026

Bank Transfer

Submitting only a payment does not replace the required tournament registration.

Player Eligibility

Participation is open to:

• Italian players holding a valid 2026 FSI Agonistic or Junior membership
• Foreign players resident in Italy holding the required 2026 FSI membership
• Foreign non-resident players registered with a FIDE-recognized federation and holding a valid FIDE ID

FSI membership may be completed until the day before the tournament.

👤 Organizer

The festival is organized by A.S.D. Accademia Scacchistica Napoletana, a Naples-based chess academy that provides chess education, club activities and rated competitions.

The event is organized in collaboration with FIDE International Organizer Gianvittorio Perico and is included within the Naples European Capital of Sport 2026 program.

Players should contact the organizer regarding registration, section selection, payment confirmation, FSI membership, accessibility or special requirements.

📍 Venue

Mostra d’Oltremare, Centro Congressi Mediterraneo, Sala Italia – Viale John Fitzgerald Kennedy 54, 80125 Naples, Italy.

Sala Italia is located on the second floor of the Centro Congressi Mediterraneo within the Mostra d’Oltremare complex.

Players should confirm which Mostra d’Oltremare entrance will be used for the festival before travelling.

Accommodation Near the Venue

Official hotel websites:

https://www.palazzoesedra.it/

https://www.hotelcristinanapoli.com/

https://www.hotelnuvo.it/

https://www.lhpnapolipalace.it/

Players should compare live rates for September 17–21, 2026, and check breakfast hours, cancellation conditions, parking and travel time to Sala Italia before booking.

🚆 How to Get There

Mostra d’Oltremare is located in the Fuorigrotta district and is accessible by Metro, urban rail, taxi and car.

From Naples International Airport

A taxi provides the most direct journey between the airport and Fuorigrotta.

Players using public transport may travel toward Napoli Centrale or the city center and connect with Metro Line 2 or Line 6.

From Napoli Centrale

Travel on Metro Line 2 to Napoli Campi Flegrei. From there, continue toward Piazzale Tecchio and the Mostra d’Oltremare entrance.

By Car

Enter the following destination into the navigation system:

Mostra d’Oltremare – Viale John Fitzgerald Kennedy 54, 80125 Naples, Italy.

Drivers approaching Naples should use Tangenziale Exit 10 for Fuorigrotta and follow signs for Mostra d’Oltremare.

ℹ️ Other Information

Half-Point Bye

One half-point bye may be requested before the tournament begins.

The request may apply only to Round 1, Round 2 or Round 3. No half-point bye is available in the final two rounds.

Electronic Devices

Mobile phones and other electronic communication devices are governed by Article 11.3 of the FIDE Laws of Chess.

Players should keep electronic devices completely switched off and follow the instructions issued by the arbiters.

Accessibility and Special Requirements

Players with disabilities or particular requirements should contact the organizer before the tournament.

Advance notice allows the organization to prepare suitable access, seating or playing arrangements.

Photography and Personal Data

Registration includes consent to the publication of player information, results, photographs and video footage through the organizer’s official channels and social-media platforms.

For junior players, consent is provided by a parent or legal guardian.

Award Ceremony

The award ceremony is part of the official tournament program.

Prize winners must remain for the ceremony unless the organizer has accepted a justified reason for absence.

Tournament Updates

Starting lists, pairings and results will be published separately for each section:

Tournament A:
https://chess-results.com/tnr1449841.aspx?lan=1

Tournament B:
https://chess-results.com/tnr1449838.aspx?lan=1

Players should verify their section and registration status before travelling.