Thessaloniki hosts once again the 46th “White Tower” – 8th International OPEN SKG, a classical open chess festival that brings ambitious players and titled competitors together in Thessaloniki, Greece. You play a full week of FIDE-rated games at the Porto Palace Hotel, fight for a solid prize fund, and enjoy a professional tournament atmosphere in one of Greece’s most historic and vibrant cities.

You compete from Saturday, January 3, to Saturday, January 10, 2026, in three rating groups that cover a wide range of Elo levels, so both strong masters and improving club players can find the right challenge. Organizers run the event with Swiss pairings, classical time control, strict fair-play measures, and full FIDE and Greek Chess Federation rating, which makes every round count for your chess progress.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

Organizers distribute prizes separately by group and category and announce the exact breakdown in their detailed regulations and on-site information.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

• Organizers use a classical time control in all groups: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, then 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment from move one.

• All groups follow the Swiss system, with nine rounds in Groups A and B and seven rounds in Group C.

• The tournament uses FIDE Laws of Chess and Greek Chess Federation regulations, so you play under familiar international rules.

• Arbiters apply strict fair-play and anti-cheating procedures, including checks and monitoring to protect the integrity of the games.

📂 Sections / Groups

📅 Schedule

Organizers provide the detailed round-by-round schedule, including start times and ceremonies, in their official announcements and on-site information boards.

📝 Registration

You register in advance to secure your place in the appropriate rating group.

Registration options:

• Online form: https://forms.gle/1BTsvr6m8rqNdCZo9

• Tournament email: chess.tournament.skg@gmail.com

When you register, you include your full name, FIDE ID (if any), federation, current rating, and desired group (A, B, or C). Organizers set a registration deadline shortly before the first round and ask players to complete their entry and any required payments on time to appear in the initial pairings.

👥 Organizer

Thessaloniki Chess Academy “White Tower” works together with Papafi Chess Club “To Chroniko” and Moudanion Chess Academy to deliver the 46th “White Tower” – 8th International OPEN SKG as a high-level festival in northern Greece. The organizing team cooperates closely with the Thessaloniki–Chalkidiki Chess Union and Porto Palace Hotel Thessaloniki to provide strong arbiters, comfortable playing halls, and a professional environment for all participants.

• Email (tournament): chess.tournament.skg@gmail.com

• Email (club): white.tower.chess@gmail.com

• Website: https://skakithessaloniki.gr

🏨 Venue

You play in the conference halls of Porto Palace Hotel Thessaloniki, a well-known five-star hotel located at 65 26th Oktovriou Avenue, 54628 Thessaloniki, Greece. The venue combines spacious playing areas, comfortable seating, and hotel services, so you can focus on your games while staying close to the city center and the port area.

🛎️ Accommodation

Many players choose to stay directly at Porto Palace Hotel Thessaloniki, which hosts the tournament and offers on-site rooms, breakfast, and additional facilities. Staying at the venue lets you reach the playing hall in a few minutes and rest between rounds without commuting.

You can also book alternative hotels or apartments in Thessaloniki, depending on your budget and travel plan. The city offers a wide range of options near the port and the center, so you can combine the chess festival with sightseeing, dining, and evening walks along the waterfront. Players contact their preferred accommodation provider directly and mention the tournament dates of January 3–10, 2026 when making reservations.

🚗 How to Get There

Thessaloniki lies in northern Greece and connects easily with air, rail, and road transport. If you arrive by air, you fly to Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia” (SKG) and then reach Porto Palace Hotel by taxi or airport bus toward the city center and port area. The ride usually takes around 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic.

If you arrive by train or intercity bus, you first reach central Thessaloniki and then continue to the venue by taxi or local bus along 26th Oktovriou Avenue. Drivers can enter “Porto Palace Hotel Thessaloniki, 65 26th Oktovriou Avenue, 54628 Thessaloniki, Greece” into their navigation system and follow the signs to the hotel and nearby parking areas.

🧾 Other

• Organizers follow FIDE and Greek Chess Federation regulations and reserve the right to adjust technical details of the event, while they announce any changes in advance to players.

• The festival uses strict mobile phone and electronic device rules in the playing area, so you should keep your devices switched off and stored according to arbiter’s instructions.

• Pairings and results appear online and on information boards at the venue, so you can track your standings and prepare for upcoming rounds.

You can start your chess year in Thessaloniki, enjoy a full week of classical games, and challenge yourself against strong opponents at the 46th “White Tower” – 8th International OPEN SKG. This event gives you the chance to combine serious tournament play with the unique atmosphere, history, and energy of one of Greece’s most beautiful cities.