The Davos Chess Festival 2026 brings classical, FIDE-rated chess to the heart of the Swiss Alps. A compact three-day event with professional arbiters and a friendly festival vibe, ideal for a weekend of focused play in Davos.
📌 Event Details
| 📅 Dates | 12 – 14 June 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Davos, Graubünden, Switzerland |
| 🏟️ Venue | Central congress / event halls in Davos |
| 🏁 Tournament Type | FIDE-rated International Open (Swiss Chess Tour) |
| 🧩 Tournament System | Swiss System |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | 5 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move 1 |
| ⏰ Default Time | 60 minutes |
| 🧮 Tie-breaks | Buchholz, Sonneborn–Berger, Direct Encounter |
| 🏢 Organizer | Swiss Chess Tour (coord. Claudio Boschetti) |
| 👩⚖️ Chief Arbiter / Direction | IA Tiziana Balzarini |
💰 Prize Fund
Total prize fund: CHF 2,000 (pro‑rata if very low entries; one prize per player; presence required at awards).
| Place | Prize (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 1st | 600 |
| 2nd | 400 |
| 3rd | 300 |
| 4th | 200 |
Category prizes (Elo bands, Junior U18, Best Woman) may be awarded depending on entries.
⏱️ Regulations
- FIDE Laws of Chess & Fair‑Play (anti‑cheating) enforced.
- No draw offers before move 30.
- Swiss‑Manager pairings (Dutch system).
- FIDE ID required for all players.
- Mobile/electronic devices must be off and stored.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Event / Round | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, 12 Jun | Round 1 | 19:00 |
| Sat, 13 Jun | Round 2 | 09:30 |
| Sat, 13 Jun | Round 3 | 15:00 |
| Sun, 14 Jun | Round 4 | 09:30 |
| Sun, 14 Jun | Round 5 & Awards | 14:00 · after R5 |
🏟️ Venue
Central Davos congress/event halls with bright, quiet playing rooms, close to hotels, cafés, and mountain transport.
🛏️ Accommodation
Davos offers many hotels and guesthouses within walking distance. Book early — alpine weekends are popular.
🚉 How to Get There
- By Train: SBB → Landquart → Davos Platz/Davos Dorf (RhB).
- By Air: Zurich (ZRH) → train via Landquart to Davos.
- By Car: A13 to Landquart → Route 28 to Davos; central parking available.
Alpine air, focused chess, and a friendly festival atmosphere – the Davos Chess Festival 2026 is a perfect three‑day classical event in one of Switzerland’s most scenic destinations.
Organizer
Swiss Chess Tour is a Swiss chess events organization based in Melano (Ticino), Switzerland. It operates as an experienced tournament organizer that delivers well-structured weekend competitions across the country. Over the years, it has become a familiar name on the Swiss chess calendar for reliable communication and consistent playing conditions.
In addition, Swiss Chess Tour runs a broad series of open chess tournament events under the Swiss Chess Tour banner. It organizes the Stein am Rhein Open 1/26 — Swiss City Open, a FIDE-rated tournament played in classical chess with a compact multi-round schedule. Moreover, its wider program often includes rapid chess and blitz side events at selected festivals and venues.
Furthermore, the team prioritizes fair play, punctual rounds, and smooth on-site logistics for local and visiting players. As a result, many participants follow the circuit from city to city for consistent organization and a welcoming competitive atmosphere.
