14th LUC Open (Lille Université Club Echiquier du Nord)
The 14th LUC Open (Lille Université Club Echiquier du Nord) runs April 11-15, 2026 in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France, and offers five days of serious classical chess in one of the most active chess regions in northern France. This international open suits ambitious club players and titled competitors who want a compact schedule, reliable organization, and nine FIDE-rated rounds played in a focused tournament setting near Lille.
The event uses a Swiss-style pairing workflow over 9 rounds with a steady classical rhythm and clear daily start times. Players can manage their week with a controlled bye policy in the early rounds, while the tournament keeps the competition moving with two rounds per day through Tuesday and a final morning round on Wednesday.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | April 11-15, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round tournament |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE-rated (Standard) |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes + 30-second increment per move |
| 💳 Entry fee | Seniors: €50 (€60 from April 9, 2026) · Youth: €20 (€30 from April 9, 2026) |
| 📂 Sections | Open |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | GM/IM entries are free if you notify the organizers at least 48 hours before Round 1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament plays 9 rounds with classical time control: 90 minutes per player plus a 30-second increment per move. The event uses a Haley pairing method and runs two rounds per day from Saturday through Tuesday, then finishes with a final round on Wednesday morning.
The tournament allows one bye between Rounds 1–5. If you want a Round 1 bye, you must pay your entry fee no later than April 10 at 20:00.
📂 Sections / Groups
The tournament runs as a single open group.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 11, 2026 | Saturday | 10:00 | Round 1 |
| April 11, 2026 | Saturday | 15:00 | Round 2 |
| April 12, 2026 | Sunday | 10:00 | Round 3 |
| April 12, 2026 | Sunday | 15:00 | Round 4 |
| April 13, 2026 | Monday | 10:00 | Round 5 |
| April 13, 2026 | Monday | 15:00 | Round 6 |
| April 14, 2026 | Tuesday | 10:00 | Round 7 |
| April 14, 2026 | Tuesday | 15:00 | Round 8 |
| April 15, 2026 | Wednesday | 10:00 | Round 9 |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | https://www.helloasso.com/associations/luc-echiquier-du-nord/evenements/luc-open-2026-1 |
| Entry fee (Seniors) | €50 (€60 from April 9, 2026) |
| Entry fee (Youth U8–U20) | €20 (€30 from April 9, 2026) |
| Free entry (titles) | GM/IM entries are free if you notify the organizers at least 48 hours before Round 1 |
| Bye requests | One bye available in Rounds 1–5 |
| Round 1 bye condition | You must pay your entry fee no later than April 10 at 20:00 |
👥 Organizer
Lille Université Club Echiquier du Nord organizes the LUC Open in Villeneuve-d’Ascq and delivers a concentrated five-day classical event designed for players who value clear scheduling, steady round pacing, and competitive FIDE-rated games from the first morning round to the final day.
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Email: bureau@lucedn.fr
🏨 Venue
Halle Vallin, Avenue Paul Langevin, 59650 Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France
The tournament plays in Halle Vallin, a dedicated indoor hall that supports a full multi-day classical schedule with consistent round start times and a single-site playing experience.
🚗 How to Get There
Travel to the Lille metropolitan area, then continue to Villeneuve-d’Ascq by local transport or taxi. If you arrive by train, you can route through Lille’s main stations and plan a short onward transfer to Avenue Paul Langevin.
Play nine classical rounds in Villeneuve-d’Ascq and use this compact five-day schedule to build momentum, sharpen form, and finish strong in the final morning round.