São Paulo’s festival returns with the III Sampa Chess Open 2026 – a multi-event week offering Classical, Rapid, Blitz, and Rapid Pairs from 27 January to 1 February 2026. Staged at the Mega Loja Casas Bahia, the Open brings WIM/WGM/IM/GM norm chances, a friendly big-city vibe, and live broadcast via IDchess. Whether you’re chasing norms in the classical or just want a high-energy weekend of rapid and blitz, Sampa delivers a well-organized, centrally located experience.

Across six days, players can mix formats: nine-round classical with 90+30, a one-day rapid, a separate rapid pairs event, and a closing-day blitz. The festival features clear rating prizes and age/ladies awards, practical payment options (PIX/bank), and straightforward online entry forms. Bold highlights: III Sampa Chess Open 2026, 27 Jan – 1 Feb 2026, Mega Loja Casas Bahia, São Paulo (Brazil).

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

(Prizes in BRL; prize money is not split or cumulative. Presence at ceremony required; payments via PIX after the event.)

Classical (STD) — Guaranteed (R$ 8,000)

Rapid (RPD) — Guaranteed (R$ 1,000)

Blitz (BLZ) — Guaranteed (R$ 1,000)

Projection with higher entries: Prize pools may scale up to R$ 20,000 (STD+RPD+BLZ combined) when festival entry thresholds are met.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

• Classical: 90′ + 30″ (9 rounds), FIDE/CBX rated; accelerated pairings (Baku) may be used.

• Rapid: 12′ + 3″ (7 rounds).

• Rapid Pairs: 12′ + 3″ (up to 5 rounds).

• Blitz: 3′ + 2″ (9 rounds), accelerated method where stated.

• Tie-break order: Direct Encounter → Sonneborn–Berger → Buchholz Cut-1 → Buchholz Total → Number of Wins → Most games with Black → Draw of lots.

• Electronic devices: Carrying/using phones or electronics during play is forbidden (loss of game).

• Equipment: Bring board, pieces, and digital clock; a limited number will be available on site.

📂 Sections / Groups

📅 Schedule

(Local time — São Paulo)

📝 Registration

• Event site: https://sampachessopen.com/

• Individual entry form: https://forms.gle/LQ33nZUQDDGrKg6Y7

• Rapid Pairs entry form: https://forms.gle/LmviSRJ6MvSphm8G6

• Payment options: PIX 12981516006 (celular) • Banco do Brasil (Ag. 6926-4 / Cc. 6342-8) • Itaú (Ag. 7427 / Cc. 36980-1) • Boleto on request (email/WhatsApp)

• Discounts:

  • Age 60+: –50% on 2nd-lot fee (RPD R$50, BLZ R$50, STD R$220; not cumulative).

  • Titled (MN/MNF/CM/WCM/FM/WFM) with FIDE ≥2000 in the discipline: –50% (same rule as above).

  • GM/IM/WGM/WIM: Free if confirmed by 15 Dec (special conditions for early GMs/IMs).

• Refunds: Request within 7 days of payment. Entries are personal and non-transferable; no credit/refund after the deadline.

• Contacts (Org/Arbitration): Ed Rosas — +55 (21) 96499-5591 — contato@edrosas.com.br • Erick Ramos — +55 (12) 98151-6006 — erick.amramos@gmail.com

👥 Organizer

Organized by Vale + Sports Events with support from partners and local sponsors; Appeals Committee formed at the Technical Meeting (written appeal within 15 minutes of round end with R$ 300 fee).

🏨 Venue

All tournaments are hosted at Mega Loja Casas Bahia, Av. Emb. Macedo Soares, 9175 – Lapa, São Paulo – SP, 05035-900 — a large-format store venue with ample space, easy access to transit, and many nearby hotels and eateries in São Paulo’s west zone.

🛎️ Accommodation

No official hotel is mandated. Players typically book independently in Lapa, Barra Funda, or Pinheiros; São Paulo offers a wide range from budget to premium within a 10–20 minute ride of the venue.

🚗 How to Get There

• Metro/Train: Lines to Barra Funda or Lapa with short bus/ride-hail to the venue.

• Air: Fly to GRU (Guarulhos) or CGH (Congonhas), then taxi/app to Lapa.

• Car: Access via Marginal Tietê; allow extra time for peak-hour traffic. Parking options are available nearby (check local rules).

Wrap your January with a chess festival that blends norm chances, multiple formats, and São Paulo energy – join the III Sampa Chess Open 2026 at Mega Loja Casas Bahia!