X Open Internacional de Ajedrez Semana Santa — San Vicente del Raspeig 2026 takes place on April 1-6, 2026 in San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain. This Easter chess event brings together titled players, ambitious club competitors, juniors, and improving adults for six days of serious classical competition on the Costa Blanca.

This is a chess tournament in San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain, in 2026. The Open Semana Santa 2026 uses a 9-round Swiss format, a 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment time control, and two rating-based groups. Therefore, it offers a strong mix of top-level competition and accessible section choice inside one of Spain’s best-known spring opens.

In addition, the event keeps both groups in the same venue and follows a clear day-by-day program from Wednesday to Monday. As a result, Open Semana Santa 2026 works well for players who want a full classical tournament week without changing hotels or moving between playing halls.

🏁 Event Details

Key tournament details are listed below.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The event uses a classical chess time control of 90 minutes for the full game with a 30-second increment from move one. Both groups follow a 9-round Swiss system. Consequently, players get a full competitive week with enough rounds to produce meaningful final standings.

Group A is valid for FIDE rating and international norms, while Group B is also FIDE-rated. Moreover, the tournament applies a 30-minute default time. Tie-breaks follow this order: direct encounter, Buchholz Cut 1, Buchholz, Sonneborn-Berger, performance average, and wins.

Players may request up to three half-point byes in the first seven rounds. However, Round 1 byes must be requested by email, while later byes must be submitted in writing in the playing hall. In addition, the event applies FIDE fair-play rules and may carry out random checks during the tournament.

🏆 Prize Fund

The tournament publishes a total prize fund of €23,000 across Group A and Group B. Therefore, Open Semana Santa 2026 offers one of the stronger Easter prize packages in Spain.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The two-group structure gives stronger players a tougher open section while also keeping a more suitable field for players below 1900. As a result, the event serves both international competition and broader club-level participation at the same time.

📅 Schedule

The schedule starts with one round on Wednesday, adds double-round days on Thursday and Friday, and then finishes with two final playing days plus the closing ceremony on Monday. Because of that, the event keeps a strong rhythm without feeling overloaded from start to finish.

📝 Registration

Players should register early because the organizers may limit the field and cancel unpaid entries after the deadline. In addition, GM and IM players enter free, although they still need to confirm participation with the organizer in advance.

👤 Organizer

Club de Ajedrez Dama Negra organizes Open Semana Santa 2026 in San Vicente del Raspeig and continues to run one of the most established Easter tournaments in the Alicante area. The club focuses on strong playing conditions, clear tournament rules, and a full festival atmosphere around the main event. As a result, many players use this open as a serious spring tournament target in Spain.

• Email: info@opendeajedrez.com
• Phone: +34 615 547 567
• Website: https://opendeajedrez.com/

📍 Venue

Nuevo Polideportivo, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain

The tournament takes place at the Nuevo Polideportivo, located between the University of Alicante Faculty of Education and the Sur Sports Complex and Velodrome. In addition, the hall offers a modern sports setting with good capacity for a large international chess event.

🚗 How to Get There

The easiest airport for international players is Alicante Airport (ALC). From Alicante, players can continue by tram or regional public transport to San Vicente del Raspeig. Meanwhile, players arriving by car can use the local road network and nearby parking around the sports complex. Because the venue sits close to the university area, daily access stays practical for both local and visiting participants.

Come for a full week of classical chess, choose the section that fits your level, and enjoy one of Spain’s strongest Easter tournaments in Alicante.