Discover high-level classical chess in central Finland at the XXXIV Heart of Finland Open, staged on July 13-19, 2026 in Jyväskylä, Finland. The tournament runs a 9-round Swiss system with FIDE-rated classical time control and national rating calculation, and it attracts a competitive international field with opportunities for title norms. The organizer sets a strong incentive with a minimum cash prize fund and a guaranteed top prize condition when participation reaches the stated threshold.

You play in a focused, single-section open event where every round counts, and you can combine serious preparation with a summer week in Jyväskylä. The venue hosts both play and official accommodation offers, which makes logistics straightforward for travelers. The schedule includes a blitz side event during the week, so you can add faster chess without distracting from the main classical standings.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

The organizer will publish the final prize distribution before the start of Round 3.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament uses a 9-round Swiss system and runs classical time control: 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment per move from the start. The event calculates both FIDE (Standard) and Finnish national ratings, and it allows players to pursue FIDE title norms when the field and conditions support them.

You may take one half-point bye during rounds 1–3. You must inform the organizing committee about the bye before the pairings for that round are published. The organizer applies a 30-minute default time for each round.

📂 Sections / Groups

The event runs as a single open section in classical chess. The schedule also includes a separate blitz tournament during the week.

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

👥 Organizer

Jyväs-Shakki ry, a long-standing chess club in Jyväskylä founded in 1946, organizes the Heart of Finland Open and coordinates both tournament operations and player communications for the week. The organizing team manages participation confirmation, bye requests, and on-site event logistics to keep the tournament running smoothly across all nine rounds.

• Email: 6qssam@gmail.com

• Phone: +358405123864

🏨 Venue

Jyväskylä Christian Institute, Sulkulantie 28, 40520 Jyväskylä, Finland
The tournament plays at an educational institute campus that also offers on-site lodging options for visiting players. The venue sits close to Jyväskylä’s city area and supports week-long stays with apartment-style accommodation options. More venue information: https://jko.fi/

🛎️ Accommodation

The organizer offers official accommodation at the playing venue through Jyväskylä Christian Institute, with apartment-style units that include a mini kitchen and a private bathroom. The offer includes free parking and free Wi-Fi, and it prices options both per night and for the full tournament week. All prices include bed linen, towels, and VAT, and the venue does not include cleaning during the stay.

Book via email: kokouspalvelut@jko.fi
Book by phone: +358 14 334 8000
Reference title for booking: “Jyväs-Shakki, summer 2026”
The venue can also arrange an extra Sunday–Monday night.

🚗 How to Get There

You can travel from Helsinki (Airport) to Jyväskylä by train in about 3.5 hours. Check rail options and planning here: https://www.vr.fi/en?from=LEN&to=JY. After you arrive in Jyväskylä, go to the playing venue at Sulkulantie 28.

Bring your best classical form to Jyväskylä and fight for every point in a demanding nine-round summer open.

🧾 Other

Players cannot bring electronic devices into the playing area, and they must hand devices to the organizers before entering. The organizer may conduct randomized fair-play checks before rounds start. Players registered under the Russian or Belarusian chess federation cannot participate due to the stated policy, and minors are exempt from that restriction.