The 18th Rouen International Chess Open 2026 takes place from December 19–23, 2026, in Rouen, Normandy, France. Rouen Échecs organizes the event, which offers nine rounds of classical chess at Centre Sportif Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. It is an established December competition that welcomes visiting players and local club competitors for five days of Swiss-system play.

There are two divisions. Open A welcomes competitors of any rating, while Open B accepts only players with a FIDE Elo below 1700. Moreover, both groups count toward FIDE Standard ratings and use 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from the first move. The French Chess Federation confirms a €800 first prize in Open A and €300 in Open B, with separate entry fees for the two groups.

In addition, the club limits the combined field to 200 participants. Players register through the online ChessEvent portal, and on-site check-in starts at 10:30 AM on Saturday, December 19. Furthermore, the organizer’s official 2026 poster also confirms two permitted half-point byes and a prize ceremony on December 23 at 2:00 PM.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Open A and Open B each consist of nine Swiss-system rounds under a classical time control. Each player receives 90 minutes for the game, and the clock adds 30 seconds after every move. There is no separately announced additional block of time after move 40. Participants should therefore plan their opening, middlegame and endgame time management around the increment and the overall base allocation.

In particular, the FFE has registered both groups separately and will include their results in the January 2027 FIDE Standard rating list. Although the divisions have different eligibility rules and prizes, they play on the same days in the same sports complex. Meanwhile, each section has its own pairings, standings and arbiter appointment.

Half-Point Byes

Notably, the official tournament poster allows two half-point byes. Consequently, players can arrange an approved bye if a travel commitment conflicts with a round. However, players should consult the organizer about the eligible rounds and request deadline. Therefore, entrants should ask the event director or section arbiter to approve each bye before missing a round.

In practice, the schedule has two rounds a day on four consecutive dates. As a result, long games can limit the rest time between morning and afternoon starts. Competitors should remain mindful of both rounds and speak with the arbiter if an unforeseen circumstance may affect attendance or result reporting.

Tournament Arbiters and Rules

For clarity, the official federation entries identify Khaled Benaddou as the arbiter for Open A and Bachir Chellili for Open B. Thus, each name refers to a different competition. Both arbiters apply the relevant FIDE Laws of Chess and French Chess Federation regulations.

Before registering, players should confirm their federation and identification details. For questions about withdrawals, late arrival, ties, fair play or competition procedures, players should consult the official arbiters. In all cases, the organizer’s latest instructions take precedence over third-party event descriptions.

🏆 Prize Fund

For Open A, the official 2026 announcement confirms a €800 first prize for Open A, about US$890, and a €300 first prize for Open B, about US$340. These approximate US-dollar figures use the November 2026 exchange rate; the organizer states the actual awards in euros.

Together, these two first-place awards establish a confirmed minimum of €1,100 (approximately US$1,230). The full prize fund may exceed that amount. Consequently, the Quick Info figure represents the confirmed minimum, not the complete payout across every category.

For further details about classification prizes, tied scores or award collection, contact Rouen Échecs. Additionally, the club may provide further practical information before the competition. A participant’s eligibility for a particular award depends on the relevant section and the tournament rules.

♟️ Sections / Groups

Open A — International Classical

According to the 2026 organizer poster, Open A welcomes players of all ratings. It provides nine classical Swiss rounds from December 19 through December 23 and is eligible for FIDE Standard rating evaluation. For this section, adults and juniors pay €50, and the winner receives €800.

Therefore, this section suits players who want to face a broad range of opponents. As a longstanding year-end tournament, the Rouen Open has welcomed both strong visiting competitors and regular club players. The organization and playing timetable remain the same for all Open A entrants.

Open B — Under 1700 FIDE Elo

By contrast, Open B accepts only players whose FIDE Elo is below 1700. Likewise, it runs over nine rounds, uses the same time control and counts toward FIDE Standard ratings. The entry fee is €40 for both adults and juniors, while the winner’s award is €300.

As a result, this division offers developing players a field closer to their rating range. Players near the 1700 threshold should check which official rating list will govern eligibility. Entrants who are not yet FIDE rated should also confirm their section with the organizers before registering.

Shared Capacity and Venue

Overall, the organizer limits participation to 200 players across the two sections. The ChessEvent registration service lists both divisions in one form; meanwhile, the FFE maintains separate event records. Therefore, players should select the group appropriate to their rating and confirm the organizer received their entry.

📅 Schedule

Throughout the event, all rounds use local Central European Time (CET, UTC+1). On Saturday, rounds begin at noon and 5:00 PM. Meanwhile, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday each have morning and afternoon games, while Wednesday’s final round starts at 9:00 AM. In addition, the official poster lists the on-site check-in opening time and closing prize presentation.

Before their first round, competitors should arrive early to confirm registration, locate their section and settle at the board. The opening Saturday schedule is later than the remaining morning rounds, making it particularly important to read dates as well as times when arranging travel.

Finally, Wednesday’s morning round concludes the competition, and the awards ceremony begins at 2:00 PM. A classical game can run long, so players should avoid planning a tight return journey around the end of play. Nevertheless, players should follow the organizer’s latest instructions if the timetable changes.

📝 Registration

To register, participants can use the official ChessEvent registration form, which offers the 18th Rouen International Open A and the U1700 Open B. The form requests a player’s name or federation identification and then guides them through the entry process. Competitors should verify the section shown before submitting their registration.

Register for the 18th Rouen International Chess Open

Entry Fees

In both sections, the official federation entries list the same fee for adults and juniors. The organizer limits the combined event to 200 participants. For visitors booking accommodation or long-distance transport, early registration offers additional planning time before Christmas.

At present, the ChessEvent portal lists a closing time of December 18, 2026, at 8:38 PM CET. However, the organizer may adjust the registration deadline. Therefore, players should consult the current form to check entry availability, payment instructions and confirmation.

Organizer Contacts

For direct assistance, the event director is Tufek Ababsa. For general enquiries, the organizer publishes rouenechecs@yahoo.fr and +33 6 26 47 18 86. A direct contact is also available at tufek.ababsa@gmail.com and +33 6 31 29 34 88. Questions about eligibility, half-point byes and arrival arrangements should be sent before the competition whenever possible.

🏛️ Organizer

Rouen Échecs is a French Chess Federation-affiliated chess association serving Rouen and the surrounding Normandy region. Since 2008, the club has welcomed children, adults, beginners and experienced competitors. In addition, its activities include league matches, training and regular club play alongside the annual international December Open.

The club’s ordinary playing location is La Maison Saint-Sever on Rue Saint-Julien, not the international tournament venue. By contrast, the December event uses Centre Sportif Antoine de Saint-Exupéry on Boulevard Gambetta. This distinction matters for visitors relying on maps or transport directions.

The official Rouen Échecs website contains club information and event news. Tufek Ababsa is the listed organizer for the 2026 international open, while the French Chess Federation provides separate official entries for both competitions.

📍 Venue

In particular, the 18th Rouen International Chess Open takes place at Centre Sportif Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, 24 Boulevard Gambetta, 76000 Rouen, France. Both the French Chess Federation and the event poster give the sports complex as the playing location. Furthermore, the site is a municipal multipurpose sports facility in the eastern part of Rouen on the right bank of the Seine.

Participants should use the full tournament venue address rather than the club’s usual Saint-Sever meeting place. The city lists the sporting complex in its public facility directory, and local transport services connect the surrounding neighborhood with other parts of Rouen. On arrival, players should follow the tournament staff’s directions to the entrance and check-in desk.

Moreover, the poster announces a refreshment stand during the event. This may help participants during double-round days when a long morning game leaves a short lunch break. Players with specific dietary requirements should make their own arrangements or ask the organizers about what will be available on site.

🏨 Accommodation

Rouen has several hotels in the Champ-de-Mars and historic-center districts. Because the competition lasts five days and includes early morning games, a right-bank location with practical access to Boulevard Gambetta may be convenient. The following three hotels publish their addresses and provide official booking pages.

ibis Rouen Centre Champ-de-Mars

For example, this ibis property stands at 12 Avenue Aristide Briand on the right bank of the Seine. The hotel provides conventional guest rooms and services for business and leisure visitors. Its neighborhood is a practical starting point for exploring the eastern city center and arranging a route toward the tournament hall.

Players traveling for all five days should check the hotel’s room availability and cancellation terms for the specific dates. However, players should confirm prices directly with the hotel rather than assume a special tournament rate.

Mercure Rouen Champ-de-Mars

Similarly, the Mercure Rouen Champ-de-Mars stands at 12 bis Avenue Aristide Briand and offers a more full-service hotel option near the same district. Travelers may prefer it if they value on-site dining and additional hotel amenities. Its official booking service provides room categories, current rates and policies.

Although a right-bank location may simplify the daily journey, players should check the actual walking or transit route before booking. Allow time for early starts and possible changes to transport services during the December holiday season.

ibis Styles Rouen Centre Cathédrale

The ibis Styles Rouen Centre Cathédrale is at 9 Place de la République, close to the historic city center. Visitors who want to combine tournament participation with exploring Rouen may find the central location appealing. However, the hotel is separate from the playing venue, so guests must plan the daily journey.

In every case, guests must confirm reservations directly with the hotels. Participants should compare travel time to the hall, breakfast hours, parking needs and refund conditions. Therefore, players should check each property’s current rates and cancellation rules.

🚆 How to Get There

Arriving by Train

For rail travelers, Rouen Rive Droite is the city’s principal passenger station, with connections toward Paris and other destinations in Normandy. Players coming from elsewhere in France can use SNCF Connect to compare rail services and then continue by city bus, TEOR or taxi to the sports complex.

On Saturday, check-in begins at 10:30 AM and the first game starts at noon. Travelers with a longer rail journey may find it simpler to arrive the previous evening. Morning rounds from Sunday through Tuesday make it important to check transport availability at the hours required by the chess timetable.

Local Transport and Walking Access

Rouen’s public transport network operates bus and TEOR rapid-bus lines serving the city. Saint-Hilaire and CHU Charles Nicolle are relevant areas for access toward the Saint-Exupéry sporting facilities, but the most suitable stop depends on where the visitor is staying. Use Réseau Astuce for current routes and departure times.

However, the final entrance may differ from the address shown in some city directories. Tournament competitors should rely on the organizer’s announced check-in location when available and arrive with adequate time to find the correct playing hall.

Arriving by Car

Drivers should navigate to 24 Boulevard Gambetta, 76000 Rouen, France. This is the address identified by the FFE for both competition groups. Because the complex lies within an urban road network, drivers should check local parking availability and restrictions.

A driver traveling from another part of Normandy or northern France can follow the relevant regional road into Rouen and then use local navigation for the final approach. Where possible, allowing additional time for road traffic and the walk to the chess tables reduces the risk of a late arrival.

ℹ️ Other Information

Official Regulations and Updates

The official 2026 poster establishes the key timetable, check-in arrangements, approved byes, first-place prizes, venue and ceremony time. The separate FFE Open A and FFE Open B pages confirm section rating status, time control, registered arbiter, entry fee and organizer details. Players should consult these sources before travel and follow any updated tournament-specific instructions.

For registration, the ChessEvent platform provides the practical starting point. It contains both sections, a current entry deadline and direct organizer contact details. Before traveling, competitors should verify their chosen group and confirm that the organizer’s system lists their entry.

A December Chess Tradition in Normandy

Rouen Échecs has developed its annual International Open into a recurring year-end event. As a result, the December schedule offers players a chance to enjoy serious classical chess immediately before Christmas. The 18th edition continues that history with a stronger open and a separate under-1700 group.

Finally, the competition ends on Wednesday, December 23, and the awards presentation starts at 2:00 PM. Participants who plan to remain for the full event may also enjoy Rouen’s historic center outside playing hours. Official decisions about the event, pairings and prizes remain with Rouen Échecs and its appointed arbiters.