The Wellness Chess Tour GP5 Station takes place April 30-May 3, 2026 in Esztergom, Hungary, welcoming competitive players to a 7-round Swiss Open that combines serious classical chess with a relaxed wellness-hotel setting. The event runs at Hotel Bellevue in Esztergom and targets players who want rated competition, consistent round timing, and a comfortable on-site experience with half board and thermal spa access.
The tournament offers a HUF 400,000 guaranteed cash prize fund with at least 50 participants and adds additional category awards where eligible. The schedule includes two rounds on Day 1, a steady morning and afternoon rhythm through the weekend, and an evening blitz event on Saturday. If you value strong tournament focus alongside a full hotel stay-and-play atmosphere, this Grand Prix station fits perfectly.
🗓️ Event Details
| 📅 Dates | April 30-May 3, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Esztergom, Hungary |
| ♟️ Format | 7-round Swiss Open |
| 📂 Sections | Main tournament (Swiss Open) |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move |
| 💳 Entry fee | Above 2200 ELO: HUF 9,000; 2199–2100 ELO: HUF 12,000; Under 2100 ELO: HUF 14,000; Free for GM, IM, WGM |
| 💰 Prize fund | HUF 400,000 (guaranteed with at least 50 participants) |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Entry deadline: April 29, 2026 (email registration); valid 2026 license required |
🏆 Prize Fund
Main prizes
| Place | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st | HUF 180,000 |
| 2nd | HUF 100,000 |
| 3rd | HUF 50,000 |
| 4th | HUF 25,000 |
| 5th | HUF 15,000 |
Rating prizes
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| ELO 0–1800 | HUF 15,000 |
| ELO 1801–2000 | HUF 15,000 |
The organizers do not split prizes. Hungarian law governs any applicable taxes and contributions.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament runs 7 rounds as a Swiss Open with a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment per move. The default time is 60 minutes. Tie-breaks apply in this order: Corrective Buchholz, Buchholz, Progressive.
📂 Sections / Groups
The event runs as a single Swiss Open. The organizers also award special recognition for best young player, best player from Komárom-Esztergom County, best player aged 60+, and best woman when at least three women participate.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 30, 2026 | Thursday | 10:50 | Opening ceremony |
| April 30, 2026 | Thursday | 11:00 | Round 1 |
| April 30, 2026 | Thursday | 16:00 | Round 2 |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | 9:00am | Round 3 |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | 9:00am | Round 4 |
| May 2, 2026 | Saturday | 9:00am | Round 5 |
| May 2, 2026 | Saturday | 3:00pm | Round 6 |
| May 2, 2026 | Saturday | 7:30pm (approx.) | Blitz tournament |
| May 3, 2026 | Sunday | 9:00am | Round 7 |
📝 Registration
Register by email by April 29, 2026, and wait for registration confirmation.
Registration email: sporty207@gmail.com
Players may enter only with a valid 2026 license or a valid Hungarian playing license (HPL).
👥 Organizer
Jozsef Jeszenszky organizes this Wellness Chess Tour Grand Prix station to support competitive play, consistent tournament operations, and a complete stay-and-play hotel experience in Esztergom. The organizing team manages entries, accommodation reservations, and event coordination directly through the official contact channels.
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Email: sporty207@gmail.com
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Phone: +36 30 640 3361
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Website: https://www.wellnesschesstour.com
🏨 Venue
Hotel Bellevue*** Esztergom, Őrtorony street 49, 2500 Esztergom, Hungary
The tournament takes place in the hotel conference room at Hotel Bellevue in Esztergom. The venue supports a dedicated playing space within a full-service wellness hotel environment.
🛎️ Accommodation
Hotel Bellevue offers half board with buffet breakfast and dinner and provides wellness access as part of the stay package. The tournament director manages reservations by email.
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Reservation email: sporty207@gmail.com
Room rates (4 days / 3 nights)
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Standard single room (1 person): HUF 24,900 per person per night (limited)
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Standard double room (1 person): HUF 34,900 per person per night
Children
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Ages 0–3: free
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Ages 4–12 (extra bed): HUF 11,450 per person per night
Tourist tax: HUF 500 per person per night (not included).
Payment methods: bank card, cash, credit card, SZÉP card.
🚗 How to Get There
Travel to Esztergom and proceed to Hotel Bellevue at Őrtorony street 49. Plan your arrival to settle in before the opening ceremony and Round 1 on Thursday.
Use this four-day format to build momentum early, stay consistent through the weekend rounds, and finish strong in a prize-funded Swiss Open by the Danube.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - HUF 400,000
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Wellness Chess Tour is a Hungary-based chess tournament organizer led by József Jeszenszky, who has organized and managed competitions since 2012. The tour builds its events around wellness hotel chess events, where players can find accommodation, meals, spa or wellness facilities, and the playing hall in one location.
The organizer focuses on practical tournament weekends for players who want serious over-the-board games with a complete stay-and-play setup. Its events take place in hotel and spa destinations across Hungary and nearby countries. As a result, players can combine competitive chess with travel, rest, and straightforward event logistics.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
Wellness Chess Tour runs an active Grand Prix competition series with regular tournament stations in cities and resort areas such as Miskolctapolca, Harkány, Pécs, Szentgotthárd, Esztergom, Hévíz, Lendava, and Selce-Crikvenica. The calendar includes multi-day open tournaments, hotel-based competition weekends, and Premium International Chess Tournament events in Budapest.
Many Wellness Chess Tour events use a seven-round Swiss format and a classical 90+30 time control. Several events also carry FIDE standard rating evaluation, which makes the tour attractive for players who want rating progress and serious tournament practice. In addition, the tour often adds blitz side events, Grand Prix points, loyalty discounts, and group discounts for players from the same chess association.
The series has a clear competitive identity. Players can follow the annual Grand Prix table, collect points across stations, and compete for final prizes linked to repeated participation. Therefore, the organizer supports both one-time tournament visitors and regular players who travel through the series.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Players can expect a compact tournament rhythm, direct registration by email, and practical communication with the tournament director. Most events place the playing hall inside the same hotel complex as the accommodation and wellness facilities. This format reduces travel between rounds and helps players focus on their games.
The tour suits adult competitors, titled players, club players, and ambitious improvers who want FIDE-rated open tournaments in a relaxed hotel setting. Moreover, the event structure gives accompanying family members and guests a more comfortable weekend format. Wellness Chess Tour also connects chess with spa towns, conference hotels, seaside venues, and regional travel destinations. Overall, the organizer gives players a recognizable route into classical chess in Hungary and selected international tournament stops.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
