The VI Llinars International Chess Open 2026 will take place from 25 June to 3 July 2026 in Llinars del Vallès, Catalonia (Spain). This nine-round FIDE-rated Swiss event is organized by Club d’Escacs Llinars, bringing together international players in a competitive yet welcoming summer atmosphere.
📌 Event Details
| 📅 Dates | 25 June – 3 July 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Llinars del Vallès, Barcelona Province, Catalonia, Spain |
| 🏟️ Venue | Auditori de Llinars del Vallès, Ronda Sant Antoni 19 |
| 🏁 Tournament Type | FIDE-rated International Open |
| 🧩 Tournament System | 9-round Swiss |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | 9 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move 1 |
| ⏰ Default Time | 60 minutes |
| 🧮 Tie-breaks | Buchholz, Buchholz Cut-1, Sonneborn–Berger, Direct Encounter |
| 🧑⚖️ Chief Arbiter | IA Carlos Giménez Cañadas |
| 🏢 Organizer | Club d’Escacs Llinars |
| ✉️ Contact | internationalchessopen@escacsllinars.cat |
💰 Prize Fund
A mix of main prizes and category prizes (by Elo, juniors, women, seniors, local awards). Prizes are limited to one per player and require attendance at the awards ceremony.
🧩 Sections / Eligibility
- Open to all players with a valid FIDE ID.
- Pairings by Swiss-Manager.
- Anti-cheating and fair-play regulations apply.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, 25 Jun | Round 1 | 17:00 |
| Fri, 26 Jun | Round 2 | 17:00 |
| Sat, 27 Jun | Round 3 | 17:00 |
| Sun, 28 Jun | Round 4 | 17:00 |
| Mon, 29 Jun | Round 5 | 17:00 |
| Tue, 30 Jun | Round 6 | 17:00 |
| Wed, 1 Jul | Round 7 | 17:00 |
| Thu, 2 Jul | Round 8 | 17:00 |
| Fri, 3 Jul | Round 9 & Awards | 16:00 · Awards after R9 |
📝 Regulations
- No draw offers before move 30.
- Default time: 60 minutes.
- Mobile/electronic devices must be switched off.
- Pairings/results published daily after arbiter validation.
🏢 Organizer
Club d’Escacs Llinars has developed the Llinars Open into a respected Catalan chess festival, combining professional standards with strong international participation and a warm community spirit.
🏟️ Venue
The Auditori de Llinars del Vallès provides excellent playing conditions in a quiet hall, centrally located near cafés, shops, and transport.
🛏️ Accommodation
Hotels, apartments, and guesthouses are available in Llinars del Vallès, Cardedeu, Granollers, and Sant Celoni. Early booking is advised due to high summer demand.
🚉 How to Get There
- By Train: Rodalies to Llinars del Vallès station, short walk/local transfer to venue.
- By Car: From Barcelona via AP-7 / C-35.
- By Air: Barcelona–El Prat (BCN) with onward train/car to Llinars.
The VI Llinars International Chess Open 2026 is a summer chess highlight in Catalonia — nine days of competitive classical chess, community, and culture in the heart of Vallès Oriental.
Organizer
Escacs Llinars (Club d’Escacs Llinars) is a community chess club based in Llinars del Vallès, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Moreover, it serves as an active tournament organizer for local players while staying closely connected to the wider Catalan chess circuit. As a result, the club combines a welcoming social environment with structured, competitive over-the-board chess.
In addition, Escacs Llinars runs year-round activities that include internal competitions, team matches, and regular club play in classical chess. It also promotes practical improvement through rapid chess and blitz chess events, so members can build both calculation and clock-management skills. Furthermore, the club is known for organizing the Llinars International Chess Open, a flagship open chess tournament that attracts a broad field of players.
At the same time, the club invests in development chess with a clear pathway for newcomers and improving players through chess training and organized participation. Therefore, Escacs Llinars remains a strong local reference point for players who want consistent competition, a supportive club culture, and reliable fair play standards.
