The V International Christmas Open Diagonal Alcorcón 2026 will take place in Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain, from December 26–30, 2026. Organized by Alcorcón City Council and Club de Ajedrez Diagonal Alcorcón, the tournament forms part of the fifth edition of the club’s Christmas Chess Festival.

The Open offers 9 rounds of FIDE-rated classical chess at a time control of 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move. The event is valid for FIDE Standard rating and may also provide opportunities for GM, IM, WGM and WIM norms, subject to the applicable FIDE requirements.

Players will compete for a total prize fund of €4,000 (approx. $4,550), including overall prizes, rating prizes, women’s prizes and several age-category awards.

♟️ Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament will be played over 9 rounds using the Swiss system.

The time control is:

90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move from move one.

The event is valid for FIDE Standard rating. In addition, players may achieve GM, IM, WGM or WIM norms if all applicable FIDE title-norm requirements are satisfied.

The December 2026 FIDE Standard rating list will be used for the initial ranking and for determining eligibility for rating-category prizes.

Tie-Break Criteria

If two or more players finish with the same score, the following tie-break criteria apply in order:

1. REP – Number of games the player has chosen to play
2. Buchholz Cut 1
3. Buchholz
4. APRO – Average Performance Rating of Opponents
5. Drawing of Lots

The initial ranking, pairings and requested byes will be published through Info64 and Chess-Results.

The Round 1 pairings are scheduled to be published on December 25 at 22:00.

🏆 Prize Fund

The total prize fund is:

€4,000 (approx. $4,550)

Overall Prizes

Rating Prizes

Women’s Prizes

Age Category Prizes

Age eligibility is defined as follows:

• Over 50: born in 1976 or earlier
• Under 18: born in 2008 or later
• Under 16: born in 2010 or later
• Under 14: born in 2012 or later
• Under 12: born in 2014 or later
• Under 10: born in 2016 or later
• Under 8: born in 2018 or later

Prizes are not cumulative.

If a player qualifies for more than one prize, the prize with the highest value will be awarded. If two applicable prizes have the same value, the prize will be determined according to the order in which the categories appear in the regulations.

Prizes above €300 are subject to the withholding tax required under applicable Spanish legislation.

Players must attend the prize-giving ceremony to be eligible for their prize.

🧩 Sections / Groups

The event is played as one Open Swiss-system tournament.

Players of different ratings, ages and national federations compete together in the same field.

Special awards are available for:

• overall standings;
• Under 2200;
• Under 2100;
• Under 2000;
• Under 1900;
• women;
• Over 50; and
• junior categories from Under 18 through Under 8.

The December 2026 FIDE Standard rating list determines eligibility for rating-category prizes.

🗓️ Schedule

Saturday, December 26, 2026

Sunday, December 27, 2026

Monday, December 28, 2026

Tuesday, December 29, 2026

Wednesday, December 30, 2026

📝 Registration

The entry fee is:

€40 (approx. $50) for all players.

Invited Players

The following players are considered invited:

• GM
• IM
• FM
• players rated above 2200 on the December 2026 FIDE Standard rating list

Invited players must initially pay the €40 entry fee as a deposit. The deposit will be refunded if they complete the tournament without withdrawing.

Registration Deadline

Wednesday, December 23, 2026 at 21:00

Registration must be submitted by email to:

torneos@ajedrezdiagonal.es

Players must provide:

• full name;
• date of birth;
• FIDE ID;
• chess club; and
• telephone number.

Registration becomes final once the entry fee has been received.

Spanish-flagged players must hold a valid 2026 chess licence.

Players are responsible for checking that their published information, including rating, category and requested byes, is correct.

Visa Invitations

Non-resident players who require an official tournament invitation for a Spanish visa application must send the organizers proof of their hotel or apartment reservation covering the tournament period.

👤 Organizer

Organizer: Club de Ajedrez Diagonal Alcorcón & Ayuntamiento de Alcorcón
Contact Person: Alfredo Pérez Bruni – Tournament Director
Email: torneos@ajedrezdiagonal.es
Phone: +34 600 045 002

Arbiters

Chief Arbiter: IA Eduardo López Rodríguez
Deputy Arbiter: FA Juan Antonio Márquez León
Deputy Arbiter: FA Ramona Peñas Merino

📍 Venue

Teatro Buero Vallejo – Calle Los Robles, s/n, 28921 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain

The tournament will be held at the Centro Municipal de las Artes – Teatro Buero Vallejo, one of Alcorcón’s main cultural venues.

The municipal complex includes the theatre, cultural spaces and rooms used for courses, workshops and other activities.

Its location in Alcorcón provides access to Madrid’s suburban rail, bus and MetroSur networks.

🚆 How to Get There

🚆 By Cercanías

Alcorcón is served by Cercanías Line C-5.

Official transport information for Teatro Buero Vallejo identifies the C-5 suburban rail network as one of the principal ways to reach the venue from Madrid.

From the relevant Alcorcón station, players can continue to the theatre on foot, by local bus or taxi.

🚇 By MetroSur

The venue can also be reached through the MetroSur network.

Alcorcón Central is one of the principal MetroSur and public-transport interchange points serving the city.

Players should check their preferred route shortly before travelling.

🚌 By Bus

Bus services connect Alcorcón with Madrid and also operate within the city.

Official theatre information lists Line 512 from Madrid, while local services include Lines 520 and 2.

✈️ From Madrid Airport

International visitors arriving at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) can continue to Alcorcón using Madrid’s rail, metro, bus, taxi or ride-hailing networks.

Allow additional time for transfers and peak-period traffic.

ℹ️ Other Information

🤝 Sofia Rule

Players may not offer or accept a draw before both players have completed 30 moves.

In exceptional circumstances, an earlier draw requires the presence and approval of the Chief Arbiter.

⏰ Default Time

A 30-minute grace period applies.

After this time, the player loses the game unless the Chief Arbiter decides otherwise.

➗ Half-Point Byes

Players may request a maximum of three half-point byes in Rounds 1–7.

A bye must be requested no later than the end of the player’s game in the previous round and always before publication of the pairing for the relevant round.

🚫 No-Shows

An unjustified no-show results in elimination from the tournament.

If a no-show occurs in the final round, the player is not eligible for a prize.

In all cases, two no-shows result in elimination.

📱 Electronic Devices

Electronic devices that have not been specifically approved by the arbiter are prohibited in the playing hall.

A device may remain in the playing hall only if it is:

• completely switched off;
• stored inside a bag; and
• left in the playing hall even when the player temporarily leaves.

A mobile phone that rings, produces an alarm, is switched on or is used during a game results in loss of the game.

The arbiter team will not be responsible for storing mobile phones.

🚪 Playing Hall

Players may not leave the playing hall without the arbiter’s permission while their game is in progress.

After completing their game, players must leave the playing area.

Game analysis is not permitted inside the playing hall.

✍️ Scoresheets

Moves must be recorded clearly and legibly in algebraic notation.

With this time control, players may not stop recording moves.

The original scoresheet belongs to the organizers and must be handed to the arbiter after the game, signed and showing the correct result.

🛡️ Fair Play

Any player found using an electronic device capable of providing chess assistance may be immediately expelled from the tournament without refund.

Refusal to comply with arbiter instructions in a suspected fair-play case may also lead to expulsion.

⚖️ Appeals

Decisions of the Chief Arbiter may be appealed to a Competition Committee elected from among the players during Round 1.

An appeal must be submitted in writing within 30 minutes after the player finishes the relevant game.

Appeal deposit: €60 (approx. $70)

The deposit is refunded if the appeal is upheld.

📸 Photography & Media

Participants, accompanying persons and legal guardians consent to the use of photographs, video and relevant personal information for tournament coverage and promotion, including standings, websites, advertising and social media.

📌 Final Regulations

Any matter not covered by the regulations is governed by the applicable FIDE and FEDA regulations.

The organizers may amend the regulations because of force majeure, technical requirements or the interests of the competition.

The definitive version is the Spanish-language regulations displayed in the playing hall.