Görlitz welcomes players to the XL Äskulap Open on April 1-4, 2026 in Görlitz, Germany, and it delivers a compact four-day classical tournament that rewards consistent scoring across seven rounds. The organizers target competitive club players and experienced open-tournament regulars who want FIDE Elo and DWZ rating, professional Swiss pairings, and a reliable playing environment in a focused playing hall setting.

The tournament uses an accelerated Swiss structure and a long classical time control that keeps games decisive and endgames meaningful. The organizers require a valid FIDE ID for participation and manage entries under a published 200-player capacity. You can expect a clear check-in process on the first day, a structured finish on Saturday, and prize distribution that ties directly to the official closing ceremony.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

The organizers guarantee a €1,200 first prize when at least 160 paying players enter. The organizers award additional cash and rating prizes, and they do not allow double prizes. Players must attend the award ceremony to receive prize money.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament runs a 7-round accelerated Swiss and applies FIDE rules for play and conduct. Players use 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes for the rest of the game, plus a 30-second increment from move 1. The organizers enforce a 60-minute default time. The tournament applies Buchholz tie-breaks, starting with Buchholz and then Buchholz sum.

📂 Sections / Groups

The organizers run a single Open section and accept entries until they reach the published capacity, subject to the FIDE ID requirement.

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

You register in writing by March 20, 2026 and pay the entry fee to confirm your place. The organizers charge €80 for adults and €50 for youth (born 2008 or later). The organizers add €5 when your transfer arrives after the registration deadline, and they add €10 when you pay cash on the first day. You must complete on-site registration by 4:00 PM on April 1, and the organizers expect you to notify the team when you plan to arrive late.

Bank transfer details
Account holder: Schachverein Görlitz 1990 e.V.
IBAN: DE95 8505 0100 0016 0000 99
BIC: WELADED1GRL

👥 Organizer

Schachverein Görlitz 1990 e.V. runs the XL Äskulap Open and manages entries, pairings, and awards through the tournament director and the event team.

• Email: aeskulap@sv-goerlitz.de

• Phone: +49 176 72972755

• Website: www.schachverein-goerlitz.de/alpha/schach.html

🏨 Venue

Jugendhaus “Wartburg” hosts the tournament in a dedicated event setting in Görlitz and supports players with practical on-site options for snacks and meals during tournament days. Jugendhaus “Wartburg”, Johannes-Wüsten-Straße 21, 02826 Görlitz, Germany

🛎️ Accommodation

You arrange accommodation independently, and the organizer points players to the city information portal for lodging options: www.goerlitz.de/tourismus

🚗 How to Get There

Plan your arrival so you can reach Jugendhaus “Wartburg” and complete on-site registration by 4:00 PM on April 1, then start Round 1 on time.

Bring your best classical focus to Görlitz and use seven rounds to turn preparation into a result that carries real weight.

🧾 Other

The organizers require you to attend the awards ceremony to receive prize money. Your registration allows event photo and video coverage for tournament communication, and you can revoke that permission for future use.