The Schaffhausen New Year Chess Open 2027 takes place from January 8–10, 2027, in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Swiss Chess Tour organizes the tournament at Hotel Kronenhof in the heart of the city’s historic old town.
The event offers five rounds of FIDE-rated standard chess under the Swiss system. Moreover, each player receives 90 minutes for the game and a 30-second increment after every move from move one.
The organizer accepts up to 80 participants. In addition, the tournament offers an overall and category prize fund of up to CHF 1,800, approximately $2,230.
📌 Event Details
| Event Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | Schaffhausen New Year Chess Open 2027 |
| 📅 Dates | January 8–10, 2027 |
| 📍 Location | Schaffhausen, Switzerland |
| 🏟️ Venue | Hotel Kronenhof – Kirchhofplatz 7, 8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland |
| 🏛️ Organizer | Swiss Chess Tour |
| ♟️ Format | Standard Swiss tournament |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 |
| 🧩 Section | General Open |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE and national/DWZ rated |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one |
| ⏳ Default Time | 60 minutes |
| 👥 Maximum Capacity | 80 players |
| 👤 Tournament Director | IA Jean Dominique Coqueraut |
| ⚖️ Chief Arbiter | IA Jean Dominique Coqueraut |
| 🌐 Official Tournament Page | https://www.swisschesstour.com/1/schaffhausen_new_year_3235077.html |
| ♟️ Chess-Results | https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1339606.aspx?lan=1&flag=30&turdet=YES&SNode=S0 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The organizer runs the competition over five Swiss-system rounds. Therefore, players meet opponents with similar scores as the tournament progresses.
Each player receives 90 minutes for the game. In addition, the clock adds 30 seconds after every move from move one.
Swiss-Manager handles the pairings, standings, and tournament administration. Meanwhile, the organizer submits the results for international and national rating calculation.
| Tournament Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| ♟️ Pairing System | Swiss system |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | 5 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move |
| ⭐ Rating Calculation | FIDE and national/DWZ rating |
| ⏳ Default Time | 60 minutes |
| 🧮 Pairing Software | Swiss-Manager |
| 📊 Tie-Break | Buchholz |
A player who arrives more than 60 minutes after the scheduled starting time may lose the game. Consequently, participants should reach their boards before every round begins.
🏆 Prize Fund
The organizer publishes a total prize allocation of CHF 1,800, approximately $2,230, based on at least 30 participants.
However, if fewer than 30 players enter, the organizer may reduce the awards proportionally.
Overall Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | CHF 400 / approx. $500 |
| 🥈 2nd Place | CHF 300 / approx. $380 |
| 🥉 3rd Place | CHF 200 / approx. $250 |
| 4th Place | CHF 150 / approx. $190 |
Rating-Category Prizes
| Rating Category | 1st Prize | 2nd Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 2000–2199 | CHF 150 / approx. $190 | Chess book |
| 1800–1999 | CHF 150 / approx. $190 | Swiss Chess Tour award worth CHF 50 / approx. $70 |
| 1600–1799 | CHF 150 / approx. $190 | Swiss Chess Tour award worth CHF 50 / approx. $70 |
| Under 1600 | CHF 150 / approx. $190 | Swiss Chess Tour award worth CHF 50 / approx. $70 |
Special Awards
| Category | Award |
|---|---|
| 👩 Best Female Player | Chess book |
| 👴 Best Senior Player | Chess book |
| 🧒 Best U16 Player | Chess book |
The organizer requires at least three eligible players before awarding a first category prize. Moreover, a second category prize requires at least five eligible players.
♟️ Sections / Groups
The tournament uses one general open playing section. Consequently, all registered participants compete in the same five-round Swiss tournament.
| Section | Format |
|---|---|
| 🏆 General Open | Five-round FIDE and national/DWZ-rated standard Swiss tournament |
The rating, women’s, senior, and U16 classifications determine additional prizes. However, they do not create separate pairing groups.
📅 Schedule
All times follow local time in Switzerland.
| Activity | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Attendance Confirmation | Friday, January 8, 2027 | 19:00–19:50 |
| Round 1 | Friday, January 8, 2027 | 20:00 |
| Round 2 | Saturday, January 9, 2027 | 09:00 |
| Round 3 | Saturday, January 9, 2027 | 15:00 |
| Round 4 | Sunday, January 10, 2027 | 09:00 |
| Round 5 | Sunday, January 10, 2027 | 14:00 |
| Award Ceremony | Sunday, January 10, 2027 | After Round 5 |
Friday begins with attendance confirmation and one evening round. Afterwards, players complete two rounds on Saturday and two rounds on Sunday.
Because Round 2 starts at 09:00, participants travelling from outside Schaffhausen should consider arriving on Friday.
📝 Registration
Players can register through the official Swiss Chess Tour tournament page. The organizer confirms places subject to the maximum capacity of 80 participants.
Entry Fees
| Player Category | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| 👤 General Entry | CHF 100 / approx. $130 |
| 🧒 U16 Players | CHF 80 / approx. $100 |
| 🎖️ International Masters | CHF 80 / approx. $100 |
| 👑 Grandmasters | Free entry |
Online Registration
https://www.swisschesstour.com/1/schaffhausen_new_year_3235077.html
Online registration closes on Thursday, January 7, 2027, at 16:00. Afterwards, players should register directly during attendance confirmation at the venue, subject to available places.
Tournament Contact During the Event
Contact Person: IA Jean Dominique Coqueraut
Email: coquerautjean@gmail.com
Phone: +39 331 259 2759
🏛️ Organizer
| Contact Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Organizer Name | Swiss Chess Tour |
| 👤 Contact Person | Claudio Boschetti |
| ✉️ Email | swisschesstour@bluewin.ch |
| 📞 Phone Number | +41 79 620 53 26 |
📍 Venue
Hotel Kronenhof – Kirchhofplatz 7, 8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland.
Hotel Kronenhof stands in the centre of Schaffhausen’s historic old town. Moreover, the hotel lies approximately five minutes on foot from Schaffhausen railway station.
The venue includes hotel rooms, event facilities, restaurants, and a wellness area with saunas and steam baths. In addition, shops, cafés, restaurants, and local attractions surround the property.
Accommodation
The organizer asks players who wish to stay at Hotel Kronenhof to book directly with the hotel and use the keyword “chess tournament.”
The rates below show recent advertised starting prices. However, final prices depend on the room type, booking conditions, and availability for the tournament weekend.
| Accommodation | Location | Approximate Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| 🏨 Hotel Kronenhof | Tournament venue, Kirchhofplatz 7 | From CHF 150 / approx. $190 per night |
| 🏨 Tailormade Hotel Rüden Schaffhausen | Oberstadt 20, Schaffhausen old town | From CHF 130 / approx. $170 per night |
| 🏨 Vienna House by Wyndham Zur Bleiche | Bleicheplatz 1, near Schaffhausen station | From CHF 111 / approx. $140 per night |
Hotel Kronenhof Booking:
https://www.kronenhof.ch/
Hotel Kronenhof Phone:
+41 52 635 75 75
Hotel Kronenhof Email:
info@kronenhof.ch
Players should book early because central Schaffhausen hotels may have limited weekend availability.
🚆 How to Get There
Schaffhausen railway station provides the main public transport connection. From there, players can walk to Hotel Kronenhof in approximately five minutes.
| Travel Option | Recommended Route |
|---|---|
| 🚆 From Schaffhausen Railway Station | Leave the station toward the old town and walk to Kirchhofplatz 7. The journey takes approximately five minutes. |
| 🚆 From Zürich Main Station | Take a direct train to Schaffhausen. Regular services operate throughout the day, while the S9 journey takes approximately 57 minutes. |
| ✈️ From Zurich Airport | Take an SBB train toward Schaffhausen. Depending on the selected service, travel directly or change at Winterthur or Zürich Main Station. |
| 🚆 From Basel | Use a direct or connecting train to Schaffhausen. Afterwards, walk from the station to Hotel Kronenhof. |
| 🇩🇪 From Stuttgart or Southern Germany | Travel by rail toward Schaffhausen and continue on foot from the central station. |
| 🚕 By Taxi | Ask the driver to travel to Hotel Kronenhof, Kirchhofplatz 7, Schaffhausen. |
| 🚗 By Car | Follow the yellow Kronenhof signs toward the old town. Public paid parking is available directly in front of the hotel. |
Arrival Advice
Attendance confirmation closes at 19:50 on Friday, while Round 1 begins at 20:00. Therefore, players should allow enough time for winter travel and hotel check-in.
The public parking area in front of Hotel Kronenhof charges fees during the day. However, parking becomes free after 16:00 on Saturday and throughout Sunday.
Participants should check the current SBB timetable before travelling because railway schedules may change before January 2027.
ℹ️ Other Information
Half-Point Bye
Each player may request one half-point bye in one of the first three rounds.
However, the organizer must receive the request at least 12 hours before the tournament begins. Therefore, players should submit their bye request before Friday morning.
Tie-Break
The organizer uses Buchholz to separate players who finish with the same number of points.
Rating Calculation
The tournament counts toward the FIDE standard rating list and the applicable national/DWZ rating system.
Therefore, players should check their full name, federation, rating, and FIDE ID before the first round.
Pairings and Results
Chess-Results publishes the starting list, pairings, standings, and results:
https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1339606.aspx?lan=1&flag=30&turdet=YES&SNode=S0
Finally, players should review the official tournament page and Chess-Results before travelling because the organizer may update the entry list or practical information.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $2,230
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
SWISS CHESS TOUR is a Swiss chess tournament organizer led by Claudio Boschetti and based in Melano Val Mara, Ticino, Switzerland. The project focuses on over-the-board chess events in Switzerland and has built a clear identity around tournaments in attractive Swiss destinations. Its calendar connects mountain resorts, lakeside venues, city hotels, and weekend chess formats across several regions.
The organizer works as a touring chess brand rather than a single local chess club. This gives players a consistent event structure in many Swiss locations. In practice, participants can follow the same organizer from one tournament to another while enjoying different venues, formats, and travel settings.
SWISS CHESS TOUR is especially useful for players who want well-planned chess trips. The events often combine FIDE-rated play with hotel venues, compact schedules, and practical accommodation options. Therefore, the organizer serves club players, amateur competitors, older players, juniors, and traveling chess enthusiasts who want reliable tournament conditions in Switzerland.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
SWISS CHESS TOUR organizes a broad tournament program throughout the year. Its activity includes classical opens, amateur tournaments, senior events, weekend festivals, and compact 2Days formats. The calendar regularly features events in places such as Basel, Davos, Flims, Lenzerheide, Lugano, Mendrisio, Serpiano, Stein am Rhein, Schaffhausen, and the Zürichsee area.
The organizer is also connected with important Swiss chess events. These include the Bundesturnier, which gives Swiss and international players a structured multi-section tournament with classical games and official rating opportunities. In addition, SWISS CHESS TOUR runs many accessible weekend events, which help busy players add serious chess to a short trip.
This variety gives the organizer a strong national role. Players can choose between longer festivals, weekend opens, senior-friendly tournaments, and rating-based amateur sections. Moreover, many events use hotel venues, clear schedules, and experienced arbiters. As a result, SWISS CHESS TOUR offers a practical route into chess tournaments in Switzerland for many types of players.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Players who join SWISS CHESS TOUR events can expect a travel-friendly and professionally managed chess environment. The organizer often selects venues that work well for both chess and tourism. This approach helps participants combine competitive games with a pleasant stay in Switzerland.
The tournament formats also suit different chess goals. Strong players can look for serious classical competition. Amateur players can choose rating-based sections. Older players can join events designed around a comfortable rhythm. Meanwhile, weekend formats give working players a realistic way to compete without taking a long break.
For players searching for Swiss chess tournaments, FIDE-rated events, or chess weekends in scenic locations, SWISS CHESS TOUR offers a reliable and recognizable option. Its mix of regular events, established venues, practical formats, and experienced organization gives it a clear place in the Swiss tournament scene.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
