The 30th International Chess Open of Guingamp 2027 takes place from February 20–26, 2027, at La Grande Ourse in Saint-Agathon, France, just outside Guingamp in the Brittany region. Organized by Échiquier Guingampais, the event continues a chess festival tradition established in 1996. Its seven-day program offers nine FIDE-rated classical rounds and two separately paired competitions.

The main Open A is an international Swiss tournament played at 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by an additional 30 minutes, with a 30-second increment per move. Open B welcomes players rated below 1600 and uses 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. Players can request up to two half-point byes between Rounds 2 and 6, giving participants flexibility during the tournament week.

The official invitation advertises a combined prize fund of €4,500 (approximately US$5,040) if more than 90 participants enter. The first prize is €1,000 in Open A and €150 in Open B, with additional overall, rating and special-category prizes. Online registration is available directly through HelloAsso, and the complete timetable and rules appear in the organizer’s 2027 invitation.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Both sections follow a nine-round Swiss system with pairings within each section. Each player normally plays one game per scheduled round, with opponents assigned according to tournament score and the applicable Swiss pairing criteria. Both sections are approved for FIDE Standard rating.

Open A uses a two-stage classical clock: each player receives 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, then an additional 30 minutes to complete the game. A 30-second increment is added for every move. This longer time control rewards deep calculation and careful endgame technique during the week-long tournament.

Open B uses 90 minutes for the entire game, plus a 30-second increment for each move. Its clock setting is different from Open A and applies to competitors in the under-1600 rating category. These separate controls are explicitly stated in the organizer’s official 2027 registration document.

The organizer allows a competitor to miss up to two of Rounds 2–6 and receive half a point for each approved bye. This flexibility does not apply to the first round or the final three rounds. Players should arrange any requested bye with tournament officials before the relevant pairing is prepared.

🏆 Prize Fund

The 30th Guingamp International Open advertises €4,500 in total prizes if more than 90 participants enter. Using an indicative rate of €1 ≈ US$1.12, this equals approximately US$5,040. The tournament invitation divides the announced total into €3,650 for overall standings and €850 in special-category prizes. These figures reflect the official 2027 document, rather than a previous edition’s award table.

Open A offers six prizes in its overall standings, while Open B awards three main prizes. The 2027 invitation specifies additional awards for the highest-finishing woman, Breton player, competitor from Côtes-d’Armor and Guingamp player, with €80 for each of those named categories. Further awards recognize Elo bands and junior categories.

Special-category prizes are not cumulative, under the organizer’s announced rules. The advertised total is conditional on participation above 90 players, so entrants should use the official final prize list for the amount ultimately payable in each category. Prizes are denominated in euros; US-dollar values are provided only as approximate comparisons.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The week-long congress includes two separately paired classical opens. The main Open A welcomes participants seeking a full nine-round international event, while Open B is designed for players whose Elo is below 1600. Both groups take place in the same venue and share the published start times for each round.

Open A provides a chance to compete in a mixed field and has the larger first-place cash prize. Open B gives developing and lower-rated participants an opportunity to play a long classical event against opponents in an appropriate category. Each section has its own rankings and awards.

The tournament’s history includes participation by strong national and international players, as well as adults and juniors from Brittany. For 2027, the organizers again offer the same entry fees for both sections, with a reduced amount for younger players. Participants should supply their current rating and federation information when they register.

📅 Schedule

The nine-round program begins on Saturday, February 20, 2027, and concludes on Friday, February 26. The organizer requires in-person attendance confirmation before 2:00 PM on Saturday, ahead of the first round at 3:00 PM. All listed times are local to Brittany, Central European Time (CET, UTC+1).

The two double-round days are Monday and Wednesday. On the other playing days, competitors have a single scheduled game. This rhythm provides time for preparation and rest while allowing participants to complete nine classical rounds in a single week.

Players should consider that the 90-minute and 30-second time controls can lead to lengthy games. Therefore, they should avoid making time-sensitive commitments immediately after a round, particularly during the two-stage Open A games. The timetable above follows the official 2027 PDF and does not rely on the organizer’s older tournament schedule pages.

📝 Registration

The organizer provides direct online entry through HelloAsso. Players should select the applicable adult or junior category, enter their details and complete the secure payment steps. The official 30th Guingamp Open 2027 registration form confirms the event dates, the venue address and the published entry categories.

REGISTER FOR GUINGAMP OPEN 2027

Entry Fees

The organizers request advance pre-registration. The paper invitation also provides a form for applicants, but HelloAsso is the direct online payment and entry service. Participants should use the registration options that match their current club status and age category.

How to Complete Your Entry

First, choose Open A or Open B U1600 based on your official rating. Next, select the correct participation category on the HelloAsso form and complete the requested details. Finally, keep your confirmation and attend the on-site check-in before 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 20.

For entry questions, the official 2027 invitation names Daniel Cozic, reachable through gwengampechedou@gmail.com or by telephone at +33 6 29 65 16 68. The tournament’s official blog also publishes the invitation and logistical updates.

🏛️ Organizer

Échiquier Guingampais is a French chess association founded in 1976 in the historic Brittany town of Guingamp. Its first president, Henri Le Perf, had already begun teaching chess in local schools and worked to establish a permanent club. The association later developed a strong competitive record, including junior national titles and participation in French team championships.

The club holds the FFE Club Formateur designation for its chess education activities. It provides lessons and school chess initiatives alongside adult and youth team competition. The annual International Open, first held in 1996, remains a major part of its public tournament program.

For 2027, Daniel Cozic organizes the International Open and Bernard Cloarec serves as arbiter. Read more about the club’s history, achievements and player-development work on the Échiquier Guingampais organizer profile.

📍 Venue

La Grande Ourse — 9 Rue Hent Meur, 22200 Saint-Agathon, France.

The playing hall is a dedicated cultural and community venue in the town of Saint-Agathon, close to Guingamp in the Côtes-d’Armor department of Brittany. Opened in 2014, La Grande Ourse hosts public performances and community events as well as gatherings such as the International Chess Open. Its address appears on the official organizer’s invitation and Saint-Agathon municipal website.

According to France’s official accessibility directory, the venue offers a step-free approach, an accessible entrance, adapted toilets and designated accessible parking. Participants who need specific arrangements can contact the tournament organizers in advance to discuss their requirements.

The playing venue is not the club’s normal meeting address in central Guingamp. Visitors should therefore use the La Grande Ourse street address for tournament travel and on-site registration. The venue lies near local roads connecting Saint-Agathon with Guingamp and the surrounding area.

🏨 Accommodation

The organizers have not announced a dedicated tournament hotel or special room package for February 2027. However, visitors can stay in Guingamp and travel to La Grande Ourse in Saint-Agathon for their games. Accommodation near Guingamp railway station is practical for those arriving by train, while the historic center offers another base with shops and restaurants.

The two hotels below have verified addresses and direct official booking websites. Their indicative public prices come from 2026 published rates and are not confirmed for February 20–26, 2027. Prices can change with room type, availability, breakfast and cancellation conditions. Compare the exact event dates before reserving.

Brit Hotel L’Arrivée Guingamp

Brit Hotel L’Arrivée is directly opposite Guingamp railway station. It offers guest rooms in two buildings, Wi-Fi, breakfast and reception services, making it convenient for visitors arriving by train. The official hotel website confirms its full address and allows direct booking.

The hotel is separate from the playing venue. Therefore, players should arrange a taxi or another local transfer to La Grande Ourse in Saint-Agathon, particularly for the 9:00 AM rounds on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Check room types, breakfast and cancellation terms on the Brit Hotel official website.

Hôtel La Demeure

Hôtel La Demeure occupies a restored historic townhouse in the heart of Guingamp. The property has individually furnished rooms and suites, a restaurant, Wi-Fi and a small, personal atmosphere. It is a practical alternative for chess players who prefer to stay near the historic town center.

La Demeure is also separate from the chess venue, so guests should arrange reliable transport to Saint-Agathon before morning games. The hotel’s official website provides details of rooms and direct bookings.

Neither hotel is an organizer-designated property. Accommodation and tournament registration are purchased separately. For a seven-day competition, compare the total price of all necessary nights and the cost of daily transfers before choosing a non-refundable room.

🚆 How to Get There

La Grande Ourse is located at 9 Rue Hent Meur, Saint-Agathon, a short distance from Guingamp. The municipality lies in western Brittany, and visitors may approach it by road from other parts of Côtes-d’Armor or use regional and longer-distance rail connections to Guingamp.

🚆 By Train

Guingamp railway station is the main nearby rail arrival point. Regional travel information places La Grande Ourse approximately 3 km from the station, making a local taxi or arranged transfer practical for visitors carrying luggage. Check the latest connection options before departure, particularly if arriving for the Saturday afternoon opening round.

🚗 By Car

Enter 9 Rue Hent Meur, 22200 Saint-Agathon into your navigation application. The community venue has parking facilities, including spaces for visitors with reduced mobility. As the tournament runs over seven days, drivers should check local parking conditions and follow the signs at the venue.

🚌 Local Transport

Public transport in the wider Guingamp area connects nearby towns and neighborhoods, but services may differ during weekends and school holidays. Travelers should check current schedules and the route to La Grande Ourse rather than relying only on the general location “Guingamp.”

🌿 Visiting Brittany

Guingamp is a historic town in Brittany, with traditional streets, architecture and connections to the surrounding Côtes-d’Armor countryside. Participants who extend their visit can explore the area beyond the tournament hall. However, the nine-round classical schedule may limit sightseeing on playing days, especially on Monday and Wednesday.

ℹ️ Other Information

The 30th International Chess Open of Guingamp 2027 is approved by the French Chess Federation for FIDE Standard rating. Its two tournaments follow Swiss-system pairing, with the Open A and Open B time controls defined separately in the 2027 official invitation. Players should follow all applicable FIDE Laws of Chess and instructions issued by arbiter Bernard Cloarec.

The organizer permits two half-point byes between Rounds 2 and 6, allowing some scheduling flexibility during the competition week. The announced €4,500 combined prize fund requires more than 90 entrants, while special-category prizes are not cumulative.

For the definitive 2027 schedule, consult the organizer’s official PDF. For direct entry, use the HelloAsso registration form. The tournament blog and Échiquier Guingampais website provide news about the club and other competitions in Brittany.