11th International Chess Festival “Pasqua a Montesilvano”
11th International Chess Festival “Pasqua a Montesilvano”, April 3-6, 2026, Montesilvano, Italy brings competitive Easter-weekend chess to the Adriatic coast with three rating-banded open tournaments in one venue. The organizers welcome international and Italian players who want FIDE-rated classical chess, clear section thresholds, and a focused Swiss format with strong incentives at the top.
The festival runs three parallel opens (A, B, and C) with a 6-round Swiss schedule and a classical time control that rewards good technique and endgame accuracy. The organizers add a €2,350 cash prize fund across Open A and Open B, while Grand Hotel Adriatico supports the event atmosphere with on-site services and a dedicated accommodation offer for players and families.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | April 3-6, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Montesilvano, Italy |
| ♟️ Format | 6-round Swiss System (Open A, Open B, Open C) |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated (standard) |
| 📂 Sections | Open A, Open B, Open C |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes + 30-second increment per move |
| 💳 Entry fee | Open A & Open B: €75 (paid by March 19, 2026), €85 (paid by March 27, 2026), €95 (paid by April 2, 2026). Open C: €65, €75, €85. Under 16: €60, €70, €80 |
| 💰 Prize fund | €2,350 (cash prizes only) |
| 👤 Eligibility | Open A: Elo 1850+. Open B: 1575 ≤ Elo < 1900. Open C: Elo < 1625. Italian players and foreign players residing in Italy must hold an FSI 2026 card (agonistica or juniores for U18) |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Players must arrive within 60 minutes of the round start time. The organizers award prizes only to players who attend the prize-giving ceremony. The organizers do not cumulate or split prizes |
🏆 Prize Fund
Open A (cash prizes)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €450 |
| 2nd | €350 |
| 3rd | €275 |
| 4th | €200 |
| 5th | €150 |
| 6th | €125 |
Open A (additional awards)
| Place / Category | Award |
|---|---|
| 1st | Trophy |
| 7th | Voucher €100 “Le Due Torri” |
| 8th | Voucher €90 “Le Due Torri” |
| Best Elo under 2000 | Chess book + chess DVD |
Open B (cash prizes)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €225 |
| 2nd | €200 |
| 3rd | €150 |
| 4th | €125 |
| 5th | €100 |
Open B (additional awards)
| Place / Category | Award |
|---|---|
| 1st | Cup |
| 2nd | Cup |
| 3rd | Cup |
| 6th | Voucher €100 “Le Due Torri” |
| 7th | Voucher €90 “Le Due Torri” |
| 8th | Voucher €80 “Le Due Torri” |
| Best Elo under 1700 | Chess book + chess DVD |
Open C (awards)
| Place | Award |
|---|---|
| 1st | Voucher €100 “Le Due Torri” + chess book + trophy |
| 2nd | Voucher €90 “Le Due Torri” + chess book + cup |
| 3rd | Voucher €80 “Le Due Torri” + chess DVD + cup |
| 4th | Voucher €70 “Le Due Torri” + chess DVD |
| 5th | Chess book + chess DVD |
The organizers do not cumulate or split prizes, and they apply tie-breaks to determine final standings. The organizers can apply legal tax withholdings where required.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The organizers run Open A, Open B, and Open C as 6-round Swiss tournaments with a time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move from move 1. Players may arrive up to 60 minutes late; the arbiter scores a forfeit loss after that limit.
The organizers rank players by points, then apply International Buchholz with these tie-breaks: Buchholz Cut-1, Buchholz Total, and Average Elo of Opponents. The organizers score a pairing-allocated bye as a win for tie-break purposes.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open A | Elo 1850+ | The organizers can admit up to three players below the minimum cut with Elo at least 1800 |
| Open B | 1575 ≤ Elo < 1900 | The organizers can admit up to three players below the minimum cut |
| Open C | Elo below 1625 | The organizers can admit up to three players below the minimum cut |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | 5:30 PM–7:30 PM | Player confirmations |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | 8:15 PM | Round 1 |
| April 4, 2026 | Saturday | 10:00 AM | Round 2 |
| April 4, 2026 | Saturday | 4:00 PM | Round 3 |
| April 5, 2026 | Sunday | 4:30 PM | Round 4 |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | 9:00 AM | Round 5 |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | 3:00 PM | Round 6 |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | After Round 6 | Prize-giving ceremony |
📝 Registration
Register and request hotel reservations through the organizer contact. Pay the entry fee by bank transfer to ASD Circolo Scacchi R. Fischer Chieti at IBAN IT66M0538515521CC2860002724.
The organizers set these payment deadlines and fees: Open A & Open B cost €75 if you pay by March 19, 2026, €85 if you pay by March 27, 2026, and €95 if you pay by April 2, 2026. Open C costs €65, €75, and €85 on the same deadlines. Under 16 costs €60, €70, and €80 on the same deadlines.
The organizers add a €10 surcharge for payments made after March 19, 2026 and by March 27, 2026, and they add a further €10 surcharge for payments after March 27, 2026 and require an instant bank transfer.
👥 Organizer
A.S.D. Circolo Scacchi R. Fischer Chieti runs the Pasqua a Montesilvano festival as a FIDE-rated Easter event that combines structured section thresholds with a classic Swiss format and a clear prize policy. Andrea Rebeggiani coordinates tournament registrations and hotel reservations and supports players through WhatsApp and email.
Email: andrea.rebeggiani@gmail.com, asdfischerchieti@gmail.com
Phone: +39 338 6756623
🏨 Venue
Grand Hotel Adriatico, Via Maresca, 10, Montesilvano (PE), Italy
Grand Hotel Adriatico hosts the playing halls inside a full-service seaside hotel environment and supports players with on-site hospitality throughout the festival. The hotel offers amenities that include an American bar, TV room, continuous front-desk support, a valuables deposit service, internal and external parking, a private beach, and late check-out options based on availability.
🛎️ Accommodation
Grand Hotel Adriatico offers a special minimum 3-day package in full board from dinner on Friday, April 3 to lunch on Monday, April 6, including water and wine at meals, free Wi-Fi, and late check-out subject to availability.
| Room / Guest type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Adult single room (per person, per day) | €92 |
| Adult double room (per person, per day) | €74 |
| Adult triple room (per person, per day) | €68 |
| Child in 3rd/4th bed with parents (age 0–3) | Free |
| Child in 3rd/4th bed with parents (age 3–11) | €35 per day |
| Child in 3rd/4th bed with parents (age 11–16) | €47 per day |
| Child in double room with one parent (age 3–11) | €55 per day |
| Child in double room with one parent (age 11–16) | €60 per day |
Contact Andrea Rebeggiani for quotes, half board, or B&B options and for booking requests. Confirm hotel bookings with a €70 deposit per person by March 17, 2026; the hotel provides the bank details in the received quote.
🚗 How to Get There
Drive via the A14 Bologna–Bari highway and take the Pescara Nord exit; the hotel sits near that exit. You can also arrive by train to Pescara station and continue to the hotel, and you can fly into the local airport and travel onward to Montesilvano.
Play six serious classical rounds in Montesilvano and turn your Easter weekend into a complete tournament experience at the Grand Hotel Adriatico.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - €2,350
Organizer
A.S.D. Circolo Scacchi R. Fischer Chieti (Fischer Scacchi Chieti) is a chess club based in Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy. It supports competitive and community chess across the province. Over the years, it has become a reference point for organized over-the-board play in the region.
The club organizes the International Chess Festival “Pasqua a Montesilvano” in Montesilvano, near Pescara. In addition, it runs FIDE-rated opens, team events, and junior competitions throughout the year. Moreover, its tournaments emphasize clear regulations and reliable on-site delivery.
Furthermore, the club invests in coaching and structured development for younger players. At the same time, it promotes fair play and consistent playing conditions. As a result, participants can expect a welcoming atmosphere alongside serious competition.
Address: Viale Giovanni Amendola 85, 66100 Chieti (CH), Italy
Email: asdfischerchieti@gmail.com
Email 2: andrea.rebeggiani@gmail.com
Phone: +39 338 675 6623
Main contact: Andrea Rebeggiani