The 50th International Chess Open “Vila de Sitges” brings classical, FIDE rated over-the-board chess to July 22-30, 2026 in Sitges, Spain, continuing one of the best-known summer opens on the Catalan chess circuit. The tournament runs as a 9-round Swiss System event with three rating-based groups, a maximum capacity of 265 players, and a published total cash prize fund of €10,000.

Hosted at the historic Casino Prado venue in Sitges, Spain, the 50th International Chess Open “Vila de Sitges” combines a serious competitive setting with practical logistics for international visitors, including a central location close to the Sitges Renfe station. The 50th International Chess Open “Vila de Sitges” also applies clear pairing, late-arrival, and tie-break rules, and it publishes pairings and results online throughout the event.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

Prize rules (as published):

• Prizes are not cumulative across overall standings, groups, sections, age categories, and women’s category; the highest prize prevails.

• Cash prizes are not shared among players tied on points.

• Cash prizes of €1,000 or more are paid by bank transfer; all other cash prizes are paid in cash.

• A passport or national ID (DNI/NIE) is required to collect prizes.

• Spanish tax withholding applies to monetary prizes under Spanish legislation: Spanish players 15%, EU/EEA players 19%, non-EU (not residing in the EEA) 24%.

• For players under 18, legal representatives collect prizes.

• Monetary prizes remain valid for 3 months.

• Presence at the awards ceremony is mandatory to collect prizes.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The 50th International Chess Open “Vila de Sitges” uses a 9-round Swiss System format with a time control of 90 minutes per player plus a 30-second increment per move from move 1. The organizer assigns groups using the FIDE rating list of July 1, 2026, and does not grant invitations to play in a higher group than a player’s rating allows.

The tournament generates pairings with Swiss-Manager and publishes pairings daily online. The organizer publishes Round 1 pairings no later than 10:00 am on the day of Round 1. Players must start their games on time; the maximum waiting time is 1 hour from the scheduled start time. A player who misses a round without a justified reason is excluded from the tournament. Up to two byes are allowed, and each bye scores 0 points.

Tie-breaks apply for standings, trophies, and cash prizes, and the organizer draws the tie-break order after the last round. The published tie-break list includes: recursive performance, performance, and average opponent rating excluding the two lowest-rated opponents.

📂 Sections / Groups

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

👥 Organizer

The 50th International Chess Open “Vila de Sitges” is organized by the chess section of Casino Prado in Sitges, Spain, led by tournament director Antoni Ferret Soler with international arbitration oversight. The organizer publishes pairings and results online and manages registration through the official tournament website.

• Email: chessopensitges@casinoprado.cat

• Website: https://chesspradositges.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chesspradositges

🏨 Venue

Teatre Casino Prado, Carrer Francesc Gumà 6-14, 08870 Sitges (Barcelona), Spain
The playing hall sits about 100 meters from the Sitges Renfe station in central Sitges, Spain. The venue supports accessibility needs and provides air conditioning, plus an adjacent analysis area.

🛎️ Accommodation

🚗 How to Get There

The venue is in central Sitges, Spain, about 100 meters from the Sitges Renfe train station. Train travel to Sitges and a short walk from the station provide a direct way to reach Teatre Casino Prado.

Make your summer chess count in Sitges, Spain, and test your consistency across nine classical rounds at the 50th International Chess Open “Vila de Sitges”.

🧾 Other

• No smoking is allowed in the playing hall.

• Players may not carry mobile phones or electronic devices on their person inside the playing area; devices may remain switched off inside bags or backpacks. The organizer recommends using the free cloakroom service.

• The organizer may cancel the tournament due to force majeure and refunds the entry fee in that case.

• An appeals/competition committee includes the tournament director and selected players; appeals must be submitted in writing within the published limits during the round in progress, and committee decisions are final.