The 38th Kiel Open brings a full week of classical over-the-board chess to August 1-7, 2026 in Kiel, Germany, hosted by the Kieler Schachgesellschaft von 1884 e.V. as a long-running summer tradition. The tournament runs a 9-round Swiss System and offers both ELO and DWZ rating, giving ambitious club players and seasoned competitors a serious international chess tournament experience in Kiel, Germany. The event publishes a substantial cash prize list and caps the field at 150 players, which keeps the competition focused and well managed.

Set in Kiel-Friedrichsort near the coast, the 38th Kiel Open combines tournament chess with a relaxed seaside setting and practical on-site catering. The 38th Kiel Open uses a classical time control with increment from move one and applies clear tie-break criteria for final standings. If you want a FIDE rated classical chess tournament in Kiel, Germany with a proven organizer and a structured schedule, the 38th Kiel Open fits perfectly into a summer chess calendar.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

Main cash prizes (EUR)

Best female cash prizes (EUR)

Best senior cash prizes (born 1961 or earlier) (EUR)

Prize rules

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The 38th Kiel Open runs 9 rounds with Swiss System pairings. Each game uses 40 moves in 90 minutes, then 15 minutes to finish the game, with a 30-second increment per move from move 1. The tournament applies a 30-minute default time; a player forfeits the game after 30 minutes.

Final standings follow points first, then Buchholz (n-1), then Sonneborn-Berger (n-1). Both players record moves until the end of the game and submit score sheets after the game to validate results. Pairings for subsequent rounds are generated after the previous round ends and are published online.

📂 Sections / Groups

The 38th Kiel Open is a single open tournament that accepts all players with a FIDE ID, with ratings processed for both ELO and DWZ.

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

👥 Organizer

Kieler Schachgesellschaft von 1884 e.V. organizes the 38th Kiel Open as a long-established summer open in Kiel, Germany, combining a structured classical schedule with a clear registration process and transparent prize categories. The organizer publishes pairings online and runs all rounds at a dedicated club venue with on-site catering in Kiel-Friedrichsort.

• Email: ReneWerner1@yahoo.de

• Phone: +49 173 6176 293

• Website: http://www.kieler-sg.de

• Website: https://www.kieler-sg.de/KielerOpen

🏨 Venue

Sportvereinigung Friedrichsort Clubhaus, Julius-Fürst-Weg 99, Kiel-Friedrichsort, Germany
All rounds take place at the Sportvereinigung Friedrichsort Clubhaus in Kiel-Friedrichsort. On-site catering is available, and bringing your own food or drink to the venue is not permitted.

🛎️ Accommodation

🚗 How to Get There

Public transport connects to the venue via KVG bus lines 12 and 13. Use local transport routes to reach Kiel-Friedrichsort and then continue to Julius-Fürst-Weg 99 for the Sportvereinigung Friedrichsort Clubhaus.

Start your summer days by the water and finish them over the board—make the 38th Kiel Open in Kiel, Germany your week of focused classical chess.

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