
III José Celso Barbosa International Chess Tournament
The III José Celso Barbosa International Chess Tournament returns as a FIDE rated international chess tournament in Puerto Rico, bringing over-the-board Swiss System competition to July 20–27, 2026 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The event runs across three groups with different round counts, features published cash prizes totaling USD 5,480, and welcomes both local and international players who want serious standard-time chess in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
Hosted at the Jardines de Caparra Community Center in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, the III José Celso Barbosa International Chess Tournament follows FIDE Laws of Chess and applies clear tie-break criteria. The III José Celso Barbosa International Chess Tournament includes a structured registration process with a firm deadline, titled-player fee waivers, and a defined round schedule for each group, making it easy to plan your week around the tournament’s evening and weekend sessions.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | July 20-27, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Bayamon, Puerto Rico |
| ♟️ Format | Swiss System (over-the-board) |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated |
| 📂 Sections | Group A (Open) / Group B (U2000) / Group C (U1600) |
| ⏱️ Time control | Group A: 90 minutes + 30-second increment / Group C: 60 minutes + 30-second increment |
| 💳 Entry fee | Group A: USD 50 / Group B: USD 40 / Group C: USD 30 |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 5,480 |
| 👤 Eligibility | Open international event; valid Puerto Rico Chess Federation (FAPR) membership required |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Group A and Group B players may request a half-point bye in rounds 1 and 2 only; the organizer reserves the right of admission |
| Chess-Results.com | http://www.chess-results.com/fed.aspx?lan=1&fed=PUR |
🏆 Prize Fund
Cash prizes (USD) as published.
| Position | Group A (Open) | Group B (U2000) | Group C (U1600) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Place | 1,500 | 350 | 75 |
| 2nd Place | 1,000 | 200 | 50 |
| 3rd Place | 750 | 150 | 30 |
| 4th Place | 500 | 100 | |
| 5th Place | 300 | 75 | |
| 6th Place | 250 | ||
| 7th Place | 150 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The III José Celso Barbosa International Chess Tournament uses Swiss System pairings across three groups: Group A (Open) plays 9 rounds, Group B (U2000) plays 7 rounds, and Group C (U1600) plays 5 rounds. Group A uses a 90-minute time control with a 30-second increment, and Group C uses a 60-minute time control with a 30-second increment.
Tie-breaks apply in this order: Buchholz Cut 1, Buchholz, Average Rating of Opponents Cut 1, then Direct Encounter.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Group A (Open) | Open | 9 rounds |
| Group B (U2000) | Under 2000 | 7 rounds |
| Group C (U1600) | Under 1600 | 5 rounds |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 20, 2026 | Monday | 7:00 pm | Opening (all groups) |
| July 20, 2026 | Monday | 7:30 pm | Round 1 (Group A) |
| July 21, 2026 | Tuesday | 7:00 pm | Round 2 (Group A) |
| July 22, 2026 | Wednesday | 7:00 pm | Round 3 (Group A) |
| July 22, 2026 | Wednesday | 7:00 pm | Round 1 (Group B) |
| July 23, 2026 | Thursday | 7:00 pm | Round 4 (Group A) |
| July 23, 2026 | Thursday | 7:00 pm | Round 2 (Group B) |
| July 24, 2026 | Friday | 11:00 am | Round 5 (Group A) |
| July 24, 2026 | Friday | 11:00 am | Round 3 (Group B) |
| July 24, 2026 | Friday | 11:00 am | Round 1 (Group C) |
| July 24, 2026 | Friday | 4:00 pm | Round 6 (Group A) |
| July 24, 2026 | Friday | 4:00 pm | Round 4 (Group B) |
| July 24, 2026 | Friday | 4:00 pm | Round 2 (Group C) |
| July 26, 2026 | Sunday | 10:00 am | Round 7 (Group A) |
| July 26, 2026 | Sunday | 10:00 am | Round 5 (Group B) |
| July 26, 2026 | Sunday | 10:00 am | Round 3 (Group C) |
| July 26, 2026 | Sunday | 3:00 pm | Round 8 (Group A) |
| July 26, 2026 | Sunday | 3:00 pm | Round 6 (Group B) |
| July 26, 2026 | Sunday | 3:00 pm | Round 4 (Group C) |
| July 27, 2026 | Monday | 10:00 am | Round 9 (Group A) |
| July 27, 2026 | Monday | 10:00 am | Round 7 (Group B) |
| July 27, 2026 | Monday | 10:00 am | Round 5 (Group C) |
| July 27, 2026 | Monday | 3:00 pm | Closing (all groups) |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | https://www.puertoricochessacademy.org/event-details/iii-torneo-internacional-de-ajedrez-jose-celso-barbosa |
| Registration deadline | July 15, 2026 |
| Entry fee (Group A) | USD 50 |
| Entry fee (Group B) | USD 40 |
| Entry fee (Group C) | USD 30 |
| Titled-player fee waiver | GM, IM, WGM, and WIM do not pay a registration fee |
| Puerto Rico titled-player discount | 30% discount for titled players from Puerto Rico only if they participate in Group A (Open) |
| Discount confirmation deadline | Confirm participation by May 31, 2026 to receive the electronic discount voucher |
| Commitment rule (discount applicants) | Submit a written commitment to play 9 rounds (or 7 rounds if requesting byes for rounds 1 and 2); a USD 20 penalty applies for non-compliance |
| Byes policy | Group A and Group B players may request a half-point bye in rounds 1 and 2 only |
| Contact for questions | +1 (787) 587-3409 / +1 (787) 531-3842 / info@puertoricochessacademy.org |
👥 Organizer
The III José Celso Barbosa International Chess Tournament is organized by the Bayamon Department of Recreation and Sports and the Puerto Rico Chess Academy, with endorsement by the Puerto Rico Chess Federation. The organizer team coordinates registration, player communications, and tournament operations for all groups in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
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Email: fj_007@yahoo.com
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Email: cristobalpr@gmail.com
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Phone: +1 (787) 587-3409
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Phone: +1 (787) 531-3842
🏨 Venue
Jardines de Caparra Community Center, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
The playing hall hosts the full tournament schedule for all groups during the III José Celso Barbosa International Chess Tournament week in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The venue serves as the central location for opening, rounds, and the closing ceremony.
🚗 How to Get There
The tournament takes place in Bayamon, Puerto Rico at the Jardines de Caparra Community Center. Use the official venue name and city to plan your local travel in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
Play for published cash prizes, build your performance across Swiss rounds, and finish strong in Bayamon, Puerto Rico at the III José Celso Barbosa International Chess Tournament 2026.
🧾 Other
Appeals: A player may appeal the Chief Arbiter’s decision to an Appeals Committee selected during the Technical Meeting. Filing an appeal requires a USD 50 cash deposit, refunded only if the ruling favors the claimant. Submit appeals in writing with relevant evidence no later than 30 minutes after the end of the appealed round, and the Appeals Committee must decide before the next round starts.
Information, results, and pairings: Basic event information appears at https://www.puertoricochessacademy.org/calendario and https://www.lafapr.org/eventos. Results and pairings appear at http://www.chess-results.com/fed.aspx?lan=1&fed=PUR.