The XXV Festival Internazionale Città di Nichelino 2026 takes place from October 9–11, 2026, at Centro Polivalente Nicola Grosa in Nichelino, near Turin, Italy. A.S.D. Scacchi Nichelino organizes the 25th edition under the patronage of Regione Piemonte, the Italian Chess Federation, and the City of Nichelino.

The festival consists of Open A, Open B, and Open C. All three competitions use a five-round Swiss system with a classical time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move.

Moreover, the organizer provides a substantial €3,300 / approx. $3,820 cash prize fund, together with trophies. The top boards in Open A and Open B will also be broadcast live.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The organizer runs five Swiss-system rounds in each tournament.

All three sections use the same classical time control: 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment after every move.

A player who reaches the board more than 60 minutes after the scheduled start loses the game by forfeit.

The arbiter’s decisions are final. In addition, current FSI/FIDE regulations apply to matters that the tournament regulations do not specifically address.

🏆 Prize Fund

The festival offers a total cash prize fund of €3,300 / approx. $3,820, in addition to trophies.

Open A

Open A provides €2,260 / approx. $2,620 in cash prizes.

Open B

Open B provides €1,040 / approx. $1,210 in cash prizes.

Open C

Open C offers trophies rather than cash prizes.

Age Categories

The organizer defines the youth prize categories as follows:

All prizes are indivisible and non-cumulative.

The published amounts are gross of any applicable tax. Under the organizer’s published rules, a 20% withholding applies only when the total prizes received by the player from A.S.D. Scacchi Nichelino during 2026 exceed €300.

No withholding applies when that annual total is €300 or less.

Furthermore, players must attend the award ceremony to receive a prize. The organizer pays cash prizes by bank transfer only.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The festival contains three separate tournaments.

The published rating thresholds intentionally overlap. In addition, the tournament management reserves the right to admit a player rated below 1800 to Open A.

All eligible players must meet current FSI/FIDE participation requirements.

Italian players and foreign players residing in Italy must hold a valid FSI/FIDE membership card.

📅 Schedule

Players must complete attendance confirmation by 7:00 PM on Friday, October 9.

📝 Registration

Pre-registration is mandatory by October 8, 2026.

The organizer accepts late registrations on October 9, subject to an additional €10 / approx. $20 surcharge.

Players should register through the Vesus link provided on the official tournament page:

https://www.scacchinichelino.it/tornei/xxv-festival-internazionale-citta-di-nichelino/

Entry Fees

For registration-fee purposes, Under 18 means players born after December 31, 2007.

Family Discount

The organizer provides a 20% discount when two or more members of the same family register.

Payment

Players may pay in cash at the tournament venue or by bank transfer.

Account Name: A.S.D. Scacchi Nichelino
IBAN: IT42Q0306909606100000118398
Payment Reference: Player’s name, Festival registration

🏛️ Organizer

📍 Venue

Centro Polivalente Nicola Grosa – Via Tancredi Galimberti 3, 10042 Nichelino (TO), Italy.

The festival takes place at Centro Polivalente Nicola Grosa in Nichelino.

The venue stands inside a park and provides a well-stocked bar. Moreover, the organizer describes the facility as inclusive and free of architectural barriers, making it accessible to wheelchair users.

🏨 Accommodation

The organizer has arranged a partnership with EuroHotel Nichelino, approximately 1 km from the playing venue.

Players receive a 5% discount when they book directly with the hotel by email or telephone and state that they are participating in the chess tournament.

Players should mention their participation in the XXV Festival Internazionale Città di Nichelino when booking directly.

Meals

The tournament also has a meal arrangement with Replay Restaurant, near EuroHotel Nichelino.

Replay Restaurant – Via Cimarosa 21, Nichelino.

A complete tournament meal costs €16 / approx. $20 and includes:

• First course
• Main course
• Side dish
• Drink

✈️ How to Get There

By Air

Turin Airport (TRN) is the main airport serving Turin and Nichelino.

The airport railway station sits directly opposite the terminal’s Arrivals area. Trains connect Turin Airport with Torino Porta Susa in approximately 30 minutes, seven days a week.

Official airport rail information:

https://www.aeroportoditorino.it/en/tomove/parking-transport/by-train

From Turin

Nichelino forms part of the Turin metropolitan transport network.

GTT Line 14 connects central Turin with Via Amendola in Nichelino. Other local services also operate between Turin and Nichelino.

Official GTT information:

https://www.gtt.to.it/

Players should check the current GTT journey planner before travelling because routes and schedules can change before the tournament.

ℹ️ Other Information

Half-Point Bye

Each player may request one half-point bye during the first three rounds.

The request must be submitted in writing before the tournament begins.

Half-point byes are therefore available for Rounds 1, 2, or 3 only.

Default Time

Players may arrive up to 60 minutes after the scheduled start of a round.

A player who arrives more than 60 minutes late loses the game by forfeit.

Live Broadcast

The organizer will broadcast games from the top boards of Open A and Open B live.

Electronic Devices

Players are strictly prohibited from possessing phones or electronic devices in the playing hall.

Current FSI/FIDE regulations apply to electronic-device violations and other matters not specifically covered by the tournament regulations.

Accessibility

The playing venue provides inclusive, barrier-free spaces.

Players with mobility requirements can therefore access the tournament facility without architectural barriers.

Photography & Personal Data

By entering the festival, participants consent to the publication of tournament-related personal data, including their name, age, category, Elo rating, and results on Vesus, FSI platforms, and related websites.

The organizer may also publish photographs and videos taken during the tournament on A.S.D. Scacchi Nichelino’s website and social-media channels.

For minors, the regulations treat registration by parents or legal guardians as consent. Anyone who does not consent to the use of their image must explicitly notify the organizer during the event.

Festival History

The tournament’s published Hall of Fame dates back to 2000 and includes several titled international players.

Past champions include GM Francisco Vallejo Pons, GM Igor Naumkin, GM Solomon Kenny, GM Vladimir Petkov, and other international masters and grandmasters.

GM Oleg Korneev won the 2025 edition.

Official Tournament Information

https://www.scacchinichelino.it/tornei/xxv-festival-internazionale-citta-di-nichelino/

Organizer Website

https://www.scacchinichelino.it/

Official Accommodation

https://www.eurohoteltorino.it/en-gb