The 44th Wilhelm-Werner Memorial Tournament (WWGT) runs May 14-17, 2026 in Bad Salzdetfurth, Germany, as the first stop of the NSV Grandprix 2026 and a reliable spring target for ambitious tournament players. You get a focused, well-paced classical weekend with seven Swiss rounds, clear section boundaries, and full rating evaluation for both FIDE Elo and DWZ. The organizer keeps both groups capped at 50 players, which helps preserve strong pairing quality and consistent round timing.

WWGT splits into two open sections to match your playing level: A-Open targets stronger players with a DWZ minimum, while B-Open welcomes a broader competitive field with a DWZ maximum. The event guarantees cash prizes in both sections once each open reaches the minimum participation threshold and adds women, senior, youth, and rating prizes when enough players enter each category. If you want serious long games, practical time trouble decisions, and a tournament that finishes cleanly by Sunday, WWGT fits perfectly.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

Guaranteed cash prizes apply when each open reaches at least 25 participants. The organizer also awards additional women, senior, youth, and rating prizes when at least 5 players enter each prize group. The tournament excludes double prizes and pays the higher amount only. Players without Elo and DWZ (as of May 1, 2026) do not qualify for rating prizes. The organizer hands prizes out in person at the award ceremony only.

A-Open (guaranteed cash prizes)

B-Open (guaranteed cash prizes)

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

WWGT uses a 7-round Swiss System and applies the FIDE Laws of Chess. Both sections receive DWZ and FIDE Elo evaluation. Each game uses 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes to finish, with a 30-second increment from move 1. The event applies a 30-minute default time.

Final standings use this tie-break order: points, Buchholz (one cut), opponents’ average rating (one cut).

📂 Sections / Groups

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

👥 Organizer

Schachclub Bad Salzdetfurth hosts WWGT in honor of its long-time chairman and runs the tournament as part of the NSV Grandprix series, combining a strict classical structure with clear entry rules, capped sections, and a prize policy that rewards both top placements and well-defined categories.

• Email: wwgt@schachclub-badsalzdetfurth.de

• Website: https://www.schachclub-badsalzdetfurth.de

• Website: http://www.nsv-grandprix.de/anmeldung

🏨 Venue

IGS Bad Salzdetfurth, Birkenweg 38, 31162 Bad Salzdetfurth, Germany
The tournament plays at the IGS Bad Salzdetfurth (a comprehensive school campus) with on-site sales of drinks and small snacks. Players may also bring their own food and beverages.

🚗 How to Get There

Plan your route to Bad Salzdetfurth and navigate directly to the venue address above. Arrive early on Thursday morning to complete check-in before the 09:00 registration cutoff.

If you want seven serious classical rounds in a clean weekend schedule, WWGT gives you a strong competitive stage and a clear path to climb the standings.

🧾 Other

The organizer may refuse entry without giving reasons and may exclude players immediately if serious rule violations occur or if behavior creates justified suspicion of a major breach. By participating, you consent to photos and video recordings and their publication in connection with the event.