10th International Bodensee Open brings a full classical chess week to Bregenz, Austria, from May 9 to May 17, 2026. The tournament takes place at Grand Hotel Bregenz – MGallery Collection, close to Lake Constance and Bregenz railway station.

The event celebrates its 10th edition with a 9-round International Open. In addition, the organizers run a separate 7-round event for older players from May 10 to May 16, 2026. Both events use the same classical time control and count for FIDE and national rating lists.

Bregenz offers a strong tournament setting for players from Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and other countries around Lake Constance. Moreover, the daily schedule leaves time for local culture, lake walks, the Pfänder mountain, and the club’s evening chess activities.

🏁 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Both events use the same classical time control: 40 moves in 90 minutes, then 30 minutes to finish, with 30 seconds increment from move 1. Therefore, players get a full standard chess format throughout the festival.

The International Open uses 9 rounds with accelerated Swiss pairings. Meanwhile, the older-player event uses 7 rounds and starts each day in the morning. As a result, players can choose the schedule that fits their category and travel plans.

The tournaments count for FIDE rating and national rating lists. In addition, the organizer handles rating submission for Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. Players may also use the bye-draw option under FIDE rules until Round 5.

💰 Prize Fund

The confirmed cash prize fund totals €5,700, approx. USD 6,670. The organizer also applies the Hort system for tied places up to and including 6th place in the International Open.

International Open Prizes

Older-Player Event Prizes

♟️ Sections / Groups

The older-player event runs in parallel with the main Open. It uses the same time control and rating system, but it has an earlier daily starting time.

📅 Schedule

International Open

Older-Player Event

📝 Registration

Players should register before May 8, 2026. In addition, they should contact the organizer early if they need late entry approval or have questions about the correct section.

👤 Organizer

Schachklub Bregenz 1920 organizes the Bodensee Open as a traditional international chess festival in Bregenz. The club combines a serious classical tournament format with a lakeside location, clear daily schedules, and practical conditions for visiting players.

Phone: +43 664 4562062
Email: albert.baumberger@gmx.at

📍 Venue

Grand Hotel Bregenz – MGallery Collection, Platz der Wiener Symphoniker 2, 6900 Bregenz, Austria

The tournament venue sits near Lake Constance, the Bregenz Festival area, and Bregenz railway station. In addition, the hotel offers a central base for players who want the playing hall, accommodation, lakefront walks, and local transport close together.

🛏️ Accommodation

The tournament hotel offers special rates with breakfast for participants.

The organizer also recommends nearby hotels and booking support through Bregenz Tourism.

🚗 How to Get There

Bregenz has strong rail connections from Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and the Lake Constance region. Therefore, players can reach the city by train and walk from Bregenz railway station to the hotel in only a few minutes.

Players arriving by air can travel through Zurich, Munich, Memmingen, or Friedrichshafen and continue by train to Bregenz. In addition, the organizer encourages public transport because the venue sits close to the bus and railway station.

ℹ️ Other

A blitz tournament is planned for May 14, 2026, at 12:00. However, it can only take place in suitable weather because the organizer plans it for the hotel garden. Players should check short-term updates during the event.

Schachklub Bregenz also lists its club room at Gerberstraße 4–6, 6900 Bregenz. During the Bodensee Open, the club room is open daily from 18:30, which gives players an additional place for analysis and chess activities.

Results, games, and participant data may be submitted for FIDE and national rating purposes. In addition, tournament-related personal data, photos, and videos may appear online or in event media under the published data-protection rules.

10th International Bodensee Open offers a serious classical chess week in Bregenz, with FIDE-rated games, clear prizes, a parallel event for older players, and a practical lakeside venue.