41° Internationaal Open van Geraardsbergen 2026
41st International Open of Geraardsbergen takes place on August 2-6, 2026 in Geraardsbergen, Belgium, offering a compact summer classical event in the heart of the Flemish Ardennes. The tournament runs as a 9-round over-the-board Swiss competition and counts as a FIDE rated international chess tournament, making it a practical option for players who want official rating results in a focused five-day format.
The 41st International Open of Geraardsbergen welcomes a broad field and continues the long-running Open tradition organized by Schaakclub Van Pion Tot Dame in Geraardsbergen, Belgium. Players register in advance, pay by bank transfer, and receive pairings on the tournament website before the first day of play, keeping the start process straightforward for local and visiting participants alike.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | August 2-6, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Geraardsbergen, Belgium |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated |
| 📂 Sections | Open |
| 💳 Entry fee | Seniors: €55; Juniors: €35 (born after January 1, 2006); FM: €35; Previous winners: €30; GM/IM: free |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Registration opens March 1, 2026; organizers accept prepayment only and confirm registration after payment; pairings are published on Sunday, August 2 at 12:00 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The 41st International Open of Geraardsbergen runs a 9-round Swiss tournament and rates results for FIDE. The organizers publish pairings on the tournament website before the first day of play.
📂 Sections / Groups
The 41st International Open of Geraardsbergen runs as a single Open section.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 1, 2026 | Saturday | 20:00 | Registration deadline (online and email) |
| August 2, 2026 | Sunday | 10:00–11:00 | Last-minute on-site registration at the venue (with the arbiter) |
| August 2, 2026 | Sunday | 10:00–11:00 | Phone registration with the FIDE arbiter |
| August 2, 2026 | Sunday | 12:00 | Pairings published on the VPTD website |
| August 2, 2026 | Sunday | 13:30 | Players go directly to the playing hall |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register (online) | Register online via the organizer website until Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 20:00: https://vanpiontotdame.wixsite.com/vptd/inschrijfgeld |
| How to register (email) | Register by email to the organizer until Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 20:00: vptdchess@skynet.be |
| How to register (on-site, Day 1) | Register at the venue with the arbiter on Sunday, August 2 between 10:00 and 11:00 |
| How to register (phone, Day 1) | Register by phone with FIDE arbiter Luc Cornet on Sunday, August 2 between 10:00 and 11:00: +32 474 99 52 74 |
| Payment policy | Organizers accept prepayment only; registration becomes final after payment is received |
| Payment method | Bank transfer to Schaakclub VPTD Geraardsbergen |
| Bank details | IBAN: BE24 9300 0548 7638; BIC: BBRUBEBB |
| Payment reference | Include your name plus “41e Open” |
👥 Organizer
Schaakclub Van Pion Tot Dame Geraardsbergen organizes the 41st International Open of Geraardsbergen as a FIDE rated Swiss tournament in Geraardsbergen, Belgium. The club handles registration through its website and email, confirms entries after bank transfer payment, and publishes pairings online ahead of the first day.
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Address: The Preacher, Markt 9, 9500 Geraardsbergen, Belgium
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Email: vptdchess@skynet.be
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Phone: +32 477 26 36 66
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Phone: +32 55 42 21 38
🏨 Venue
Koninklijk Atheneum Geraardsbergen, Papiermolenstraat 105, 9500 Geraardsbergen, Belgium
The tournament uses the Koninklijk Atheneum in Geraardsbergen, Belgium as the main playing location for the Open and related events. Players reach the venue quickly from the railway station, which supports smooth arrival for visitors.
🚗 How to Get There
Geraardsbergen railway station sits about 300 meters from the playing venue, and the station’s rear exit provides a short walk to the site. If you arrive by car from Ghent or Brussels, you reach the parking entrance on the left shortly after the second set of traffic lights, based on the organizer’s driving guidance.
Join the 41st International Open of Geraardsbergen in Geraardsbergen, Belgium and turn five summer days into a serious, fully rated tournament experience.