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

The Open features nine rounds of FIDE-rated classical chess with a time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move. The tournament is valid for FIDE Standard rating and may provide opportunities for GM, IM, WGM and WIM norms, provided all applicable FIDE requirements are met.

The tournament offers a total prize fund of €4,000, approximately $4,510, across overall, rating, women’s and age categories. The organizer has confirmed a new playing venue for the festival: Centro Cultural Cooperante Margarita Burón in Alcorcón.

♟️ Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

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

The time control is:

90 minutes for the game plus a 30-second increment per move from move one.

The tournament is valid for FIDE Standard rating. Players may also achieve GM, IM, WGM or WIM norms when 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 number of points, 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.

Round 1 pairings are scheduled to be published on December 25, 2026 at 22:00.

🏆 Prize Fund

The tournament offers a total prize fund of:

€4,000 – approximately $4,510

Overall Prizes

Rating Prizes

Women’s Prizes

Age Category Prizes

Age eligibility is determined 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 award, the higher-value prize will be awarded. If two applicable prizes have the same value, priority follows the order of categories in the official regulations.

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

Players must attend the prize-giving ceremony to receive their prizes.

👥 Sections / Groups

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

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

Special prizes 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

📝 Registration

The entry fee is:

€40 for all players.

The following players are considered invited:

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

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

The registration deadline is:

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 after payment of the entry fee.

Bank account: ES66 2100 5522 7602 0014 4651
Account holder: Club Deportivo Elemental Diagonal Alcorcón
Payment reference: V Festival Diagonal + Player’s full name

Players are advised to send proof of payment to the organizer by email.

All participants registered under the Spanish flag must hold a valid 2026 chess licence.

Visa Invitations

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

👤 Organizer

Arbiters

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

📍 Venue

Centro Cultural Cooperante Margarita Burón – C. Copenhague, 57, 28922 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain

The organizer has confirmed Centro Cultural Cooperante Margarita Burón as the new playing venue for the V Diagonal Alcorcón Christmas Chess Festival.

The municipal cultural center is located in the 28922 district of Alcorcón and contains more than 2,000 square meters of cultural and community space.

All rounds of the V International Christmas Open Diagonal Alcorcon will be played at this venue.

Google Maps:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DJ45MrKDappLtGhP8

🚆 How to Get There

The venue is located at C. Copenhague, 57 in Alcorcón, southwest of central Madrid.

🚇 By Metro

The official Alcorcón municipal information recommends Metro Line 12 (MetroSur).

Use Parque Oeste station for access to the area around Centro Cultural Cooperante Margarita Burón.

🚆 By Cercanías

The venue is also accessible through Madrid’s suburban rail network.

Use Cercanías Line C-5 and travel to Las Retamas station.

Line C-5 provides connections between Alcorcón and Madrid, making rail travel practical for players staying elsewhere in the metropolitan area.

✈️ From Madrid Airport

International visitors arriving at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) can travel into the Madrid public-transport network and continue toward Alcorcón using Cercanías and MetroSur services.

Players should check their preferred connection before travelling, especially during holiday-period service changes.

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 before publication of the pairing for the requested 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 an arbiter are prohibited in the playing hall.

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

• completely switched off;
• stored inside a bag; and
• left in the playing hall 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 an 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 are required to continue recording their moves throughout the game.

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

🛡️ Fair Play

A 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 completion of the relevant game.

Appeal deposit: €60

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 tournament 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 regulations are the Spanish-language version displayed in the playing hall.