The Chess Cruise from Portugal to Argentina 2027 will take place from December 2–17, 2027 aboard the Norwegian Star. Organized by Schachreisen, the event combines a 15-night transatlantic cruise from Lisbon to Buenos Aires with a nine-round international classical chess tournament.
The voyage crosses the Atlantic with stops in Cape Verde, Brazil and Uruguay before finishing in Argentina. The chess tournament will be played as a 9-round Swiss with a time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move and is scheduled for both DWZ and FIDE Elo rating.
The chess program is planned to be led by GM Jörg Hickl and IM Erik Zude. Alongside the main tournament, the program includes Game of the Day sessions and additional chess activities during the cruise.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏷️ Event | Chess Cruise from Portugal to Argentina 2027 |
| 📅 Dates | December 2–17, 2027 |
| 🚢 Ship | Norwegian Star |
| 🌍 Start | Lisbon, Portugal |
| 🏁 Finish | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| 🧭 Route | Lisbon → Porto Grande → Recife → Rio de Janeiro → Montevideo → Buenos Aires |
| 👥 Organizer | Schachreisen |
| ♟️ Format | Classical |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| 🔄 System | Swiss |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move |
| ⭐ Rating | DWZ and FIDE Elo |
| 🎯 Title Norms | No |
| 💰 Main Tournament Prizes | €600 – approximately $680 |
| 👤 Planned Chess Hosts | GM Jörg Hickl & IM Erik Zude |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament will be played over nine rounds using the Swiss system.
Each player receives:
90 minutes for the entire game plus a 30-second increment per move from move one.
The published default time is 30 minutes.
The tournament is scheduled for both DWZ and FIDE Elo rating, while title norms are not available.
A valid FIDE ID is mandatory for participation.
The published tiebreak order for prize allocation is:
- Points
- Buchholz with variation
- Buchholz without cut scores
🏆 Prize Fund
The published main tournament prizes total:
€600 – approximately $680
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | €200 |
| 🥈 2nd | €150 |
| 🥉 3rd | €100 |
| 4th | €50 |
| 5th | €50 |
| 6th | €50 |
In addition to the main tournament prizes, the organizer will raffle three Schachreisen vouchers worth €100 each among tournament participants.
A player may not receive more than one of these raffle prizes.
The organizer also publishes a €100 download credit for Schach-Seminare as the prize for the best game of a round.
These additional vouchers and credits are separate from the €600 main tournament prize total.
📅 Schedule
The tournament rounds are primarily scheduled on sea days, leaving the principal port days available for sightseeing and shore activities.
| Date | Cruise & Chess Program |
|---|---|
| December 2 | Lisbon, Portugal – embarkation; welcome meeting time to be confirmed |
| December 3 | Sea day – Round 1 at 10:00; Game of the Day / chess program from 15:00 |
| December 4 | Sea day – Round 2 at 10:00; Game of the Day / chess program from 15:00 |
| December 5 | Sea day – Round 3 at 10:00; Game of the Day / chess program from 15:00 |
| December 6 | Porto Grande, Cape Verde – 08:00–16:00; evening program at 21:00 |
| December 7 | Sea day – Round 4 at 10:00; Game of the Day / chess program from 15:00 |
| December 8 | Sea day – Round 5 at 10:00; Game of the Day / chess program from 15:00 |
| December 9 | Sea day – Round 6 at 10:00; Game of the Day / chess program from 15:00 |
| December 10 | Recife, Brazil – 09:00–18:00; evening program at 21:00 |
| December 11 | Sea day – Round 7 at 10:00; Game of the Day / chess program from 15:00 |
| December 12 | Sea day – Round 8 at 10:00; Game of the Day / chess program from 15:00; evening program at 21:00 |
| December 13 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 08:00–17:00; evening program at 21:00 |
| December 14 | Sea day – Round 9 at 10:00; Game of the Day from 15:00; Prize Ceremony at 17:00 |
| December 15 | Sea day |
| December 16 | Montevideo, Uruguay – 08:00–17:00 |
| December 17 | Buenos Aires, Argentina – disembarkation from approximately 05:45 |
Cruise itineraries, onboard rooms and chess-program times may change according to operational or local conditions.
📝 Registration
Participation in the chess tournament is available only through the Schachreisen cruise arrangement.
External tournament-only participation is not available.
The tournament entry fee is included in the cruise package.
A valid FIDE ID is required.
Players who do not yet have a FIDE ID may contact the tournament management. The current tournament information asks that FIDE ID requests through the organizer be made by:
October 1, 2027
Bookings are accepted while the Schachreisen cabin allocation remains available, with the currently published final deadline of:
July 25, 2027
Information and booking:
https://www.schachturnier-auf-see.de/
👤 Organizer
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Organizer Name | Schachreisen |
| Contact Person | GM Jörg Hickl |
| info@schachreisen.eu | |
| Phone | +49 6126 958345 |
📍 Venue
Norwegian Star – transatlantic cruise from Lisbon, Portugal to Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Norwegian Star serves as both the tournament venue and accommodation throughout the event.
The ship travels from Lisbon across the Atlantic with calls in Cape Verde, Brazil and Uruguay before reaching Buenos Aires.
The exact onboard rooms used for chess activities may vary according to the ship’s operational arrangements.
🏨 Accommodation
Accommodation is aboard the Norwegian Star and is booked as part of the Schachreisen travel package.
Double Occupancy
| Cabin Type | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| Inside Cabin | From €1,799 |
| Outside Cabin | From €1,999 |
| Balcony Cabin | From €2,699 |
Single Occupancy
| Cabin Type | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| Inside Cabin | From €2,999 |
| Outside Cabin | From €3,199 |
| Balcony Cabin | From €4,999 |
Suites and additional cabin categories are available on request.
Cruise prices are subject to availability and may change.
Included
The current Schachreisen package includes:
- cruise from Lisbon to Buenos Aires;
- participation in onboard events and use of most ship facilities;
- full board, with supplements possible at some specialty restaurants;
- coffee and tea with main meals;
- Schachreisen group support;
- port and security fees;
- travel-price protection;
- chess tournament and chess program; and
- supporting program.
Not Included
The package does not include:
- travel to Lisbon or onward travel from Buenos Aires;
- transfers;
- personal onboard expenses;
- additional onboard services such as spa treatments;
- shore excursions;
- travel insurance; or
- onboard gratuities.
The current Norwegian Cruise Line voluntary crew gratuity referenced by the organizer is $20 per guest per day for the relevant cabin categories.
🚆 How to Get There
Participants arrange their own arrival in Lisbon and their onward journey from Buenos Aires.
Arrival in Lisbon
The cruise begins on December 2, 2027.
Flights and transfers to Lisbon are not included in the Schachreisen package.
Schachreisen plans to inform participants once the travel arrangements of its own team are known, giving participants the option of coordinating travel with the group.
Participants should use the final Norwegian Cruise Line travel documents for the exact cruise terminal and mandatory boarding time.
Departure from Buenos Aires
The cruise ends in Buenos Aires on December 17, 2027.
Disembarkation is currently scheduled to begin at approximately 05:45.
Return flights and transfers are arranged individually.
ℹ️ Other Information
The Norwegian Star itinerary includes:
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Porto Grande, Cape Verde
- Recife, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Montevideo, Uruguay
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
The planned chess team consists of:
GM Jörg Hickl – organization, group support and chess program
IM Erik Zude – group support, chess program and tournament direction
The final composition of the chess team may depend on the number of participants, and the organizer does not guarantee the presence of a specific lecturer if circumstances change.
Additional Chess Program
Alongside the nine tournament rounds, the current schedule includes Game of the Day sessions and an accompanying chess program.
Additional activities may be adjusted according to the number of participants and the cruise schedule.
Tournament Conditions
Only players registered through the Schachreisen cruise package may participate.
A valid FIDE ID is mandatory.
Mobile phones are not permitted in the playing venue.
The organizer reserves the right to adapt the schedule to local and operational conditions aboard the ship.
For current tournament, cruise and booking information:
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $680
Organizer Name - Joerg Hickl / Schachreisen
Organizer Phone - +496126958345
Organizer Email - info@schachreisen.eu
Regulations -
Organizer
♟️ About Schachreisen
Schachreisen is a specialist chess travel, tournament, and training organization based in Hünstetten, Hesse, Germany. GM Jörg Hickl developed the concept in 1998, initially in cooperation with a German bridge-travel provider, and has operated Schachreisen independently since 2001. Unlike a conventional chess club, the organization combines serious tournament chess and professional coaching with organized holidays in destinations across Europe and further abroad.
Schachreisen has organized more than 120 chess trips and tournaments for over 3,000 participants. Its programs typically combine a FIDE- and/or DWZ-rated classical tournament with lectures, game analysis, training sessions, evening chess activities, and leisure time. Destinations have included the Canary Islands, Italy, Germany, Vietnam, Thailand, Bali, Singapore, Georgia, Jordan, and international cruise routes. The organization primarily serves adult club players, although individual events can accommodate a wider range of playing strengths.
GM Jörg Hickl remains the Founder, Tournament Organizer, Lead Coach, and principal contact. During 2026, Schachreisen organized seminar tournaments in Weimar, Lanzarote, Merano, and Oberaula. The next major project is the 11th Chess Tournament at Sea, a Panama Canal chess cruise from Los Angeles to New York from October 13–November 1, 2026. A further tournament and seminar trip to Aqaba, Jordan, from November 20–29, 2026 is also part of the current program, while several destinations for 2027 are already confirmed.
📜 Development of Schachreisen
The concept behind Schachreisen began in 1998, when Jörg Hickl combined organized holidays with a dedicated chess program in cooperation with the Wiesbadener Bridgeschule. From 2001, Hickl continued the project independently and gradually expanded the range of destinations and tournament formats.
The model differs from a conventional chess festival because participants normally book a complete chess holiday. The tournament forms the competitive core, while professional instruction and group activities continue around the playing schedule.
Over the years, the program has expanded from European hotel-based seminars to long-distance destinations and chess cruises. Previous trips have included Bali, Thailand, Singapore, the Caribbean, the Canary Islands, and transatlantic routes. Consequently, Schachreisen has developed a distinctive niche combining chess competition, coaching, and international travel.
🏆 Tournaments, Seminars and Training
Most Schachreisen seminar tournaments feature seven rounds of classical chess and are submitted for FIDE Elo and/or German DWZ rating, depending on the individual event.
A defining feature is the training program surrounding the tournament. After the games, participants can analyze important positions and complete games with titled instructors. In addition, programs frequently include lectures, thematic training, game-of-the-day sessions, practical exercises, rapid or blitz chess, and informal evening activities.
The instructor team varies according to the destination. Alongside GM Jörg Hickl, recent programs have featured IM Dr. Erik Zude and GM Michael Prusikin. The wider Schachreisen coaching network also includes experienced titled players such as WFM Dijana Dengler and WFM Franziska Beltz.
Schachreisen additionally provides individual chess training, lectures, simultaneous exhibitions, and chess publications. Therefore, its activity extends beyond the organized travel program itself.
🌍 2026–2027 International Chess Travel
The 2026 program began with the first Weimar seminar tournament in January, followed by the 12th Lanzarote Seminar Tournament in March and the 5th Merano Gourmet and Wellness Chess Trip in May.
From August 15–23, 2026, Schachreisen organized its 21st seminar tournament in Oberaula, Hesse. The nine-day program at Parkhotel Zum Stern combined a seven-round Elo/DWZ tournament with instruction from GM Jörg Hickl, GM Michael Prusikin, and IM Erik Zude.
The next major event is the Panama Canal Chess Cruise from October 13–November 1, 2026 aboard Norwegian Bliss. Players will travel from Los Angeles to New York while competing in a seven-round FIDE- and DWZ-rated tournament. Additional analysis sessions and rapid or blitz activities are incorporated into the onboard chess program.
Schachreisen then plans a Jordan chess trip from November 20–29, 2026 at the Kempinski Hotel Aqaba on the Red Sea. The published program combines another seven-round Elo/DWZ tournament with coaching by GM Jörg Hickl and IM Erik Zude.
The 2027 calendar already includes Vietnam, Lanzarote, Tbilisi, Merano, Weimar, and another long-distance chess cruise, continuing the organization’s combination of international travel and tournament chess.
👤 GM Jörg Hickl
Jörg Hickl is a German Grandmaster, chess trainer, author, publisher, and tournament organizer. He earned the Grandmaster title in 1988 and won the German Individual Chess Championship in 1998.
His competitive experience and long coaching career shape the Schachreisen concept. Hickl personally accompanies many of the trips, conducts lectures and game analysis, and works with the other titled coaches who join individual programs.
He also handles the organizational side of Schachreisen, including participant communication and booking information. As a result, he remains the most appropriate direct contact for tournament participation, chess seminars, cruises, and other Schachreisen programs.
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