The Hurghada Open 2027 takes place from January 16 to 24, 2027, in Hurghada, Egypt, bringing an international classical chess competition to the Red Sea coast. The tournament features nine Swiss-system rounds with a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. Chess School Phoenix and Ruslan Khuade organize the event, with the competition based at ALDAU Village Mall in Hurghada’s resort district. Players can participate in the main classical tournament and also consider the separate rapid and blitz events scheduled during the festival.

The published prize program totals $7,000: the first eight overall places receive $5,000 between them, while eight additional categories account for a further $2,000. First prize in the main tournament is $1,300. Players can register through the official tournament website, with an entry fee of $50 when they book accommodation through the organizers or $100 when arranging their accommodation independently. Grandmasters receive free tournament entry, according to the published regulations.

The tournament also provides practical travel arrangements for participants visiting Egypt. Organizers offer accommodation packages at ALDAU Village Mall and Le Pacha Resort, with complimentary Hurghada airport transfers for players who book accommodation through them. The program starts with registration and an opening ceremony on January 16, includes two double-round days, and concludes with the ninth round and closing ceremony on January 24. The information below brings together the official event details, full schedule, prize distribution, registration conditions, accommodation options, and travel guidance.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The main Hurghada Open 2027 is a nine-round Swiss tournament using the classical control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. Under this format, players begin each game with 90 minutes and receive an additional 30 seconds after every completed move. The extra time supports complex calculations and endgame technique, while practical time management still plays a major role in the result of each game. The Swiss system allows participants to compete across the scheduled rounds without a knock-out elimination bracket.

Players are generally paired with opponents who have comparable tournament scores as the event progresses, subject to the tournament’s applicable pairing regulations. The program spreads the nine rounds across January 16–24, with double-round sessions on January 17 and January 20. Organizers also schedule separate rapid and blitz competitions on January 22 and January 18 respectively. Those additional events have their own playing formats and should not be confused with the nine-round classical competition.

The tournament’s Chess-Results listing provides access to player information and the competition’s public tournament administration page. Participants should use the organizer’s official updates for their final pairings and tournament instructions. The playing control, number of rounds, and competition period all appear in the published program on hurghada-open.com.

🏆 Prize Fund

The organizers publish a total of $7,000 in classical-tournament prizes. The leading eight overall placements receive a combined $5,000, headed by a $1,300 first prize and a $1,000 second prize. Eight additional competitive categories receive a combined $2,000. This structure recognizes high overall finishes alongside achievements by players in rating, age, women’s, and veteran categories.

Alongside the main classification, the event lists rating-based prizes for 1800–2000, players below 1800, and unrated players. Further categories recognize women, players under 12, under 16, and under 18, and veterans aged 60 or above. In each listed category, first place receives $150 and second place receives $100. The published category amounts add another $2,000 to the overall prize program.

Prizes are stated in US dollars on the official tournament website. The final award process, any eligibility rules, and relevant tiebreak procedures follow the event regulations. Players intending to compete for a specific category prize should review the full organizer regulations before registration.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The principal competition is an international Open classical tournament with nine rounds and one overall prize ranking. The organizers additionally recognize specific rating and demographic categories within the prize distribution; those awards do not turn the classical Open into separate independent Swiss sections. Participants in the main competition therefore follow the same published playing schedule and the classical 90+30 time control.

The festival also includes a Blitz Tournament on January 18 and a Rapid Tournament on January 22. These events appear as separate activities in the official program. Their arrangements and awards should be read independently from the main classical prize schedule, which lists eight overall placements and additional category prizes. Players should register for their chosen competitions using the organizer’s event-specific instructions.

📅 Schedule

The Hurghada Open 2027 starts on Saturday, January 16, and finishes on Sunday, January 24. Registration takes place from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the opening day, followed by the ceremony at 6:30 PM and the first classical round at 7:00 PM. Two rounds are scheduled on each of January 17 and January 20. The program places the stand-alone blitz and rapid tournaments on January 18 and January 22 respectively.

All times follow Egypt local time (UTC+2) in January. The final classical round begins at 1:00 PM on January 24, with the closing ceremony scheduled for 7:30 PM. Travelers should account for the final-day ceremonies when choosing return flights and airport transfers. The official tournament website remains the reference for the published schedule.

📝 Registration

Players register using the official Hurghada Open 2027 registration form. The form requests a player’s name, telephone number, email address, and FIDE identification. The organizer handles event registration, participation fees, and its accommodation packages directly. Chess School Phoenix and Ruslan Khuade are the named organizers, with event correspondence available at hurghadaopen@gmail.com and +20 155 222 9718.

The organizers also state that all fees, including accommodation payments, are non-refundable. Players should finalize their travel and room choices before submitting payments. The official English tournament regulations provide the detailed entry framework, while the event website gives access to the registration form and current accommodation arrangements.

Participants choosing organizer-arranged accommodation receive a complimentary airport pickup and drop-off according to the published package offer. Players planning to stay independently should arrange their own accommodation and transport directly. Because the event spans nine days, international visitors can plan to arrive before registration on January 16 and depart after the final ceremony on January 24 or the following day.

🏛️ Organizer

Chess School Phoenix is an international chess school with a branch in Hurghada, Egypt. It provides individual and group instruction in multiple languages and connects online chess training with tournament participation. The school offers coaching for beginners, developing players, and stronger competitors, using lessons and events to build practical competitive experience. Its international student community gives the academy links with chess players in a wide range of countries.

The academy organizes the Hurghada Open together with Ruslan Khuade, who is specifically named as a co-organizer on the tournament website. The event’s regular program combines a classical Open with opportunities to play rapid and blitz chess in the same travel period. Players can learn more about the school’s coaching work and chess activities through its MyChess.Events organizer profile or visit the official academy website.

📍 Venue

The 2027 playing location is ALDAU Village Mall, ALDAU Heights, Elmohamadi Hweidak Square, Hurghada, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt. Chess School Phoenix identifies ALDAU Village Mall as the location for Hurghada Open 2027 in its own tournament announcement. The complex lies within Hurghada’s hotel and resort corridor near Yussif Afifi Road, making it accessible by local road transport and taxi. The surrounding ALDAU area includes shopping, dining, and resort facilities used by both visitors and local residents.

Participants can enter the destination as ALDAU Village Mall, Hurghada when arranging travel. The shopping complex is associated with the larger ALDAU Heights development and the Elmohamadi Hweidak Square area. Since the mall contains multiple facilities, competitors should follow the organizers’ arrival instructions for the exact room or hall used by the chess tournament. The venue’s wider location is also convenient for guests who select accommodation in the nearby ALDAU district.

🏨 Accommodation

The tournament organizers offer nine-night accommodation packages for guests who book through the event team. Their published options include rooms at ALDAU Village Mall and Le Pacha Resort. Rates are quoted per person in US dollars for the nine-night stay, with double and triple occupancy choices at ALDAU and single, double, or triple all-inclusive choices at Le Pacha. The organizers include airport pickup and drop-off with their accommodation packages.

ALDAU Village Mall — Organizer Accommodation

The tournament’s ALDAU accommodation option is associated with the same development as the playing venue. The organizer advertises $333 per person for nine nights in a double room and $275 per person in a triple room. The published description mentions a swimming pool, gym, children’s room, shops, and cafés. Staying in the ALDAU complex may simplify arrival at the scheduled chess rounds. Package reservations and details are handled through the tournament organizers.

Le Pacha Resort — All-Inclusive Package

Le Pacha Resort sits in Hurghada’s Sakkala district on Sheraton Road, within the central shopping and waterfront area. The organizer advertises nine-night all-inclusive accommodation at $640 for a single room, $490 per person in a double room, or $460 per person in a triple room. The resort features its own beach and leisure facilities. Players choosing this package should coordinate transport to ALDAU Village Mall with the tournament team. See the official Le Pacha Resort website for the hotel’s facilities.

Steigenberger ALDAU Beach Hotel — Independent Booking Option

Steigenberger ALDAU Beach Hotel is located on Yussif Afifi Road, Hurghada, within the wider ALDAU resort area. Its official website describes a large pool landscape, multiple restaurants, beach access, and wellness facilities. This property provides an additional hotel option for travelers who prefer a direct hotel reservation rather than one of the tournament packages. Independent accommodation is subject to the event’s $100 participation fee. Check room prices and conditions through the official Steigenberger booking website.

The organizer states that accommodation and participation payments are non-refundable. The nine-night package structure is suited to travelers who plan to remain in Hurghada through the closing ceremony. Since arrangements can depend on room occupancy and booking choices, players should review the specific package they select before submitting their registration or payment.

🚆 How to Get There

Hurghada International Airport (HRG) serves the city and its Red Sea resort areas. Visitors can reach ALDAU Village Mall by road from the airport, with taxis and private transfers commonly used for journeys between hotels and tournament venues. The ALDAU complex lies within the principal tourist district of Hurghada, along the Yussif Afifi Road and Elmohamadi Hweidak Square area. Organizers provide free airport pickup and drop-off for participants who book their accommodation through the tournament team.

Arriving at Hurghada International Airport

International travelers generally arrive through Hurghada International Airport, which handles flights serving the Red Sea resort region. Participants using the official accommodation packages can arrange airport pickup with the organizing team. Those booking rooms independently can use an airport taxi or prearranged transport to reach their accommodation and the ALDAU development. Having the venue name and address ready will help the driver identify the correct part of the resort district.

Getting to ALDAU Village Mall

The playing location is ALDAU Village Mall, ALDAU Heights, Elmohamadi Hweidak Square. Drivers can use the named mall as the destination rather than searching only for the event title. The development offers retail, dining, and other visitor facilities, so participants should locate the tournament’s assigned playing area on arrival. Players staying elsewhere in Hurghada can arrange a taxi or hotel transfer to reach the hall before their scheduled round.

Transfers Between Hotels and the Tournament

Participants staying in ALDAU accommodation will be in the same development as the advertised playing location. Le Pacha Resort is in the Sakkala area, while Steigenberger ALDAU Beach is in the surrounding ALDAU resort district. The required local journey therefore depends on the selected hotel. Players should account for an evening start on several playing days and for the separate rapid and blitz events when arranging return transport.

ℹ️ Other Information

The Hurghada Open 2027 brings a full nine-round classical tournament to Egypt’s Red Sea coast from January 16 to 24. The organizers also schedule a blitz tournament on January 18 and a rapid tournament on January 22. The classical prize schedule offers $7,000 in published awards, and the first-place finisher earns $1,300. The event’s registration and accommodation options are managed directly through the official tournament website.

Participants can check the Hurghada Open official website for the program, accommodation packages, and registration form. The Chess-Results tournament record provides a separate public listing associated with the 2027 competition. Before traveling, players should review the organizer’s published conditions, especially the entry-fee difference between accommodation options and the non-refundable payment policy.