V Open Chess Menorca 2026 (7–12 April, Ciutadella de Menorca, Spain)
V Open Chess Menorca 2026 returns to the Balearic Islands with a high-profile spring classic in Ciutadella de Menorca. Two rating-based opens (A/B) run over 9 classical rounds, plus a late-night FIDE-rated Blitz Open. Play takes place across two four-star hotels in Cala’n Bosch, combining professional conditions with a relaxed Mediterranean setting.
📌 Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | 7 – 12 April 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Ciutadella de Menorca (Cala’n Bosch), Balearic Islands, Spain |
| 🏟️ Venue | Hotel MarSenses Paradise Club**** & Hotel Sagitario Princesa Playa**** |
| 🏁 Tournament Type | FIDE-rated International Open (Groups A & B) + FIDE Blitz Open |
| 🧩 Tournament System | Open A & B: 9-round Swiss · Night Blitz: 9-round Swiss |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | 9 (A/B) · 9 (Blitz) |
| ⏱️ Time Control | Classical: 90′ + 30″ from move 1 · Blitz: 3′ + 2″ |
| ⏰ Default Time | 30 minutes (classical) · 5 minutes (blitz) |
| 🧮 Fair Play | Sofia Rule: no draw offers before move 30; anti-cheating checks |
| 🏢 Organizer | Open Chess Menorca (Director: David Pons Carreras) |
| 👩⚖️ Arbiter Team | Chief Arbiters: IA José F. Suárez Roa, IA Eduardo López |
| ✉️ Contact | info@openchessmenorca.com |
💰 Prize Fund
Total: €26,000+ in cash prizes + €10,000 in Chessable courses.
Open A — Top Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €6,000 + Trophy |
| 2nd | €4,000 + Trophy |
| 3rd | €2,500 + Trophy |
| 4th | €2,000 |
| 5th | €1,500 |
| 6th | €1,000 |
| 7th | €700 |
| 8th | €600 |
| 9th | €500 |
| 10th | €400 |
Extra categories (Open A): Women (1st €900), Seniors 50+/65+, U18, rating-band prizes down to <1850, Chessable packages.
Open B — Top Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €500 + Trophy |
| 2nd | €300 + Trophy |
| 3rd | €200 + Trophy |
| 4th | €150 |
| 5th | €125 |
| 6th–7th | €100 each |
| 8th–9th | €75 each |
| 10th | €50 |
Extra categories (Open B): Women awards, U18/U14, Seniors 50+/65+, rating bands (1600–1800, 1400–1599).
🧩 Sections / Regulations
- Open A: FIDE Elo > 1850
- Open B: FIDE Elo < 2000
- Byes: Up to two ½-point byes (not in last 2 rounds).
- Tie-breaks: Buchholz-1 → Sonneborn-Berger → rounds chosen → performance average → wins. If tied: 2 rapid 5+3, then Armageddon 5 vs 4.
📅 Schedule
- Tue, 7 Apr — Round 1
- Wed, 8 Apr — Round 2
- Thu, 9 Apr — Round 3 & Blitz Night
- Fri, 10 Apr — Round 4
- Sat, 11 Apr — Rounds 5 & 6
- Sun, 12 Apr — Rounds 7–9 & Closing
Blitz Night
Thu, 9 Apr — 22:00 start, 9 rounds, 3′+2″, at Hotel MarSenses Paradise Club.
📝 Registration
- Register via info@openchessmenorca.com
- IBAN: ES61 2056 0014 1120 9758 2221 (add player name in transfer).
- Payment required for confirmation.
- FIDE ID mandatory.
🏟️ Venue
Hotel MarSenses Paradise Club**** & Hotel Sagitario Princesa Playa****, Cala’n Bosch, Ciutadella — modern 4-star hotels with playing halls and recreation rooms, near the marina and beaches.
🛏️ Accommodation
Onsite hotels (MarSenses Paradise Club & Sagitario Princesa Playa) and many apartments/resorts nearby. Early booking advised due to Easter demand.
🚉 How to Get There
- By Air: Menorca Airport (MAH), 50–60 minutes by road.
- By Bus/Car: Buses and taxis serve Cala’n Bosch; parking available.
- By Ferry: Connections from Barcelona and mainland ports to Ciutadella/Maó, then road transfer.
The V Open Chess Menorca 2026 combines serious competitive chess with holiday charm: €26,000+ prize fund, strong regulations, and a vibrant Balearic setting. A must-play festival blending chess excellence with Mediterranean relaxation.
Organizer
Chess Menorca is a chess events organization based in Ciutadella de Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain. It operates as an experienced tournament organizer for international over-the-board chess on the island. Moreover, the team is led by FM David Pons Carreras and works with an established arbiter group and local partners.
In addition, Chess Menorca runs the Open Chess Menorca series, including the V Open Chess Menorca in Cala’n Bosch, Ciutadella. The main event is a FIDE-rated tournament played as classical chess in a Swiss-system format. Furthermore, the festival program also includes a dedicated blitz chess open and side activities for visiting players.
Furthermore, the organizers focus on clear regulations, fair play standards, and smooth on-site logistics across the playing venues. As a result, the event has become a recognizable Mediterranean open chess tournament destination for ambitious competitors and chess travelers.
