Amateur Chess Organization (ACO)

♟️ About the Amateur Chess Organization

The Amateur Chess Organization (ACO) is an independent international chess tournament organizer focused on amateur and senior players. Based near Stuttgart, Germany, the organization arranges chess championships that combine competitive over-the-board games with extended stays at resort hotels. ACO emphasizes the opportunity to compete against players with comparable ratings, meet people from different chess federations and enjoy an organized chess holiday.

ACO began organizing its World Chess Championships in 2012. According to its official website, more than 2,800 players from over 60 countries have taken part in its events. The organization offers dedicated rating-group competitions for amateur players and separate senior and super-senior championships for older participants.

🏆 International Championships and Rating Groups

The ACO World Amateur Chess Championship normally uses seven separate rating groups. This approach keeps opponents within a defined rating range rather than placing every player in a single unrestricted Open. The organization also runs events for participants aged 50 and over and 65 and over. Each championship has its own dates and eligibility conditions.

For 2027, ACO has scheduled its World Amateur Chess Championship on the island of Kos, Greece, at the five-star Atlantica Belvedere Resort. The program features nine rounds of classical chess, prize money allocated to each rating group, grandmaster lectures, game analysis and informal chess activities. The event combines a multi-day international chess championship with a hotel-based travel experience.

🏨 Tournament Travel and Player Support

ACO arranges its tournaments around selected four- and five-star resorts. The organization requires guests and participants to book their designated hotel accommodation directly through ACO, which also assists with planning arrivals, flights and extended hotel stays. Its multilingual team offers support before and during the event.

Grandmasters and experienced chess instructors form part of the on-site coaching program. In addition to rated games, participants may attend lectures, simultaneous exhibitions and blitz tournaments, depending on the individual event schedule. These opportunities form an important part of ACO's international chess experience.

🌍 Independent International Organization

ACO describes itself as independent of FIDE, rather than an official FIDE championship organizer. Its use of the term World Championship refers to its own amateur tournament series, not to a championship title awarded by the World Chess Federation. That distinction is useful for players comparing international competitions and their official status.

For tournament announcements, booking conditions and championship regulations, visit the ACO website or the 2027 World Amateur Chess Championship event page.