International Chess Open Graz 2026
International Chess Open Graz 2026 returns to Graz, Austria at the distinctive NOVAPARK Flugzeughotel Graz from 14–20 February 2026. The festival features A/B/C Opens (9 rounds), a Seniors 50+ Open (7 rounds), and a Weekend Open (5 rounds) — all professionally organized with clear regulations, sizable prizes, and an on-site social program.
📌 Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | 14 – 20 February 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Graz, Austria |
| 🏟️ Venue | NOVAPARK Flugzeughotel Graz, Fischeraustraße 22, 8051 Graz |
| 🏁 Tournament Type | FIDE-rated International Festival (A/B/C, Seniors, Weekend) |
| 🧩 Tournament System | Swiss System |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | A/B/C: 9 · Seniors: 7 · Weekend: 5 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 min + 15 min from move 40 + 30″ increment from move 1 (all sections) |
| ⏰ Default Time | 15 minutes |
| 📵 Phones | No phones/tech in the playing hall (deposit possible) |
| 🤝 Draw Offers | Not allowed before move 30 |
| 🏢 Organizer | Styrian Chess Federation (Steir. Schachverband) |
| 👤 Tournament Director | IO Andrea Schmidbauer |
| ✉️ Email | registration@chessgraz.com · office@chessgraz.com |
| ☎️ Phone | +43 (0)699 1111 999 1 |
| 💳 Entry Fee Payment (by 10 Feb) | IBAN: AT83 2081 5000 2364 5690 · BIC: STSPAT2GXXX (Steiermärkische Sparkasse) |
Personal attendance registration is mandatory on Sat 14 Feb, 12:00–15:00 in the playing hall — otherwise players will not be paired.
💰 Prize Fund
Total Prize Fund: €12,000 (prizes are single, not split; presence at awards required; guaranteed from 150 participants).
Main Prizes by Tournament
| Place | A | B | C | Seniors | Weekend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | €1,500 | €600 | €200 | €450 | €450 |
| 2nd | €1,000 | €500 | €100 | €350 | €250 |
| 3rd | €800 | €350 | €50 | €250 | €150 |
| 4th | €600 | €250 | €35 | €150 | €100 |
| 5th | €400 | €200 | €25 | €100 | €50 |
| 6th | €300 | €100 | €50 | ||
| 7th | €250 | ||||
| 8th | €200 | ||||
| 9th | €150 | ||||
| 10th | €100 |
Special Prizes (selection):
— A-Open: Best Woman €100 · Best Senior €100 · Best Youth €100 · Elo 2150–2299 €100 · Under 2150 €100 · Best Austrian €400
— B-Open: Best Woman €50 · Best Senior €50 · Best Youth (U14) €50 · Elo <1800 €50
— C-Open: Best Woman €30 · Best Senior €30 · Best Youth (U14) €30
— Seniors: Best Woman €50 · Elo <2000 €50 · Over 65: 1st €200, 2nd €100
— Weekend: Best Woman €50 · Best Senior €50 · Best Youth (U18) €50 · Elo <2000 €50
🧩 Sections / Eligibility
| Section | Eligibility / Notes |
|---|---|
| A-Open | ≥2050 Elo (players 1950–2049 allowed with surcharge) |
| B-Open | ≤2049 Elo (players <1700 pay surcharge) |
| C-Open | ≤1700 Elo |
| Seniors (50+) | Born ≤1976 |
| Weekend Open | Open |
Rating & Lists: A-Open is FIDE-rated; B/C/S/W are internationally and nationally Elo-rated. Starting lists use FIDE rating.
⏱️ Time Control & Tiebreaks
- Time Control (all sections): 90′ + 15′ from move 40 + 30″/move from move 1
- Tiebreaks (order): Direct Encounter → Buchholz-1 (refined) → Buchholz → Sonneborn-Berger
- Half-point byes / Fair-play / Anti-Cheating: as per tournament regulations
📅 Schedule (all local time)
Saturday · 14 Feb
— 12:00–15:00 Registration (attendance control)
— 15:30 Opening & Pairings
— 16:00 Round 1 — A/B/C · Seniors · Weekend
Sunday · 15 Feb
— 09:30 Round 2 — A/B/C · Seniors · Weekend
— 16:00 Round 2 Seniors · Round 3 — A/B/C/Weekend
Monday · 16 Feb
— 09:30 Round 4 Weekend
— 16:00 Round 3 Seniors · Round 4 A/B/C · Round 5 Weekend
— ~21:00 Weekend Awards
Tuesday · 17 Feb
— 09:30 Round 5 A/B/C
— 16:00 Round 4 Seniors · Round 6 A/B/C
Wednesday · 18 Feb
— 16:00 Round 5 Seniors · Round 7 A/B/C
Thursday · 19 Feb
— 16:00 Round 6 Seniors · Round 8 A/B/C
Friday · 20 Feb
— 09:30 Round 7 Seniors · Round 9 A/B/C
— ~15:30 Festival Awards
📝 Registration & Entry Fees
Email registration: registration@chessgraz.com
Bank transfer deadline: 10 Feb 2026 (otherwise +€15 late fee; personal registration/payment possible)
Account: CHESS OPEN GRAZ — IBAN AT83 2081 5000 2364 5690 · BIC STSPAT2GXXX
Base Entry Fees (per player)
| Tournament | General | Women/Seniors* | Youth** | IM | GM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | €85 | €80 | €65 | €30 | Free |
| B | €65 | €60 | €45 | ||
| C | €55 | €50 | €35 | ||
| Seniors | €60 | €55 | |||
| Weekend | €55 | €50 | €35 |
Surcharges:
— A-Open entry 1950–2049: +€45
— B-Open entry <1700: +€20
Late payment (after 10 Feb): +€15
* Seniors: year of birth 1961 or earlier · ** Youth: year of birth 2008 or younger.
🏢 Organizer
Styrian Chess Federation (Steir. Schachverband)
Address: Karmeliterplatz 2/1, 8010 Graz
Tournament Director: IO Andrea Schmidbauer
Email: office@chessgraz.com · Registration: registration@chessgraz.com
Phone: +43 (0)699 1111 999 1
🏟️ Venue
NOVAPARK Flugzeughotel Graz, Fischeraustraße 22, 8051 Graz
— Distinctive aviation-themed hotel with large halls, suitable for parallel sections
— Comfortable analysis spaces; on-site amenities and easy access to city services
🛏️ Accommodation
The NOVAPARK hotel and nearby Graz accommodation provide a range of options across budgets. Early booking is recommended due to festival demand and parallel sections.
🚉 How to Get There
- By Air: Graz Airport (GRZ) with city connections by train/bus/taxi
- By Rail: Graz Hauptbahnhof; short taxi or local transit to NOVAPARK
- By Car: Convenient approach from A9/A2; venue parking available nearby
Graz combines the elegance of an old cultural hub with the vibrancy of modern chess. Whether in the flagship A-Open, the ambitious B/C groups, or the community-friendly Seniors and Weekend events, the 2026 edition offers every participant the chance to play serious, rewarding chess in an unforgettable setting.
