The Ramat Gan Winter Chess Tournament 2026–2027 begins on Monday, December 14, 2026, and continues through Monday, February 1, 2027, in Ramat Gan, Israel. This FIDE-rated winter series takes place at the Maccabi Etude Ramat Gan Chess Center, Beit Lazarus, 16 Einstein Street. Its three tournaments — Masters Main (A), Masters Secondary (B), and Club Competition (C) — offer structured over-the-board play on weekday evenings. The Israeli Chess Federation has announced a combined ₪7,200 prize fund for the series.

International Arbiter and International Organizer Paz Avineri directs the competition and serves as chief arbiter, working alongside arbiter Andrey Bar. All three groups follow a seven-round Swiss system, with games scheduled on Mondays from 6:30 PM. Groups A and B use 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move, while Group C uses 50 minutes plus 10 seconds per move. The event contributes to the FIDE and Israeli national rating lists, with a separate official tournament entry for each group.

The chess center’s location in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area makes this competition an option for local residents and visiting players who can attend a series of Monday evening rounds. The organizers also identify January 25, 2027, as a date for catch-up games. Participants can consult the Israeli Chess Federation announcement and the three Chess-Results pages for confirmed pairings, playing conditions, and official tournament updates. This guide includes the competition structure, a practical schedule, registration contacts, accommodation choices, and directions to the playing venue.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Every group in the Ramat Gan Winter 2026–2027 series plays seven rounds using the Swiss pairing system. Players are paired against opponents with comparable tournament scores as the competition advances, allowing everyone to continue competing through the series. The tournament’s playing conditions conform to its official federation registration, with national and international ratings calculated according to the published tournament records. The three groups have separate FIDE event IDs and independent pairings.

Groups A and B both use 90+30, giving each player 90 minutes to complete the game and a 30-second increment after every move. This pace supports longer strategic games, careful calculation, and endgames in which the increment can have an important role. Group C uses the faster 50+10 control, which creates a different balance between available thinking time and practical decision-making. Chess-Results nevertheless registers all three events under its Standard time-control classification.

The competitions have separate FIDE registration numbers: 506072 for Group A, 506073 for Group B, and 506074 for Group C. IA Paz Avineri is the organizer, tournament director, and chief arbiter listed for every group, with Andrey Bar as an additional arbiter. Their tournament records provide information about standings and official pairings throughout the event. Each participant should follow the rules of the specific group they enter.

🏆 Prize Fund

The Israeli Chess Federation’s official invitation announces a combined prize fund of ₪7,200, equivalent to approximately USD 2,310 at the indicative November 1, 2026 exchange rate. This amount applies to the winter competition series as a whole, rather than being a separate guaranteed prize pool for each of the three groups. The tournament includes groups with different playing controls and competition levels, giving participants a choice of events within the winter program.

Prizes provide an additional incentive for players taking part in the seven-round competition. Final standings depend on the results and the official tie-break procedures used by the tournament organizers. The federation’s announcement is the principal reference for the overall prize fund, while the individual Chess-Results pages record competition standings. Players should consult the group-specific invitation for the corresponding award structure before registering.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The winter series comprises three separate tournaments at the same chess center. The Israeli Chess Federation identifies their Hebrew names as the principal Masters competition, the secondary Masters competition, and the club competition. Each group has its own seven-round Swiss event and official FIDE registration, rather than sharing one combined pairing list. The groups use different playing controls, so participants should select the category that matches the intended level and competitive format.

All groups report results to the Israeli national rating system and to FIDE, as stated in their Chess-Results entries. The named Masters and club groups describe the event’s separate competitions; they do not indicate FIDE title norms. The organizer also offers regular tournaments at the same venue outside this particular winter series. The December–February dates and FIDE IDs distinguish this edition from Ramat Gan’s preceding autumn competition.

📅 Schedule

The competition begins Monday, December 14, 2026, with rounds scheduled on Monday evenings at 6:30 PM, local Israel time. The three groups follow a seven-round Swiss format within a published period ending on February 1, 2027. January 25 is designated as a catch-up round date in the tournament records. The program is therefore spread over several weeks rather than played as a consecutive-day chess festival.

All listed times use Israel local time, which is Israel Standard Time (UTC+2) during winter. Because Group A and Group B use 90+30, individual games may continue into the evening; Group C operates with its shorter 50+10 control. Players should check the A, B, or C tournament page for the current round schedule and any administrative changes.

📝 Registration

The Israeli Chess Federation announcement provides the official invitation and links to the three groups. Paz Avineri is the tournament organizer and principal contact. Competitors can request participation instructions at +972 58 457 7220, the telephone number published in the Chess-Results entries and club directories. The club’s administrative email is etudeoffice2004@gmail.com.

Players should specify whether they intend to enter Group A, B, or C. Since the groups have different time controls and separate pairings, they are distinct registrations rather than interchangeable playing sessions. Participants need to follow the applicable Israeli Chess Federation and FIDE rating requirements, together with the competition’s approved entry procedure. Official event records identify IA Paz Avineri as both director and chief arbiter, providing one clear point of contact for tournament questions.

Before planning a visit, players can review each group’s official Chess-Results link for event details and registered-player information. The federation’s published announcement identifies the prize fund and playing venue. This combination of organizer invitation and officially maintained pairings provides a reliable basis for choosing the relevant competition and arranging attendance on Monday evenings. Visitors travelling from outside Israel should account for the multi-week schedule.

🏛️ Organizer

Maccabi Etude Ramat Gan Chess Club is an affiliated Israeli chess organization based at Beit Lazarus, Einstein Street 16, in Ramat Gan. The club participates in national and regional team leagues and operates chess education activities for younger players, adults, and the local community. Its venue supports a steady program of rated individual competitions, including seasonal classical, rapid, and blitz tournaments.

IO and IA Paz Avineri directs the Ramat Gan Winter series and is its chief arbiter. The Israeli Chess Federation has published tournament records for the club’s autumn and school-year competitions, showing the continuity of rated play at this venue. Andrey Bar is also listed among the arbiters for the 2026–2027 winter series. Read the club’s MyChess.Events organizer profile for background on its teaching, team competitions, and playing facilities.

📍 Venue

The playing hall is the Maccabi Etude Ramat Gan Chess Center inside Beit Lazarus (Lazarus House), 16 Einstein Street, Ramat Gan, Israel. This venue appears in both the tournament’s official Chess-Results records and the Israeli Chess Federation’s affiliated-club directory. The center hosts regular over-the-board games, including federation-rated competitions and team fixtures. It provides a recognizable address for participants traveling from Ramat Gan or the wider Tel Aviv area.

For drivers, the Israeli Chess Federation’s team-match information lists 26 Sderot HaCongress (HaCongress Boulevard) as the relevant parking reference. The venue itself remains at Einstein Street 16, so players should keep the playing-hall and parking addresses distinct. Lazarus House is also a community facility with other local activities. Visitors can navigate to the exact street address and follow signs or instructions from the club on arrival.

🏨 Accommodation

Players travelling to the Ramat Gan Winter competition can consider hotels in Ramat Gan and the adjacent Tel Aviv metropolitan area. Because the series takes place over several Monday evenings, longer-distance visitors should plan accommodation around their individual rounds rather than assuming that the tournament is held across one continuous week. The following three established hotels have official booking websites and urban transport links to the surrounding district. None is presented as an official event hotel.

Roxon Urban Ramat Gan

Roxon Urban Ramat Gan stands at 1 Krinitsi Street in the city. The property offers modern guestrooms and suites, a shared lobby workspace, spa facilities, and a seasonal rooftop swimming pool. Its urban location works for participants seeking accommodation in Ramat Gan rather than central Tel Aviv. Travelers should plan a local taxi or other connection to Einstein Street 16 for the evening games. See the official Roxon website for room availability and hotel services.

Leonardo Plaza City Tower

Leonardo Plaza City Tower is located at 14 Zisman Shalom Street, near the Ramat Gan Diamond Exchange District. The hotel’s official Leonardo Hotels listing advertises guestrooms, wellness facilities, and access to the area’s urban services. Its position can suit travelers who want an established city hotel while attending games or other activities in the metropolitan area. The chess venue is at a separate address within Ramat Gan, so participants should arrange their onward transfer. Consult the official Leonardo Hotels site.

Hotel Indigo Tel Aviv – Diamond District

Hotel Indigo Tel Aviv – Diamond District is at 5 Aholiav Street, Ramat Gan, in the Diamond Exchange business district. This IHG hotel offers a range of rooms, an onsite restaurant, fitness facilities, and a spa. Its official website includes transport information, local parking details, and booking options. It provides another choice for participants who wish to stay in the Ramat Gan and Tel Aviv urban area. Review the official Hotel Indigo page before booking.

All three hotels operate independently from the chess center. Since the winter tournament spans December and January, room rates, seasonal policies, and booking conditions may vary between rounds. Visitors should check their personal playing dates before making reservations. Local transport arrangements and the exact evening finish time will depend on the selected group and the length of the individual games.

🚆 How to Get There

The venue is at Beit Lazarus, 16 Einstein Street, Ramat Gan, Israel, in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. Ramat Gan is connected to Tel Aviv and neighboring cities through urban roads, buses, and the wider region’s public transport network. Its playing center is a community venue rather than a hotel-based chess congress, making an accurate street address important for participants. For parking directions, the Israeli Chess Federation additionally lists 26 HaCongress Boulevard.

✈️ From Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)

Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) is the main international airport serving the Tel Aviv area. Travelers arriving by air can use an authorized taxi, private transfer, or a combination of regional rail and local transport to reach Ramat Gan. A direct road transfer to 16 Einstein Street is practical for visitors with luggage or for those arriving close to evening playing hours. Check airport ground-transport options and current entry requirements before departure.

🚆 By Train

The Tel Aviv metropolitan area has Israel Railways connections, including Tel Aviv Savidor Center and other city stations. From the rail network, participants can continue toward the club by local urban transport or taxi. The most convenient transfer depends on the train arrival station and the service operating on that day. Allow extra time for the final local journey before the competition’s 6:30 PM Monday start.

🚌 By Bus and Urban Transport

Ramat Gan is served by the metropolitan bus network, which links residential neighborhoods and surrounding cities. Players can use current transport planners to find a route to Einstein Street or nearby streets, then walk to Beit Lazarus at number 16. The official street address is more reliable than a general search for the club name alone. Plan the return journey around the late finish of classical rounds.

🚕 By Taxi or Private Car

A taxi or private vehicle can navigate directly to 16 Einstein Street, Ramat Gan. For parking, the Israeli Chess Federation lists the 26 Sderot HaCongress reference in its published team-event information. Drivers should follow local signs and parking regulations. The center’s own access instructions may vary by tournament, so leave time to locate the appropriate entrance before round one begins.

Participants should verify the current public-transport schedule for a Monday evening, especially when planning a journey home after a long 90+30 game. The venue’s exact address and the official Chess-Results schedule provide the essential arrival details. International visitors can combine airport information with their hotel or taxi provider’s directions to the playing center. The event starts on December 14 and continues into early February, so the relevant trip may differ from one participant to another.

ℹ️ Other Information

The Ramat Gan Winter 2026–2027 competition is a series of three related, independently paired Swiss tournaments held at one chess center. The events are registered with FIDE under IDs 506072, 506073, and 506074. The three groups share a Monday evening setting and a published prize program, but Group C operates with a shorter time control than Groups A and B. Official standings and ratings are recorded separately for each group.

The Israeli Chess Federation announced the winter series on October 18, 2026, including the start time, location, and combined prize fund. The three Chess-Results pages provide the formal tournament registrations and identify the organizing and arbitration team. For changes to the playing sessions, individual group invitations, and practical participation procedures, competitors should follow these original sources and contact the named tournament organizer directly.