Experience a full week of classical chess at the 19th Plancoët International Open 2026, running July 11-17, 2026 in Plancoët, France. Emeraude Echecs delivers a 9-round Swiss festival with three FIDE-rated tournaments, so ambitious juniors, improving club players, and seasoned competitors can all find a suitable competitive field. The event targets distinct rating bands, keeps the focus on serious over-the-board play, and puts €7,000 in total cash prizes on offer. With its long-running tradition and clear section structure, Plancoët stands out as a practical summer destination for players who want rated games every day.
The tournament uses the FIDE Standard rating list for August 2026 and pairs players in Swiss-System rounds throughout the week. The organizer welcomes international participation and provides separate entry fees for seniors and youth across the three tournaments. Players can request a section change by contacting the organizer during July 2026 where applicable. The playing hall sits at the Salle Omnisport Joseph Samson, giving the event a single, straightforward venue base in town.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | July 11-17, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Plancoët, France |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss-System (separate Tournoi A, B, and C) |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated (Standard), FIDE August 2026 rating list |
| 📂 Sections | Tournoi A, Tournoi B, Tournoi C |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes for 40 moves + 30 minutes to finish, with 30-second increment from move 1 |
| 💳 Entry fee | Tournoi A: €70 (Senior) / €40 (Youth); Tournoi B: €60 (Senior) / €35 (Youth); Tournoi C: €55 (Senior) / €30 (Youth) |
| 💰 Prize fund | €7,000 total cash prizes |
| 👤 Eligibility | Tournoi A: over 1800 FIDE; Tournoi B: 1500–2000 FIDE; Tournoi C: under 1700 FIDE |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | The organizer allows pairing acceleration and permits up to two byes from Round 1 to Round 7; Christian Bleuzen serves as chief arbiter |
🏆 Prize Fund
| Tournament | 1st Prize | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tournoi A | €1,500 | The organizer advertises €7,000 in total cash prizes for the event |
| Tournoi B | €250 | |
| Tournoi C | €150 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Emeraude Echecs runs 9 rounds under the Swiss-System in each tournament section. The event uses a classical time control of 90 minutes for 40 moves, then adds 30 minutes to finish, and applies a 30-second increment from move 1. The organizer may apply pairing acceleration. The organizer allows up to two byes between Round 1 and Round 7.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tournoi A | Over 1800 FIDE | 9-round Swiss; 1st prize €1,500 |
| Tournoi B | 1500–2000 FIDE | 9-round Swiss; 1st prize €250 |
| Tournoi C | Under 1700 FIDE | 9-round Swiss; 1st prize €150 |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|
| July 11, 2026 | Saturday | Tournament play |
| July 12, 2026 | Sunday | Tournament play |
| July 13, 2026 | Monday | Tournament play |
| July 14, 2026 | Tuesday | Tournament play |
| July 15, 2026 | Wednesday | Tournament play |
| July 16, 2026 | Thursday | Tournament play |
| July 17, 2026 | Friday | Tournament play |
📝 Registration
The organizer accepts registrations via HelloAsso and publishes event information on its official website. Choose the correct tournament section based on your FIDE rating range and pay the corresponding entry fee for Senior or Youth. If you need to change tournaments, contact the organizer during July 2026 where the organizer allows section changes. The organizer also publishes a public list of registered players on the regional ChessEvent platform.
👥 Organizer
Emeraude Echecs organizes the Plancoët International Open and runs the festival format with three rating-banded tournaments in a single venue. The club focuses on FIDE-rated classical chess and supports participants with centralized on-site operations, published entry lists, and direct organizer contact.
Phone: +33 2 96 27 98 28
🏨 Venue
Salle Omnisport Joseph Samson, Rue de la Madeleine, 22130 Plancoët, France
The tournament takes place in Plancoët’s municipal sports hall, which serves as the single playing venue for all three tournaments. The hall location on Rue de la Madeleine gives players a clear arrival point in town. The organizer bases event operations and on-site play in this venue throughout the week.
🚗 How to Get There
Plan your trip to Plancoët (22130) in the Côtes-d’Armor department of France, then travel to Rue de la Madeleine for the Salle Omnisport Joseph Samson. Drivers can route directly to the venue address for on-site arrival. Players who use public transport can plan a connection into the Plancoët area and complete the final leg to the sports hall locally.
Make Plancoët your July 2026 chess destination and add a full week of FIDE-rated classical games to your season.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - €7,000
Organizer
Émeraude Échecs is a community chess club based in Plancoët and Dinan, France. It brings together players from beginners to experienced competitors. Over the years, the club has become a recognizable local hub for over-the-board chess.
The club is the tournament organizer of the Plancoët International Open. In addition, it runs a full week of FIDE-rated tournaments in a festival-style format. Moreover, the event typically offers multiple rating groups under one roof, with consistent playing conditions.
Furthermore, Émeraude Échecs supports junior chess through training sessions and local outreach. At the same time, it focuses on fair play and clear event communication. As a result, visiting players can plan confidently and focus on their games.
Address: Place de la Mairie, 22130 Plancoët, France
Email 2: emeraudeechecs@gmail.com
Phone: +33 6 09 82 04 60
Phone 2: +33 7 82 53 47 92
Website: https://emeraudeechecs.eu/