4. Internationales Brühler
In the heart of the Rhineland, the 4. Internationales Brühler Open 2026 brings a fast-paced weekend festival to Brühl, Germany on Friday – Sunday, 20 – 22 February 2026. Hosted by Brühler Schachklub 1920 e.V., the event runs three rating-banded classical tournaments (A/B/C) over five rounds with a professional FIDE time control and a generous set of overall, rating, and special prizes. The venue is the multipurpose hall of Clemens-August-Schule—walkable from Brühl Mitte (tram line 18) and Brühl station.
Grouped by Turnierwertungszahl (TWZ), the Open caters to ambitious club players and titled competitors alike. All tournaments are FIDE & DWZ rated, with A and B seeded by Elo and C seeded by DWZ. Straightforward online entry, capped capacity (400 players), and nearby hotel options make planning easy for players traveling from across Germany, the Benelux, and beyond.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | Fri–Sun, 20 – 22 February 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Multipurpose Hall, Clemens August Schule |
| 🏠 Address | Clemens August Straße 33, 50321 Brühl, Germany |
| ♟️ Format | 3 tournaments (A/B/C) • 5-round Swiss (FIDE rules) |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 min/40 moves + 30 min, +30″/move from move 1 |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE & DWZ rated (A/B seeded by Elo; C seeded by DWZ) |
| ✅ Eligibility | A: TWZ ≥1800 (at registration) • B: 1400 ≤ TWZ < 2000 (at registration) • C: TWZ <1600 (at tournament start) |
| 🧾 Notes | If B/C entrant exceeds TWZ threshold before start, switching up is allowed for €10 |
| 🕰️ Default Time | 30 minutes |
| 👤 Chief Arbiter | Jeffrey Paulus, FA |
| 👥 Capacity | Max 400 players (order of payment receipt) |
🏆 Prize Fund
Total prize pool: €8,350
| Section | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-Open | €1,200 | €900 | €700 | €500 | €300 | €200 | €100 | €80 | €80 | €80 |
| Section | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-Open | €500 | €400 | €300 | €200 | €100 | €80 | €70 | €70 |
| C-Open | €250 | €200 | €150 | €100 | €80 | €60 | €50 | €50 |
Rating prizes (non-cumulative; 1st/2nd):
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A: ≤TWZ 2200 – €80/€50; ≤TWZ 2000 – €80/€50
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B: ≤TWZ 1900 – €80/€50; ≤TWZ 1700 – €80/€50; ≤TWZ 1500 – €80/€50
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C: ≤TWZ 1400 – €75/€45; ≤TWZ 1200 – €75/€45; ≤TWZ 1000 – €75/€45
Special prizes (each tournament): Best Senior (born ≤1965) €50 • Best Youth (born ≥2008) €50 • Best Woman €50.
Prices are split only if all tie-breaks remain equal; the one-prize rule applies (only the highest prize is paid). Non-resident prize taxation per law.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
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System: 5-round Swiss, FIDE laws apply.
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Cadence: 90′/40 + 30′, +30″/move from move 1.
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Default time: 30 minutes after the round starts.
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Seeding: A/B by Elo, C by DWZ.
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All tournaments submitted for FIDE and DWZ rating.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility (TWZ) | Seeding | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-Open | ≥1800 (at registration) | Elo | FIDE & DWZ |
| B-Open | 1400–1999 (at registration) | Elo | FIDE & DWZ |
| C-Open | <1600 (at tournament start; no exceptions) | DWZ | FIDE & DWZ |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, 20 Feb 2026 | 16:00–18:00 | Registration (all players) |
| Fri, 20 Feb 2026 | 18:30 | Round 1 |
| Sat, 21 Feb 2026 | 09:30 | Round 2 |
| Sat, 21 Feb 2026 | 16:00 | Round 3 |
| Sun, 22 Feb 2026 | 09:30 | Round 4 |
| Sun, 22 Feb 2026 | 16:00 | Round 5 |
📝 Registration
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Entry form: https://docs.google.com/forms/ (see “Anmelden” on the organiser’s page)
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Entry fees: A: €60 (Adults) / €50 (Juniors, cut-off 1 Jan 2008) • B: €50 / €40 • C: €40 / €30 • GM/WGM/IM/WIM free
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Payment deadline: 6 February 2026 (late payment +€10)
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Bank transfer: IBAN DE56 3705 0299 0133 3193 09 (Recipient: Brühler Schachklub 1920 e.V.; Reference: Name + A/B/C)
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Capacity rule: Entry order determined by date of payment receipt.
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FIDE ID: All players must have a valid FIDE ID before the start.
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Data/Media: By registering, players consent to rating submissions and publication of results/photos for event coverage.
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More info & live updates: https://www.bsk1920.de/pages/turniere/4-internationales-bruehler-open.php
👥 Organizer
Brühler Schachklub 1920 e.V. – one of the largest chess clubs in the Rhineland, running league teams from NRW-Liga downwards and hosting major open events with a strong youth program and friendly, efficient organization.
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Website: https://www.bsk1920.de/pages/turniere/4-internationales-bruehler-open.php
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Club/Home venue info: https://www.bsk1920.de/
🏨 Venue
Multipurpose Hall, Clemens-August-Schule
Clemens-August-Straße 33, 50321 Brühl, Germany
Bright, spacious school hall in central Brühl—5 minutes’ walk from Brühl Mitte (tram line 18) and ~15 minutes’ walk from Brühl railway station. On-site catering at fair prices during the event.
🛎️ Accommodation
| Property (walkable) | Typical Notes |
|---|---|
| Balthasar Neumann Gästehaus – https://balthasar-neumann.de | ~5–10 min walk; single from ~€79/night; double from ~€89/night |
| Hotel am Stern – https://www.hotel-am-stern.de | ~5–10 min walk; single ~€89 (players ~€84); double ~€119 (players ~€114) |
| H+ Hotel Brühl — https://www.h-hotels.com | ~10–15 min walk; variable rates (enquire) |
| RS-Hotel — https://rs-hotels.com | ~5–10 min walk; single from ~€80; double from ~€89 |
🚗 How to Get There
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Train: Regional services to Brühl station; ~15-minute walk to the venue.
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Tram: From Köln Hbf or Bonn Hbf, take line 18 to Brühl Mitte; ~5-minute walk.
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Car: Navigate to Clemens-August-Straße 33, 50321 Brühl; use local street/nearby public parking.
Bring your A-game to a well-run, centrally located weekend classic—Brühl welcomes you for five focused rounds, clear sections, and a deep prize list at the 4. Internationales Brühler Open 2026.
