Viktor Kortschnoi Memorial and 2nd International Women’s Day
Honouring a giant of the game and celebrating women’s chess, the Viktor-Kortschnoi-Memorial & 2nd International Women’s Day Open 2026 will run on 3–8 March 2026 in Weissenhorn, Germany. The festival unites a closed, norm-friendly round-robin (the Memorial) with a parallel Women’s Open in two rating groups (A & B). Clear classical time controls with increment from move one, professional arbiting, and daily double-rounds on selected days make for a compact, international week of chess.
Hosted by Jussupow Schachschule, the event continues its mission to pair rising talents with experienced masters in a respectful, competitive setting. With straightforward schedules, live-rated games, and convenient regional access in Bavaria’s Neu-Ulm district, players can focus on their best chess while enjoying a welcoming festival atmosphere in Weissenhorn.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | 3-8 March 2026 (Tue–Sun) |
| 📍 Location | Weissenhorn, Bavaria, Germany |
| ♟️ Format | Closed Round-Robin (Memorial) + Women’s Open in two groups (A: 9-round Swiss, B: 7-round Swiss) |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 60 min / 40 moves + 30 min, with +30″/move from move 1 (all sections) |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE & national rated (Standard) |
| 👤 Tournament Director | IO/GM Artur Jussupow |
| 👩 Chief Arbiter | IA Nadja Jussupow |
| 👥 Deputy Chief Arbiter | IA Dan-Peter Poetke |
| 🔖 Notes | FIDE ID required for rating; players must comply with fair-play/device rules |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
System: Round-Robin (Memorial) and Swiss (Women’s Open A & B).
Cadence: 60′/40 + 30′, +30″/move from move 1.
Pairings & tie-breaks: As announced on site per FIDE Standard regulations.
Default time: Per FIDE Laws (arrive early for every round).
Fair-play: Electronic devices must be fully switched off in the playing area unless explicitly permitted by the arbiter.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Format | Rounds | Eligibility | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viktor-Kortschnoi-Memorial | Closed round-robin | 9 | By invitation | FIDE & national (Standard) |
| Women’s Open — Group A | Swiss | 9 | Women players (per organiser entry rules) | FIDE & national (Standard) |
| Women’s Open — Group B | Swiss | 7 | Women players (per organiser entry rules) | FIDE & national (Standard) |
📅 Schedule
Viktor-Kortschnoi-Memorial (Round-Robin)
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, 3 Mar 2026 | 16:00 | Round 1 |
| Wed, 4 Mar 2026 | 10:00 | Round 2 |
| Wed, 4 Mar 2026 | 16:00 | Round 3 |
| Thu, 5 Mar 2026 | 10:00 | Round 4 |
| Thu, 5 Mar 2026 | 16:00 | Round 5 |
| Fri, 6 Mar 2026 | 16:00 | Round 6 |
| Sat, 7 Mar 2026 | 10:00 | Round 7 |
| Sat, 7 Mar 2026 | 16:00 | Round 8 |
| Sun, 8 Mar 2026 | 10:00 | Round 9 & Closing |
Women’s Open — Group A (9-round Swiss)
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, 3 Mar 2026 | 16:00 | Round 1 |
| Wed, 4 Mar 2026 | 10:00 | Round 2 |
| Wed, 4 Mar 2026 | 16:00 | Round 3 |
| Thu, 5 Mar 2026 | 10:00 | Round 4 |
| Thu, 5 Mar 2026 | 16:00 | Round 5 |
| Fri, 6 Mar 2026 | 16:00 | Round 6 |
| Sat, 7 Mar 2026 | 10:00 | Round 7 |
| Sat, 7 Mar 2026 | 16:00 | Round 8 |
| Sun, 8 Mar 2026 | 10:00 | Round 9 & Awards |
(For Group B, the organiser publishes round order on site across the same event window.)
📝 Registration
How to enter: submit your entry via the organiser’s contact channels, stating full name, federation, FIDE ID, and chosen section (A/B).
Requirements: Valid FIDE ID for rating; carry ID for on-site verification.
Communication: Pairings, results and festival notices are published by the organiser during the event.
Data & media: By entering, players consent to rating submission and publication of pairings, results and event photos.
👥 Organizer
Jussupow Schachschule gGmbH (FIDE Academy) runs the festival in Weissenhorn, combining norm-friendly closed events with inclusive open tournaments and youth development. The team brings decades of international experience and clear, player-first organisation.
Phone: +49 7309 426059
Website (academy): https://www.jussupow-schachschule.de
Website (Memorial): https://legends-of-chess.com
🏨 Venue
Weissenhorn, Bavaria, Germany – a quiet, well-connected town in the Neu-Ulm district. The organizer assigns a central playing hall suited to classical chess; arrival instructions and on-site signage will guide players to the exact room.
🛎️ Accommodation
Wide range of hotels and guesthouses in Weissenhorn and the Neu-Ulm / Ulm area (10–20 minutes by car).
Consider booking early for March weekends; ask the organizer for any partner options.
🚗 How to Get There
Train: Regional services to Weissenhorn or Ulm/Neu-Ulm, then local transfer to the venue.
Car: Easy access from A7/A8 corridors toward Neu-Ulm/Ulm; follow local signage to Weissenhorn.
Air: Munich (MUC) or Stuttgart (STR) with onward train to Ulm/Neu-Ulm and local transfer.
Play focused classical chess in a friendly, international setting—join the Viktor-Kortschnoi-Memorial & 2nd International Women’s Day Open 2026 in Weissenhorn.