XII Open Internacional Villa de Santa Pola 2026
The XII Open Internacional Villa de Santa Pola 2026 takes place on Saturday, December 19, 2026, in Santa Pola, Alicante, Spain. G.R.D. de Ajedrez Tablero Santapolero organizes the seven-round FIDE-rated Blitz tournament at the Edificio La Senia, with play scheduled from 10:00 to 14:00.
The tournament has one Open field with a maximum capacity of 90 players. In addition to the overall standings, cash prizes are available for several rating, age, local and women’s categories. The published cash prizes total €1,050 (approx. $1,200), while trophies and additional gifts are awarded in selected categories.
Current tournament information lists a time control of 7 minutes + 3 seconds per move. However, the current FEDA tournament registration records 5 minutes + 3 seconds per move for the same FIDE-rated event. Therefore, players should confirm the final rate of play with the organizer before the tournament.
♟️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Date | December 19, 2026 |
| 🌍 Country | Spain |
| 📍 City | Santa Pola, Alicante |
| 🏛️ Venue | Edificio La Senia |
| ♟️ Format | 7-round Swiss, Blitz |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE Blitz rated |
| 👥 Capacity | Maximum 90 players |
| 🕙 Playing Time | 10:00–14:00 |
| 🏆 Cash Prizes | €1,050 (approx. $1,200) |
| 👥 Organizer | G.R.D. de Ajedrez Tablero Santapolero |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The XII Open Internacional Villa de Santa Pola 2026 consists of seven rounds played under the Swiss system.
Published tournament information currently gives the rate of play as 7 minutes + 3 seconds per move from move one.
However, the current FEDA registration for the same tournament lists 5 minutes + 3 seconds per move. Because these two current records conflict, players should confirm the final official time control with the organizer before play begins.
The tournament is registered for FIDE Blitz rating.
🏆 Prize Fund
The published cash prizes total €1,050 (approx. $1,200). Trophies and non-cash gifts are additional and are not included in the cash total.
| Prize | Award |
|---|---|
| 1st Overall | Trophy + €300 (approx. $350) |
| 2nd Overall | Trophy + €200 (approx. $230) |
| 3rd Overall | Trophy + €150 (approx. $180) |
| 4th Overall | €100 (approx. $120) |
| 5th Overall | €70 (approx. $80) |
| 1st U1900 | €50 (approx. $60) |
| 1st U1700 | €30 (approx. $40) |
| 1st Local Club Player | Trophy + €50 (approx. $60) |
| 1st Veteran 65+ | Trophy + €50 (approx. $60) |
| 1st Woman | Trophy + €50 (approx. $60) |
| 1st U18 | Trophy + gift |
| 1st U14 | Trophy + gift |
In addition, the organizer will hold a surprise-gift draw among participants who do not win another prize.
🧩 Sections / Groups
The tournament is played as one Open section.
The U1900, U1700, local club, Veteran 65+, women’s, U18 and U14 classifications are prize categories rather than separate tournament sections.
Spanish-flag players must hold a valid federation licence. Players representing another federation must have a FIDE ID.
🗓️ Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, December 19 | Until 09:30 | Final on-site registration, subject to remaining capacity |
| Saturday, December 19 | 10:00 | Tournament begins |
| Saturday, December 19 | 10:00–14:00 | Seven Blitz rounds |
Individual round starting times have not been published.
📝 Registration
Completing the tournament registration form is mandatory.
General entry fee: €15 (approx. $20)
Club members: €10 (approx. $20)
On-site registration: €20 (approx. $30), available until 09:30 only if places remain.
The tournament is limited to 90 players.
Payment
Bank transfer:
CaixaBank
Account holder: G.R.D. DE AJEDREZ TABLERO SANTAPOLERO
IBAN: ES60 2100 4154 1313 0036 5802
Bank transfers must be completed by December 15, 2026.
Bizum:
+34 622 046 649 – A. Blasco
Payment confirmation should be sent to:
Email: tablerosantapolero@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +34 629 565 007
A player is not added to the official Info64 entry list until payment has been received.
The direct registration form is available through the tournament information page:
https://www.ajedrezvalenciano.com/2026/09/19-diciembre-xii-open-internacional-de.html
👥 Organizer
Organizer: G.R.D. de Ajedrez Tablero Santapolero
Email: tablerosantapolero@gmail.com
Phone / WhatsApp: +34 629 565 007
📍 Venue
Edificio La Senia – C/ Elche 55, 03130 Santa Pola, Alicante, Spain
The tournament is played in the multipurpose room of Edificio La Senia, opposite Mercadona.
The organizer also identifies several nearby parking areas around Carrefour, Lidl, Aldi, Mercadona and the Castillo area. Availability is not guaranteed, so players arriving by car should allow extra time before the 10:00 start.
🏨 Accommodation
Several accommodation options are available in and around central Santa Pola.
| Accommodation | Details |
|---|---|
| Quatre Llunes | C/ Marqués de Molins 41. Centrally located near the port and town centre. Published low-season rooms start from €55 per night. |
| Hotel Polamar | C/ Astilleros 12. Central seafront hotel close to Santa Pola’s port and Playa de Levante. |
| Hotel Gran Playa | Av. Zaragoza 42. Three-star hotel in the Gran Playa area of Santa Pola. |
Quatre Llunes publishes low-season room prices from €55 per night, although tournament-weekend availability and final rates may differ.
Official websites:
https://hotelquatrellunes.com/
https://www.hotelgranplaya.es/
🚆 How to Get There
By air: Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is the nearest major airport. A direct Vectalia bus service connects the airport with Santa Pola, with a published journey time of approximately 30 minutes.
Airport bus: The airport–Santa Pola service also passes through El Altet, Arenales del Sol and Gran Alacant. Players should check the current timetable before travelling because schedules can vary.
By rail: Santa Pola does not have a mainline railway station. Players travelling by train can continue toward Santa Pola from Alicante or Elche by bus, taxi or other local transport.
By car: Santa Pola is accessible via the N-332 coastal road. For the tournament venue, use C/ Elche 55, 03130 Santa Pola.
ℹ️ Other Information
Spanish-flag players must have a valid federation licence. Players from other federations must have a valid FIDE ID.
The field is limited to 90 players. Therefore, advance registration and payment are recommended.
The organizer will not place a player on the official Info64 entry list until payment has been received.
The exact tiebreak system has not yet been published in the current tournament information.
A surprise gift will also be drawn among participants who do not receive another tournament prize.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $1,200
Organizer
♟️ About G.R.D. Ajedrez Tablero Santapolero
G.R.D. Ajedrez Tablero Santapolero, also known as Club de Ajedrez Tablero Santapolero, is an active chess club based in Santa Pola, Alicante, Spain. The club is affiliated with the Federación de Ajedrez de la Comunidad Valenciana (FACV) and participates in organized chess activities across the Valencian Community.
The club operates from the Centro de Convivencia in Edificio La Senia, on Calle Elche in Santa Pola. This venue also serves as the playing location for many of the club’s tournaments and community chess activities.
Tablero Santapolero brings together players of different ages and playing strengths. Its members participate in regional team competitions, individual tournaments, and locally organized events. The club therefore combines regular competitive chess with activities designed to promote the game within Santa Pola and the surrounding area.
🏆 Tournaments & Chess Activities
One of the club’s principal events is the Open Internacional de Ajedrez Villa de Santa Pola, which has become an established annual tournament. The competition reached its 12th edition in 2026 and attracts players from Santa Pola, the Valencian Community, other parts of Spain, and abroad.
The XII Open Internacional Villa de Santa Pola 2026 is organized as a seven-round FIDE-rated blitz tournament. It takes place at Edificio La Senia and offers more than €1,000 in prizes across the general classification and several rating, junior, women’s, veteran, and local categories.
The club also organizes the Torneo de Ajedrez de Verano – Villa de Santa Pola Blitz Sub-2000. This summer competition reached its third edition in 2026 and provides another regular competitive opportunity for local and visiting players.
In addition to open tournaments, Tablero Santapolero participates in official FACV team competitions. Its registered roster includes players across a broad rating range, demonstrating the club’s combination of experienced competitors and developing players.
🌱 Chess in the Santa Pola Community
Beyond formal tournaments, the club contributes to the promotion of chess in the local community. Previous initiatives have included outdoor chess activities under the “Ajedrez al Carrer” concept, bringing boards and chess demonstrations into public areas of Santa Pola.
These activities complement the club’s tournament program by making chess more visible and accessible. They also provide opportunities for younger players and newcomers to become involved with the game before progressing to formal competition.
The club regularly cooperates with local institutions and uses centrally located municipal facilities for its events. Its annual tournaments have consequently become part of Santa Pola’s wider sporting calendar.
📚 Tournament Tradition
The Villa de Santa Pola Open has developed into the club’s most recognizable recurring competition. Recent editions have been held in memory of Cayetano Alberto Sánchez Trives, maintaining a connection between the tournament and the local chess community.
The event has attracted titled players as well as club competitors and juniors. Over successive editions, the organizers have continued to offer FIDE-rated chess while maintaining separate prizes for different categories and playing levels.
Together with its summer tournament, regional league participation, and community initiatives, this annual program has established Tablero Santapolero as an active chess organization in the southern Alicante area.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
