Chess competition returns to Thuringia with the TOBOL Chess Open 2026 from Friday, March 13 to Sunday, March 15, 2026 in Leinefelde-Worbis, Germany. The event runs as a weekend Swiss open with two parallel sections, which makes it a practical choice for club players, ambitious juniors, and experienced tournament regulars. The organizers structure the field with clear rating-based entry targets and offer both Elo and DWZ evaluation where applicable.

This congress-style tournament delivers five classical rounds across three days and awards cash prizes in both sections, plus multiple rating-category prizes. The organizers require non-cumulative prizes and award prizes only to players who attend the closing ceremony, which keeps the prize distribution clear and efficient. Leinefelde-Worbis also offers several nearby lodging options, which makes the weekend easy to plan.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

A-Open main prizes:

B-Open main prizes:

Rating prizes:

Prize rules:

• The organizers guarantee prizes from a combined total of 60 participants in A-Open and B-Open.

• The tournament does not allow double prizes, and each player receives only one prize.

• Players must attend the prize ceremony in person to receive prizes.

• Players without a rating are not eligible for the DWZ rating prizes.

• The organizers rank tied players by Buchholz, then Sonneborn-Berger.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament runs 5 rounds under the Swiss system with a single time control: 90 minutes for 40 moves, plus 15 minutes to finish, with a 30-second increment from move one.

Rating evaluation:

• The organizers rate A-Open for FIDE Elo and DWZ.

• The organizers rate B-Open for DWZ.

• Players need a FIDE ID by the start of the tournament to play in the A-Open.

📂 Sections / Groups

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

Players register by email, and the organizer confirms the bank-transfer requirements after registration.

Email: tobolchessopen@eichsfelder-sportclub.de

Key rules:

• Registration deadline: Saturday, February 28, 2026

• The organizer adds players to the participant list only after the entry fee arrives.

Entry fees:

• A-Open: €50 adults; €30 youth U18 (born 2008 or later)

• B-Open: €35 adults; €20 youth U18 (born 2008 or later)

👥 Organizer

1. Eichsfelder Sportclub e.V. organizes the TOBOL Chess Open series and runs the event with an appointed arbiter team to support a structured weekend Swiss format.

Email: tobolchessopen@eichsfelder-sportclub.de
Website: https://eichsfelder-sportclub.de/schach/tobol-chess-open/

🏨 Venue

The tournament takes place at Mieterzentrum der WVL, Hahnstraße 2, 37327 Leinefelde-Worbis, Germany. The venue provides a central indoor setting suitable for parallel sections and a full five-round weekend schedule.

🛎️ Accommodation

🚗 How to Get There

You can travel to Leinefelde-Worbis by car and regional public transport, then continue locally to Hahnstraße 2. Plan arrival early on Friday to complete registration before the first round.

Bring your best weekend form to Leinefelde-Worbis and compete for cash prizes and rating awards in a focused five-round Swiss open.

🧾 Other

• The organizer may adjust details to manage the event smoothly.

• The arbiter for the tournament is Nico Markus.

• By registering and participating, players agree to photography and publication for tournament reporting and promotion.