2nd Kansai Classic Masters (KCM) 2026 is a nationally rated standard chess tournament taking place on December 26–27, 2026 at Chessaka in Esaka, Suita City, Osaka, Japan.
Organized by Caissa Osaka Chess Club, the event features five Swiss-system rounds with a time control of 30 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. The tournament is designed for players who want longer over-the-board games while still completing a full competition over a single weekend.
Participation is limited to 22 players. Both Japan Chess Federation members and non-members may enter, although non-JCF players pay an additional participation fee.
♟️ Event Details
| 🏷️ Event name | 2nd Kansai Classic Masters (KCM) 2026 |
| 📅 Dates | December 26–27, 2026 |
| 🇯🇵 City / Country | Suita, Osaka, Japan |
| 📍 Venue | Chessaka – Caissa Japan GK, Room 502, Esaka Business Zone, 18-37 Toyotsucho, Suita-shi, Osaka 564-0051, Japan |
| ♟️ Format | Standard |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 |
| 🧩 System | Individual Swiss system |
| 📊 Rating | Japan national rating |
| 👥 Maximum players | 22 |
| 👨💼 Tournament Director | Leonard Brinkmann |
| 👨⚖️ Chief Arbiter | Leonard Brinkmann |
| 👥 Organizer | Caissa Osaka Chess Club |
| 🌐 Official website | https://www.caissajp.com/event-details/2nd-kansai-classic-masters-kcm |
| 🏆 Chess-Results | https://chess-results.com/tnr1483880.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament consists of five rounds played according to the Swiss system.
| ⏱️ Time control | 30 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 |
| 🧩 Pairing system | Individual Swiss system |
| 📊 Rating calculation | Japan national rating |
| 💻 Pairing software | Swiss-Manager |
| 🏆 Pairings / Results | https://chess-results.com/tnr1483880.aspx?lan=1 |
The 30-second increment applies from move one.
The event is nationally rated in Japan. It is not currently listed as a FIDE-rated tournament.
📅 Schedule
The official tournament period is:
| 📅 Date | ⏰ Official Event Window |
|---|---|
| December 26, 2026 | Tournament begins at 14:00 |
| December 27, 2026 | Tournament continues; scheduled completion by 17:30 |
Five standard-rated rounds will be played across the two days.
The organizer has not yet published a detailed round-by-round timetable specifically for the 2nd Kansai Classic Masters. Therefore, players should check the official event page before the tournament for updated round times and check-in instructions.
📝 Registration
Online registration is available directly through Caissa Osaka Chess Club:
https://www.caissajp.com/event-details/2nd-kansai-classic-masters-kcm
Ticket sales are scheduled to close on December 24, 2026 at 23:50.
Entry Fees
| 👤 Category | 💴 Entry Fee | 💵 Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| JCF Member – General | ¥6,000 | approx. $40 |
| JCF Member – Caissa Student | ¥5,000 | approx. $40 |
| Non-JCF – General | ¥8,000 | approx. $60 |
| Non-JCF – Caissa Student | ¥7,000 | approx. $50 |
Players who are not registered with the Japan Chess Federation pay an additional ¥2,000 compared with the corresponding JCF-member fee.
Participants should select the correct ticket according to their JCF membership and Caissa student status.
Because participation is limited to 22 players, early registration is recommended.
👥 Organizer
| 👥 Organizer | Caissa Osaka Chess Club |
| 👤 Contact Person | Leonard Brinkmann |
| ✉️ Email | contact@caissajp.com |
| 📞 Phone | +81 70-5432-6915 |
📍 Venue
Chessaka – Caissa Japan GK, Room 502, Esaka Business Zone, 18-37 Toyotsucho, Suita-shi, Osaka 564-0051, Japan
Chessaka is Caissa Osaka Chess Club’s dedicated chess center in Esaka, Suita City. It hosts the club’s tournaments, training sessions, youth events and regular over-the-board chess activities.
The venue is located approximately five minutes on foot from Esaka Station, making it convenient for players travelling from central Osaka or Shin-Osaka.
🚆 How to Get There
🚇 By Metro
The nearest station is Esaka Station.
Esaka Station is served by the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line and the Kita-Osaka Kyuko Line.
From central Osaka, players can travel north directly on the Midosuji Line toward Esaka. Furthermore, players arriving by Shinkansen at Shin-Osaka Station can continue directly to Esaka without changing lines.
🚶 From Esaka Station
Chessaka is approximately five minutes’ walk from Esaka Station.
The destination is:
Esaka Business Zone, Room 502
18-37 Toyotsucho
Suita-shi, Osaka 564-0051
Japan
Players should allow additional time on the opening day so they arrive before the tournament begins at 14:00.
ℹ️ Other Information
The Kansai Classic Masters is Caissa Osaka Chess Club’s weekend standard-chess tournament series.
The first edition takes place in September 2026, while the second edition concludes Caissa’s 2026 tournament calendar on December 26–27.
Unlike the club’s rapid and youth events, the Kansai Classic Masters uses a longer 30+30 standard time control. Therefore, it is aimed particularly at players seeking more serious tournament practice and games that count toward the Japanese national rating system.
The tournament is open to both JCF members and non-members. However, non-members should make sure to purchase the appropriate ticket that includes the additional ¥2,000 fee.
Official Tournament & Registration Page:
https://www.caissajp.com/event-details/2nd-kansai-classic-masters-kcm
Caissa Osaka Chess Club:
https://www.caissajp.com/
Chess-Results:
https://chess-results.com/tnr1483880.aspx?lan=1
Additional Details
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Caissa Osaka Chess Club is a chess academy and tournament organizer based in Osaka, Japan, operating under Caissa Japan GK. The Japan Chess Federation recognizes it as an official registered chess club, with Leonard Brinkmann listed as its representative. The club promotes chess throughout Osaka and the wider Kansai region through structured instruction, school programs, community activities, and over-the-board competition. Its training program serves children and adults at different playing levels and incorporates the internationally established Step Method. The coaching team includes experienced competitive players and FIDE-qualified instructors, while its educational activities focus on calculation, logical reasoning, planning, concentration, and practical tournament preparation.
🏆 Tournaments and Chess Events
Caissa Osaka Chess Club organizes standard, rapid, blitz, scholastic, team, open, and age-group competitions. Its tournament program includes FIDE-rated events as well as competitions rated by the Japan Chess Federation. Events connected with the club include the Osaka Wine Cup, Kansai Rapid Masters, Kansai Blitz Masters, and scholastic tournaments for international and local schools. In May 2026, the club organized the first MBIS Kobe Open Scholastic Chess Tournament, bringing together students from schools across the Kansai region and beyond. Caissa Osaka is also one of the organizing clubs behind the Japan Chess Classic 2026, together with Osaka Abeno Chess Club, Osaka En Passant Chess Club, and the Japan Chess Federation.
🌱 Chess Education and Regional Development
The club combines regular coaching with practical competitive opportunities, allowing students to progress from introductory lessons to nationally and internationally rated tournaments. It works with schools and families in Osaka, Kobe, and other parts of Kansai, while also developing scholastic events in other Japanese cities. The Osaka operation is managed by Leonard Brinkmann, an experienced chess instructor and tournament organizer who teaches in English, German, and Japanese. Through cooperation with schools, other Japanese chess clubs, professional coaches, arbiters, and the national federation, Caissa Osaka Chess Club helps expand access to organized chess and supports a modern, internationally connected chess community in Japan.
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