Open NK Schaken 2026 delivers a full week of competitive, rating-processed chess from July 21-29, 2026 in Dieren, Netherlands, bringing together the flagship Dutch Open and several rating-based reserve groups under one festival roof. The program suits ambitious club players, titled competitors, and improving juniors who want long classical sessions and consistent playing conditions. You will find multiple parallel sections with clear rating targets, plus popular side events that add a faster, social competitive layer to the week. The Dutch Open features a strong cash-prize podium and a dedicated Women’s prize, while several additional sections award score-based cash prizes.

The festival runs at Sporthal Theothorne and keeps a clear, day-by-day rhythm that helps players plan rest, analysis, and travel. Most classical rounds run in afternoon sessions, with the final day starting earlier. The reserve groups provide structured competition around defined rating bands, and the six-round option offers a shorter classical alternative inside the same week. Players can also add a late-week four-player round-robin and an evening blitz tournament for a different competitive pace.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

Dutch Open (cash prizes)

All amounts include 21% tax.

Women’s prize (Dutch Open)

Reserve Group A (score-based payouts)

Prize money depends on the number of points achieved.

Reserve Group B (score-based payouts)

Prize money depends on the number of points achieved.

Reserve Group C (score-based payouts)

Prize money depends on the number of points achieved.

Zesrondig 1 (score-based payouts)

Prize money depends on the number of points achieved.

Vierkampen

Blitz Tournament

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The classical sections (Dutch Open, Reserve Groups A–C, Zesrondig 1, and Vierkampen) use the same long time control: 40 moves in 90 minutes, then 30 minutes added, with a 30-second increment from move 1. These classical events process results for FIDE rating and Dutch (KNSB) rating as specified for each section.

The Blitz Tournament uses 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment from move 1 and processes results for the Dutch blitz rating. The blitz format runs two preliminary rounds in groups of four, followed by final groups, with on-site re-confirmation required before pairing.

📂 Sections / Groups

📅 Schedule

Dutch Open and Reserve Groups A–C (Rounds 1–9)

Zesrondig 1 (Rounds 1–6)

Vierkampen (Rounds 1–3)

Blitz Tournament

📝 Registration

Register through the official online entry form on the Open NK Schaken website. The organizer processes entries only after payment, and it publishes participant lists on the tournament site ahead of the event.

👥 Organizer

The Royal Dutch Chess Federation (KNSB) runs Open NK Schaken as a structured, multi-section festival that supports both elite competition and strong club-level participation. The team centralizes entries through the official website, requires payment to validate registration, and manages in-hall re-confirmation to keep pairings and group allocations reliable. The organizer publishes participant lists in advance and uses clearly defined eligibility bands so players can choose the section that best matches their rating and goals.

• Email: kstolk@schaakbond.nl

• Phone (Koos Stolk): 06-30594662

• Phone (Peter Boel): 06-44775816

• Website: https://onk.schaken.nl/

🏨 Venue

Sporthal Theothorne, Ericaplein 1A, 6951 CP Dieren, Netherlands
Sporthal Theothorne hosts the festival’s main playing hall and supports multiple parallel sections during the week. The venue keeps a consistent round schedule with afternoon classical sessions and earlier starts on the final day. Players re-confirm participation in the hall before play to secure their place in the relevant section or group.

🚗 How to Get There

Travel to Dieren, Netherlands, and continue locally to Sporthal Theothorne in the town center area. You can reach Dieren by train and complete the final connection locally, or drive in and follow local road signage to Ericaplein.

Bring your best classical focus and finish the week in Dieren with games that count, opponents that match your level, and a festival atmosphere that rewards preparation.