10th Vardaris International Chess Tournament 2027
The 10th Vardaris International Chess Tournament 2027 will take place from March 11–15, 2027 in Thessaloniki, Greece. The milestone tenth edition will once again be hosted at the Holiday Inn Thessaloniki and will feature four independent tournament groups for players of different ratings and ages.
The tournament is organized by Chess Club SACH Thessaloniki in cooperation with the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the Region of Central Macedonia, the Hellenic Chess Federation, and the Thessaloniki–Chalkidiki Chess Clubs Union.
Players will compete over seven Swiss-system rounds with a classical time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. The tournament offers €6,000 / approx. $6,710 in cash prizes, together with €1,300 / approx. $1,460 in Modern Chess vouchers, bringing the total advertised prize value to €7,300 / approx. $8,160.
♟️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | March 11–15, 2027 |
| Country | Greece |
| City | Thessaloniki |
| Venue | Holiday Inn Thessaloniki |
| Format | 7-round Swiss System |
| Time Control | 90 min + 30 sec/move |
| Groups | A, B, C, D |
| Rating | FIDE Standard rated |
| Cash Prizes | €6,000 / approx. $6,710 |
| Additional Prizes | €1,300 / approx. $1,460 in Modern Chess vouchers |
| Total Prize Value | €7,300 / approx. $8,160 |
| Participation Limit | 420 players |
| Registration Deadline | March 8, 2027 |
| Organizer | Chess Club SACH Thessaloniki |
| Official Website | https://vardaris.com/ |
| Registration | https://vardaris.com/register/ |
| Regulations | https://vardaris.com/regulations/ |
| Chess-Results | https://s3.chess-results.com/tnr1512782.aspx?SNode=S0&lan=0 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
All four groups are played over seven rounds using the Swiss system.
The time control is:
90 minutes for the entire game plus a 30-second increment per move from move one.
The tournament is submitted for international FIDE rating calculations. Pairings are managed through Swiss-Manager and published on Chess-Results.
Forfeit Time
The forfeit time is 30 minutes.
A player arriving 30 minutes or more after the scheduled start of a round loses the game by forfeit.
Tie-Breaks
Final standings are determined using the following tie-break criteria:
- Buchholz
- Sonneborn-Berger
- Sum of Buchholz
🏆 Prize Fund
The tournament offers €6,000 / approx. $6,710 in cash prizes.
In addition, Modern Chess provides €1,300 / approx. $1,460 in vouchers, bringing the total advertised prize value to €7,300 / approx. $8,160.
Group A – Main Prizes
| Place | Cash Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €1,000 (~$1,120) |
| 2nd | €700 (~$790) |
| 3rd | €450 (~$510) |
| 4th | €300 (~$340) |
| 5th | €250 (~$280) |
| 6th | €200 (~$230) |
| 7th | €150 (~$170) |
| 8th | €100 (~$120) |
Group A – Special Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st Woman | €150 (~$170) + Trophy |
| 1st Veteran 50+ | €100 (~$120) + Medal |
| 1st U2300 | €100 (~$120) |
| 1st U2100 | €100 (~$120) |
| 1st U16 | Medal + €100 Modern Chess voucher |
| 1st U20 | Medal + €100 Modern Chess voucher |
Group B – Prizes
| Award | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €500 (~$560) + Trophy |
| 2nd | €300 (~$340) + Trophy |
| 3rd | €200 (~$230) + Trophy |
| 4th | €100 (~$120) + Medal |
| 5th | €100 (~$120) + Medal |
| 6th | €100 Modern Chess voucher |
| 7th | €100 Modern Chess voucher |
| 8th | €100 Modern Chess voucher |
| 1st Woman | €100 (~$120) + Trophy |
| 1st Veteran 50+ | €100 (~$120) + Medal |
Group C – Prizes
| Award | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €350 (~$400) + Trophy |
| 2nd | €200 (~$230) + Trophy |
| 3rd | €150 (~$170) + Trophy |
| 4th | €100 (~$120) + Medal |
| 5th | €100 Modern Chess voucher |
| 6th | €100 Modern Chess voucher |
| 7th | €100 Modern Chess voucher |
| 8th | €100 Modern Chess voucher |
| 1st Woman | €100 (~$120) + Trophy |
| 1st Unrated | €100 (~$120) + Medal |
Group D – U12 Awards
| Award | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | Trophy + €100 Modern Chess voucher |
| 2nd | Trophy + €100 Modern Chess voucher |
| 3rd | Trophy + €100 Modern Chess voucher |
| 1st Girl | Trophy + €100 Modern Chess voucher |
| 1st–3rd U8 | Medals |
| 1st U8 Girl | Medal |
| 1st–3rd U10 | Medals |
| 1st U10 Girl | Medal |
Prize Rules
Cash prizes are not cumulative. A player eligible for several cash awards receives the highest-value prize.
If the winner of a special category has already received a higher cash prize, the special prize passes to the next eligible player.
At least three eligible players must compete in a special category for its prize to be awarded.
Prize winners must attend the Closing Ceremony. Players who do not attend lose their right to receive their prizes.
🧩 Sections / Groups
The tournament is divided into four independent groups according to FIDE Standard Rating and age.
| Group | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Group A | FIDE Standard Rating 1900+ |
| Group B | FIDE Standard Rating 1700–2099 |
| Group C | FIDE Standard Rating 0–1699 and unrated |
| Group D | U12 – born after January 1, 2015 |
The official March 2027 FIDE Standard Rating List will be used to determine group placement.
Players rated 1900–2100 may choose between Group A and Group B.
U12 players may choose either Group D or the group corresponding to their FIDE rating.
📅 Schedule
The tournament runs for five days from Thursday, March 11 through Monday, March 15, 2027.
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| March 11 | 17:30 | Round 1 |
| March 12 | 17:30 | Round 2 |
| March 13 | 10:00 | Round 3 |
| March 13 | 17:30 | Round 4 |
| March 14 | 10:00 | Round 5 |
| March 14 | 17:30 | Round 6 |
| March 15 | 10:00 | Round 7 |
| March 15 | 15:00 | Closing Ceremony |
The Round 1 pairings will be produced on March 11 at 15:30 and published on Chess-Results.
📝 Registration
Online registration is available through the official Vardaris registration form.
Registration:
https://vardaris.com/register/
The registration deadline is Monday, March 8, 2027, unless the maximum capacity of 420 players is reached earlier.
Group A Entry Fees
| Category | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| GM, IM, WGM, WIM | Free |
| FIDE Rating 2300+ | Free |
| Women rated 2100+ | Free |
| Rating 2100–2299 | €80 (~$90) |
| Rating 1900–2099 | €100 (~$120) |
Players rated 2300+ who register after February 1 pay €50 / approx. $60.
Groups B, C & D
| Group | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Group B | €70 (~$80) |
| Group C | €60 (~$70) |
| Group D | €50 (~$60) |
Discounts
Several participation discounts are available:
- Two members of the same family: 10% discount
- Three or more family members: 20% discount
- Players with disabilities: 50% discount
- SACH Thessaloniki members: 50% discount
Discounts are applied according to the tournament conditions and the final fee of the selected group.
Participation Confirmation
Payment of the entry fee constitutes final confirmation of participation.
For special cases and foreign players, in-person confirmation may be permitted at the venue on Thursday, March 11 from 10:00 to 14:00, but only after prior agreement with the organizers.
Cancellation
The entry fee is refunded in full if cancellation is requested by Friday, March 5, 2027.
After that date, entry fees are non-refundable.
👤 Organizer
Organizer Name: Chess Club SACH Thessaloniki
Contact Person: FM Georgios Vlassis – Tournament Director
Email: info@vardaris.com
📍 Venue
Holiday Inn Thessaloniki – 8 Monastiriou Street, 546 29 Thessaloniki, Greece
The tournament returns to the Holiday Inn Thessaloniki, located close to the centre of Thessaloniki.
The hotel serves as both the official playing venue and official tournament hotel, allowing players to stay in the same building as the competition.
🚆 How to Get There
Holiday Inn Thessaloniki is located on Monastiriou Street and is easily accessible from central Thessaloniki.
The Dimokratias Metro Station is approximately 50 metres from the hotel. Thessaloniki Railway Station is also nearby and can be reached in approximately five minutes.
International players can fly into Thessaloniki International Airport “Makedonia” (SKG). The hotel estimates a journey of approximately 22 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic.
Taxi, metro, bus, and other local transport options are available for reaching the tournament venue.
ℹ️ Other Information
🏨 Accommodation
The Holiday Inn Thessaloniki is the official tournament hotel.
Special accommodation conditions are available for tournament participants, while titled players may receive additional accommodation terms subject to availability.
Because the current 2027 regulations do not publish fixed room prices, players should check the tournament’s current accommodation information before booking.
Accommodation information:
https://vardaris.com/
♟️ Byes & Round Exemptions
Players may receive a half-point bye through Round 3.
Beginning with Round 4, requested byes carry zero points.
A request to miss a subsequent round must be submitted no later than ten minutes after the end of the player’s previous game.
A Round 1 bye is available only to players who have paid their entry fee in advance.
An unexplained absence may result in immediate removal from the tournament.
🛡️ Fair Play
The tournament follows applicable FIDE Fair Play and Anti-Cheating regulations.
The organizers reserve the right to inspect participants for prohibited electronic assistance.
Mobile phones, smartwatches, and other unauthorized electronic devices are prohibited in the playing area unless specifically permitted by the Chief Arbiter.
⚖️ Appeals
Appeals must be submitted in writing within 30 minutes after the end of the game.
An appeal requires a €60 fee.
If the appeal is accepted, the fee is refunded. Otherwise, it is retained by the organizers.
👨⚖️ Tournament Officials
Tournament Director: FM Georgios Vlassis
Chief Arbiter: IA Zoi Anagnostou
🎁 Modern Chess Partnership
The 10th Vardaris introduces a new partnership with Modern Chess.
Modern Chess contributes €1,300 in vouchers, which are awarded in addition to the tournament’s €6,000 cash prize fund.
📈 Vardaris Milestone
The 2027 tournament marks the 10th edition of Vardaris.
Across its first nine editions, the event grew from 119 participants in its first edition to a record 388 players in the ninth, making it one of the established international chess events in Greece.
🌐 Official Links
Official Website:
https://vardaris.com/
Registration:
https://vardaris.com/register/
Regulations:
https://vardaris.com/regulations/
Chess-Results:
https://s3.chess-results.com/tnr1512782.aspx?SNode=S0&lan=0
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $6,710
Organizer
♟️ About Chess Club SACH Thessaloniki
Chess Club SACH Thessaloniki (Σκακιστικός Όμιλος ΣΑΧ Θεσσαλονίκης) is an established chess club and tournament organizer based in Thessaloniki, Greece. The club combines chess education, competitive team activity, junior development, community events, FIDE-rated tournaments, and one of northern Greece’s largest recurring international Opens.
SACH is currently led by FM Georgios Vlassis, who serves as President. He is also one of the club’s coaches and the Tournament Director of the Vardaris International Chess Tournament. The current Board additionally includes Vasilis Mantazis as Vice-President, Despoina Pontikaki as Secretary, IA Zoi Anagnostou as Treasurer, and Vasilis Sampsonoglou as Board Member.
The club operates from its permanent premises at Halkidikis 84 in Thessaloniki, where it provides regular chess lessons, training groups, club tournaments, Rapid and Blitz competitions, seminars, and other chess activities for children, juniors, and adults.
🏆 Tournaments & Chess Activities
Competitive chess forms a major part of SACH Thessaloniki’s activity. The club maintains a program of internal and public tournaments across Standard, Rapid, and Blitz formats while also competing in Greek team championships.
Its regular activities include FIDE-rated Rapid tournaments, Friday Blitz events, training competitions, solving contests, youth competitions, and team events. During 2026, for example, the club organized a series of FIDE-rated October Rapid tournaments as well as recurring Friday Blitz competitions.
SACH also participates in Greek team chess at a high competitive level. The club’s own materials highlight participation in the Greek A National Division, while its junior teams take part in regional and national youth competitions.
Tournament activity is closely connected with the club’s educational program. Students can move from lessons and internal events toward rated tournaments and team competition, creating a structured pathway from beginner chess to serious competitive play.
🌱 Junior Chess & Development
Chess education is one of the core functions of SACH Thessaloniki. The club describes its mission as creating an organized, safe, and creative environment where children, young players, and adults can learn and develop according to their ability and individual goals.
Its training philosophy emphasizes gradual and systematic improvement. In addition to chess technique, the club focuses on concentration, responsibility, consistency, sportsmanship, teamwork, and respect for opponents.
SACH runs several training levels so that players can progress from their first introduction to chess toward advanced competitive preparation. FM Georgios Vlassis is among the club’s principal coaches.
The club also organizes school activities, junior championships, team competitions, seminars, and seasonal programs. The SACH Summer Chess Camp is one example of its broader youth-development work, combining structured chess training with intensive practice during the summer period.
The club explicitly identifies strong junior and competitive teams as one of its long-term priorities.
🌍 Vardaris International Chess Tournament
The best-known international event organized by SACH Thessaloniki is the Vardaris International Chess Tournament.
Across its first nine editions, Vardaris grew from 119 participants in the inaugural tournament to a record 388 players in the ninth edition. The event now attracts players from Greece and numerous foreign federations and has become an established international competition in Thessaloniki.
After a break during the COVID period, the tournament returned in 2024 and has continued to expand. Recent editions have been organized with the cooperation of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Region of Central Macedonia, Hellenic Chess Federation, and Thessaloniki–Chalkidiki Chess Clubs Union.
The 10th Vardaris International Chess Tournament 2027 takes place from March 11–15, 2027, at Holiday Inn Thessaloniki. It offers four groups, seven FIDE-rated classical rounds, €6,000 in cash prizes, and another €1,300 in Modern Chess vouchers.
FM Georgios Vlassis serves as Tournament Director, while IA Zoi Anagnostou, who is also Treasurer of SACH Thessaloniki, serves as Chief Arbiter.
The tenth edition marks an important milestone for the club. Its capacity has increased to 420 players, reflecting the continued growth of the Vardaris project.
🤝 Community & Club Development
SACH Thessaloniki aims to operate as more than a competitive chess team. Its official mission emphasizes long-term relationships with players and families, cooperation with schools and other chess clubs, and stronger connections with the wider local community.
The club regularly organizes Open Days, seminars, camps, tournaments, and public activities that introduce chess to new players. At the same time, experienced members can participate in team championships and higher-level individual competition.
SACH also identifies international cooperation as a strategic priority. The club seeks relationships with foreign clubs, coaches, tournament organizers, and institutions that can create new opportunities for its players.
The Vardaris tournament is the most visible example of this outward-facing approach, bringing international competitors to Thessaloniki while connecting them with the local chess community.
📚 Club Organization
SACH Thessaloniki uses a participatory club structure. Its official website states that the organization holds open assemblies once a month, where active members can participate.
The elected Board manages the club’s administrative, financial, sporting, and organizational responsibilities, while coaches and volunteers support its training and tournament programs.
Current leadership:
President: FM Georgios Vlassis
Vice-President: Vasilis Mantazis
Secretary: Despoina Pontikaki
Treasurer: IA Zoi Anagnostou
Board Member: Vasilis Sampsonoglou
This structure supports both day-to-day club activity and major international projects such as Vardaris.
Hotels Near the Venue
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