Granada hosts the Granada Chess Open 2026 from Tuesday, July 28 to Sunday, August 2, 2026 in Granada, Spain. This FIDE-rated 9-round Swiss open also counts for international title norms, which makes it attractive to ambitious improvers and titled players alike. The event takes place at a four-star hotel venue near Granada’s landmark Alhambra and Generalife, giving players a strong tournament setting in one of Spain’s most visited cities.

The organizer limits the field to 400 players and confirms entries only after receiving payment proof. The tournament uses a classical time control of 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move and allows up to three half-point byes in the first six rounds with a timely written request. A published prize package totals €13,000, with main prizes, women’s prizes, veteran prizes, rating-group prizes, and a special category for players domiciled in the province of Granada.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

General prizes

Veteran (Over 50)

Female prizes

Elo rating prizes

Granada players (domiciled in the province of Granada)

Prize rules:

• The tournament does not award cumulative prizes, and a player receives only the highest-value prize.

• The organizer applies tax withholding to prizes according to current legislation.

• When multiple players tie for maximum points, they share equally the total sum of the prizes they are entitled to based on their ranking.

• The veteran category applies to ages reached during 2026.

• The organizer defines “Granada players” as players officially registered as residents in a municipality within the province of Granada.

• The organizer uses the same rating that determines the initial ranking to determine Elo-category eligibility.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament runs a 9-round Swiss system and pairs games with Swiss-Manager.

Time control:

• Each player receives 90 minutes for the whole game and gains 30 seconds per move from move 1.

Seeding and ratings:

• The organizer seeds players by the July 2026 FIDE Elo list.

• A player without FIDE Elo uses the last published FADA (regional) Elo for seeding.

• A player without an Elo rating enters below rated players and the organizer orders those players alphabetically.

Late arrival and forfeits:

• A player loses by forfeit when the player arrives more than 30 minutes after the arbiter starts the round.

Byes:

• Players may request up to three half-point byes in the first six rounds.

• Players must submit each request in writing before the organizer publishes the pairings for the round.

Tie-breaks:

• Buchholz -2 (Baku 2023)

• Buchholz -1 (Baku 2023)

• Progressive score

• Sonneborn-Berger (Baku 2023)

📂 Sections / Groups

The organizer runs one open Swiss section and awards additional prizes by category, including women, veterans (Over 50), Elo rating groups, and Granada-domiciled players.

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

Players register online through the tournament website and complete payment through the online platform.

Website: https://www.granadachessopen.com/en/

Registration deadline:

• Friday, July 24, 2026

Capacity and confirmation:

• The organizer limits the tournament to 400 players and confirms entry only after receiving proof of payment.

• The organizer places additional applicants on a waiting list and admits them as withdrawals create vacancies.

Entry fees

Titled players:

• GM, IM, WGM, WIM: invited by the organization.

Refunds:

• The organizer refunds the fee only when a player withdraws in writing before the organizer publishes the Round 1 pairings.

• The organizer does not refund the fee if it proves that a player registered in another tournament that overlaps the Granada Chess Open dates.

Player requirements note:

• Players with an ESP federation flag must hold federation status to participate.

Contact for special situations:
Email: info@granadachessopen.com

👥 Organizer

C.A. Villa de La Zubia organizes the Granada Chess Open and manages registrations, pairing operations, and prize awards while building an international meeting point for players across all levels.

Email: info@granadachessopen.com
Website: https://www.granadachessopen.com/en/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/granadachessopen/

🏨 Venue

Hotel Porcel Alixares hosts the tournament at Paseo de la Sabica 40, Granada, Spain, a short distance from the Alhambra and Generalife area. The hotel setting supports a full 9-round classical schedule with on-site accommodation options for players who want to stay at the playing site.

🛎️ Accommodation

Hotel Porcel Alixares (rates per room per night; 10% fee included)

Booking notes:

• The organizer sends a discount coupon by email after confirming registration.

🚗 How to Get There

You can reach Granada and continue to Hotel Porcel Alixares on Paseo de la Sabica near the Alhambra area by taxi, rideshare, or local transport. Plan arrival so you can start Round 1 on Tuesday afternoon.

Make Granada your summer chess destination and play nine demanding classical rounds in a norm-capable international open.

🧾 Other

• Players must record moves legibly on the scoresheets provided by the organizer.

• Players accept the publication of images and personal data for tournament promotion and reporting when they register.

• The organizer pays special attention to hygiene and may remove a participant after a warning when hygiene issues disturb other players.

• Appeals require a written submission within 30 minutes and a €50 deposit, with refund conditions based on the committee decision.