The 15th Salento International Chess Open 2026 brings a full week of classical chess to May 23-June 1, 2026 in Gallipoli, Italy, with multiple Swiss events hosted at the Ecoresort Le Sirenè inside the Torre del Pizzo nature reserve. The 2026 program features the Master Open, Main Open, and Seniors Open over nine rounds, followed by a Youth Open, creating an international chess tournament setting built for ambitious competitors and a strong playing rhythm.

Across the 15th Salento International Chess Open 2026, the organizers run separate groups for rating bands and age categories, apply FSI/FIDE event conditions with a required FIDE ID, and publish a clear schedule with check-in, double-round days, and award ceremonies. The total cash prize fund reaches EUR 10,000 across the three main tournaments, while the Youth Open awards cups and medals, keeping the focus on competitive classical chess and well-structured pairings in Gallipoli, Italy.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

Master Open (total EUR 4,000)

Main Open (total EUR 3,000)

Seniors Open (total EUR 3,000)

Prize amounts show gross values and organizers pay prizes net after deductions required by current legislation.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The 15th Salento International Chess Open 2026 uses the Swiss/Dutch pairing system across all sections. Master Open, Main Open, and Seniors Open run 9 rounds, with two double rounds in the Master and Main events and three double rounds in the Seniors event. The Youth Open runs 8 rounds with one double round.

Master Open, Main Open, and Seniors Open use 90 minutes for 40 moves + 20 minutes, with a 30-second increment from the first move. The Youth Open uses 60 minutes for 30 moves + 15 minutes, with a 30-second increment from the first move.

The published tie-break order is REP, Buchholz Cut 1, then Buchholz Total.

📂 Sections / Groups

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

👥 Organizer

Chess Projects ASD (Arcoworldchess) organizes the 15th Salento International Chess Open 2026 in Gallipoli, Italy, coordinating the playing schedule, registrations, and on-site tournament operations at Ecoresort Le Sirenè for the full classical chess week.

• Email: info@chesspro.it

• Phone: +39 3496519747

• Website: https://www.chesspro.it

• Tournament website: https://www.salentochessopen.it/15

• Tournament website (English): https://www.salentochessopen.eng

🏨 Venue

Ecoresort Le Sirenè – Strada Costiera Gallipoli/S.M. di Leuca km 4,5, Riserva Naturale Torre del Pizzo, 73014 Gallipoli (Lecce), Italy

The venue sits on the Strada Costiera at km 4.5 inside the Torre del Pizzo nature reserve in Gallipoli, Italy. The 15th Salento International Chess Open 2026 hosts its main tournament groups on site, with published check-in times and award ceremonies closing each event.

🛎️ Accommodation

Ecoresort Le Sirenè (Caroli Hotels) – Strada Costiera Gallipoli/S.M. di Leuca km 4,5, Riserva Naturale Torre del Pizzo, 73014 Gallipoli, Italy
Offer validity period: May 22–June 1, 2026 (rates per occupant)

Booking / contacts: https://www.carolihotels.it | centroprenotazioni@carolihotels.it | +39 0833202536

Grand Hotel Costa Brada – Litoranea Sud km 3, 73014 Gallipoli, Italy
Offer validity period: May 17–May 30, 2026 (rates per occupant)

Booking / contacts: https://www.grandhotelcostabrada.it | info@grandhotelcostabrada.it | +39 0833202551

Special conditions for tourists (valid for Ecoresort Le Sirenè and Joli Park Hotel): 20% discount for the third occupant in a triple room; children ages 4–12: 20% discount; children ages 0–3: free; extra meals or meals in addition to half board: EUR 25.

🚗 How to Get There

Hotels coordinate private shuttle transfers that can be booked daily. Book transfers at least 72 hours in advance by contacting the booking office or your hotel reception desk.

From Brindisi Airport (rates apply only to Caroli Hotels during May 21–June 1, per trip per person)
Single: EUR 140; 2–3 people: EUR 60; 4–5 people: EUR 40; 6–7 people: EUR 30

From Lecce Station (rates apply only to Caroli Hotels during May 21–June 1, per trip per person)
Single: EUR 70; 2–3 people: EUR 30; 4–5 people: EUR 20; 6–7 people: EUR 15

Play classical chess by the sea in Gallipoli, Italy, and make the 15th Salento International Chess Open 2026 the highlight tournament of your spring calendar.

🧾 Other

• FIDE ID required under FSI/FIDE event conditions; Italian players and foreign players residing in Italy must hold Italian Chess Federation (FSI) membership.

• The Italian Chess Federation appoints the referee.

• A player forfeits the game after arriving 60 minutes late from the scheduled start time.

• Dress code applies; vests, undershirts, and flip-flops are not allowed.

• Electronic devices are not allowed in the playing area; the venue reception can store devices only for players not staying at the hotel, using a form and ID check on collection.

• Half-point bye policy: one half-point bye is available for one game in the first 7 rounds of the Master and Main events and in the first 6 rounds of the Seniors event; send requests by email to the organizer before the event and register the request in the playing hall; a Round 1 bye requires advance website registration and paid entry fee.

• The organizers may grant up to 5 wild cards for entry into the Master tournament.

• The organizer may adjust the schedule and rounds where appropriate to improve tournament operations, with notice at the start of the event or on the official website.