The 9th Farsala Halva Festival Individual Tournament 2026 will take place in Farsala, Thessaly, Greece, from November 12–15, 2026. Farsala Chess Club organizes the event together with the Municipality of Farsala and the Region of Thessaly. Moreover, the tournament continues a local chess tradition connected with the town’s well-known Halva Festival.

Players will compete in 7 rounds of classical chess within one Swiss-system group. The event counts for both FIDE international rating and Greek national rating. In addition, every player receives 90 minutes for the entire game plus a 30-second increment per move.

The updated regulations provide a €950 total cash prize fund (approx. $1,080). Furthermore, the organizers offer smartphones, chess books, chess gifts, cups and medals in several special categories.

♟️ Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament uses the Swiss system over 7 rounds, and all participants compete in one combined group. Players receive 90 minutes for the entire game plus 30 seconds after every move. Therefore, competitors must record their moves throughout the game.

Both FIDE and the Greek federation will include the results in their respective rating systems. Meanwhile, the pairing team manages the tournament with Swiss-Manager.

Half-Point Byes

Players may request a bye in any round. However, they should inform the organizers early enough to avoid problems with the pairing process.

During the first three rounds, a player may receive up to two half-point byes. After those rounds, the same half-point provision no longer applies.

Default Time

The organizers allow a 30-minute grace period after the scheduled start of each round. Consequently, a player who arrives later loses the game unless the arbiter makes a different decision.

If a player misses a round without appearing, the organizers treat that player as having withdrawn from the tournament.

Tie-Break Criteria

If players finish with the same score, the organizers apply the following criteria:

1. Total points
2. Direct score between tied players, provided all tied players have played each other
3. Buchholz Cut 1
4. Buchholz
5. Sonneborn-Berger

🏆 Prize Fund

The tournament offers €950 in cash prizes. In addition, several categories include smartphones, chess books, chess gifts, cups and medals.

Main Prizes

Special Prizes

Under-16 Prizes

Under-12 Prizes

Under-10 Prizes

Under-8 Prizes

A player may qualify for several categories. Nevertheless, the organizers give only the highest-value prize.

Players who withdraw lose their right to a prize. Moreover, the organizers give a special-category prize only when at least five eligible players compete in that category.

The Best Farsala Player award applies to players who either represent Farsala Chess Club or come from the Municipality of Farsala. Meanwhile, Chess-shop.gr provides the chess books and chess gifts for the junior categories.

🧩 Sections / Groups

The tournament has one combined Open group, so all players compete together in the same seven-round Swiss event.

However, the organizers also recognize several special categories for prize purposes. These categories do not create separate playing sections.

Special categories include:

• Women
• Over 50
• Under 20
• Under 16
• Girls Under 16
• Under 12
• Girls Under 12
• Under 10
• Girls Under 10
• Under 8
• Girls Under 8
• Best Farsala Player

Therefore, every player remains part of the same main tournament while still having the chance to qualify for an additional category prize.

🗓️ Schedule

Thursday, November 12, 2026

Friday, November 13, 2026

Saturday, November 14, 2026

Sunday, November 15, 2026

The schedule includes two rounds on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Therefore, players should plan enough time between games for meals and rest.

📝 Registration

Players need a valid Hellenic Chess Federation player card to participate. In addition, they must have paid the federation’s €10 card renewal fee for 2026.

Entry Fees

Participants pay the tournament entry fee after the organizers confirm registration and before the tournament starts.

Registration Deadline

November 12, 2026

Players can register through:

Email: farsala.chess.club@gmail.com
Phone: +30 693 677 8777

Although the deadline falls on the first day of the tournament, players should register earlier whenever possible. This approach gives the organizers enough time to confirm participation and prepare the first-round pairings.

👤 Organizer

Organizer Name: Farsala Chess Club
Contact Person: Dimosthenis Derekas
Email: farsala.chess.club@gmail.com
Phone: +30 693 677 8777

Farsala Chess Club organizes the tournament together with the Municipality of Farsala and the Region of Thessaly. Giorgos Bolas serves as Tournament Director.

📍 Venue

Cultural Center of Farsala – Leonidou 14, Farsala 403 00, Greece

The Cultural Center of Farsala hosts the tournament in central Farsala. The municipal venue regularly supports cultural, educational and community activities.

Because of its central position, players can reach local shops, cafés and other services without travelling far. In addition, visitors arriving from other parts of Thessaly can use Farsala as a convenient regional destination.

🚆 How to Get There

🚌 From Larissa

Larissa serves as one of the most practical regional transport hubs for players travelling to Farsala. Intercity buses connect Larissa and Farsala.

However, timetables can change by day. Therefore, players should check the latest bus schedule shortly before departure.

🚗 By Car

Farsala has road connections with several major cities and towns in central Greece, including:

• Larissa
• Volos
• Karditsa
• Trikala
• Lamia

Drivers can use the following destination:

Cultural Center of Farsala, Leonidou 14, Farsala 403 00

✈️ International Travel

International visitors will usually arrive through one of Greece’s larger airports and continue toward Thessaly by road, rail or bus.

Larissa can provide a useful connection for the final part of the journey. Nevertheless, visitors should confirm current transport schedules before booking the final transfer.

ℹ️ Other Information

⚖️ Appeals

A player must submit an appeal no later than 15 minutes after the final game of the relevant round finishes.

Appeal deposit: €50

The Appeals Committee consists of:

• 3 regular members
• 2 substitute members

The Organizing Committee chooses these members before Round 1. Afterwards, the committee resolves every appeal before the next-round pairings.

If the committee accepts an appeal in full or in part, the organizers return the deposit. Otherwise, they keep the fee.

⚖️ Arbiters & Pairings

The competent regional arbiters’ committee selects the Chief Arbiter and playing-hall arbiters. Likewise, the same regional structure selects the pairing officer.

The tournament team uses Swiss-Manager for pairings and standings.

⭐ Ratings

The tournament counts for:

• FIDE international rating
• Greek national rating

Therefore, results affect both international and national rating records.

🎁 Prize Conditions

Players who withdraw cannot receive prizes.

Moreover, each special-category prize requires at least five eligible participants. If a player qualifies for more than one category, the organizers give only the highest-value prize.

🌐 Official Information

Chess-Results:
https://chess-results.com/tnr1494130.aspx

Organizer:
Farsala Chess Club

Email:
farsala.chess.club@gmail.com

Phone:
+30 693 677 8777