The 22nd Stockerau Chess Open 2026, May 14-17, 2026, Stockerau, Austria, delivers a compact, high-intensity classical weekend with three rating-based sections and FIDE rating in the top two groups. The event suits ambitious improvers and seasoned tournament players who want serious long games, clear tie-break rules, and a straightforward five-round Swiss format close to Vienna.
You play in a proven tournament venue with strong logistics, easy access from the railway station, and on-site payment before the opening. The organizer awards cash prizes across all three sections, adds separate category prizes, and uses a strict prize policy that rewards performance on tie-breaks instead of splitting prizes.
🗓️ Event Details
| 📅 Dates | May 14-17, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Stockerau, Austria |
| ♟️ Format | 5-round Swiss System (Swiss-Manager) |
| ⭐ Rating | Tournament A & B: FIDE rated (Standard) · Tournament C: Austrian rating |
| 📂 Sections | Tournament A (Open) · Tournament B (U2000) · Tournament C (U1700) |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes for 40 moves + 30 minutes to finish + 30 seconds increment from move 1 |
| 💳 Entry fee | A/B: €40 · C: €35 · U18 (A/B/C): €25 · GM/WGM/IM/WIM: free |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 2,990 (approx.) |
| 👤 Eligibility | A: Open · B: below 2000 Elo · C: below 1700 Elo |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | A/B require a valid FIDE ID. C requires an Austrian P-number or a valid FIDE ID. Default time: 30 minutes. |
🏆 Prize Fund
Tournament-A (cash prizes)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €400 |
| 2nd | €250 |
| 3rd | €150 |
| 4th | €100 |
| 5th | €70 |
| 6th | €50 |
Tournament-B (cash prizes)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €220 |
| 2nd | €150 |
| 3rd | €110 |
| 4th | €80 |
| 5th | €60 |
| 6th | €40 |
Tournament-C (cash prizes)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €150 |
| 2nd | €120 |
| 3rd | €90 |
| 4th | €70 |
| 5th | €50 |
| 6th | €35 |
Category prizes (paid in each tournament A, B, and C)
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| Best woman | €35 |
| Best senior S50 | €35 |
| Best youth U18 | €35 |
Prize conditions: The tournament does not split prizes. The organizer ranks prize winners by the published tie-break order. The event does not allow double prizes; the organizer pays the higher prize and passes any remaining prize to the next eligible player in the same category. The organizer pays prizes only to players present at the award ceremony. The organizer pays category prizes only when at least 3 players compete in the category.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
All sections run as a 5-round Swiss tournament paired with Swiss-Manager. Tournament A and B use the latest FIDE rating list for admission and start ranking, while Tournament C uses the Austrian rating list. The organizer assigns unrated players to a start ranking at the chief arbiter’s discretion.
Each game uses 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes to finish, with a 30-second increment from move 1. The default time is 30 minutes. Players may offer a draw at any time during the game. The event applies FIDE Laws of Chess along with the relevant Austrian federation tournament regulations.
Tie-breaks: Buchholz, median Buchholz, Sonneborn-Berger, then rating performance.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tournament A | Open to all chess players | FIDE rated (Standard) |
| Tournament B | Players below 2000 Elo | FIDE rated (Standard) |
| Tournament C | Players below 1700 Elo | Austrian rating |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 14, 2026 | Thursday | 09:45 | Registration deadline and attendance check |
| May 14, 2026 | Thursday | 10:00 | Round 1 |
| May 14, 2026 | Thursday | 16:30 | Round 2 |
| May 15, 2026 | Friday | 18:30 | Round 3 |
| May 16, 2026 | Saturday | 15:00 | Round 4 |
| May 17, 2026 | Sunday | 10:00 | Round 5 |
| May 17, 2026 | Sunday | Award ceremony (afterwards, not before 15:00) |
📝 Registration
| How to register | Register directly with the organizer by email or phone |
| Contact for registration | Dieter Amberger · dieter.amberger@gmx.at · +43 (0)681 1023 1477 |
| Attendance check | Required by 09:45 on Thursday, May 14, 2026 |
| Payment | Pay on site before the tournament opening |
| Entry fees | A/B: €40 · C: €35 · U18 (A/B/C): €25 · GM/WGM/IM/WIM: free |
| Extra fees (A) | Below 2000: +€10 (U18: no extra) · below 1900: +€20 (U18: +€10) · below 1800: +€30 (U18: +€20) |
| Extra fees (B) | Below 1700: +€10 (U18: no extra) · below 1600: +€20 (U18: +€10) · below 1500: +€30 (U18: +€20) |
| Extra fees (all) | Registration on first day: +€10 · Change of group on first day: +€20 |
| ID requirements | A/B: valid FIDE ID required · C: Austrian P-number or valid FIDE ID required |
👥 Organizer
Schachverein Stockerau organizes the Stockerau Chess Open as a practical, rating-friendly classical event close to Vienna, combining three clearly separated sections with consistent pairing rules, fast on-site logistics, and a strict prize policy that rewards performance on tie-breaks.
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Email: dieter.amberger@gmx.at
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Phone: +43 (0)681 1023 1477
🏨 Venue
Veranstaltungszentrum Z2000 – Bräuhaus, Sparkassaplatz 2, 2000 Stockerau, Austria
The tournament plays in a dedicated event center with barrier-free access via the parking garage lift. The venue sits about a 7-minute walk from Stockerau railway station, which makes arrival simple for players traveling via Vienna and the surrounding region.
🛎️ Accommodation
City Hotel Stockerau, Hauptstraße 49, 2000 Stockerau, Austria
Phone: +43 (0)2266 62930
Email: info@cityhotel-stockerau.at
Website: https://www.cityhotel-stockerau.at
🚗 How to Get There
Arrive by train to Stockerau railway station and walk to the venue in about 7 minutes. If you drive, use the nearby parking areas around the Z2000 and plan for paid parking garage access where available. Stockerau sits close to Vienna, so you can combine the tournament weekend with straightforward regional travel.
End your spring with five serious classical rounds near Vienna and push for both overall prizes and category awards in Stockerau.
🧾 Other
The organizer allows electronic devices in the playing venue only when completely switched off. The event enforces a 30-minute default time. The organizer pays prizes only at the award ceremony and only to players who attend.