2026 Okanagan Open runs from May 1-3, 2026 in Salmon Arm, Canada, and it offers a strong classical chess tournament in Salmon Arm, Canada, in 2026. The event takes place at Comfort Inn and uses a 5-round Swiss format with a 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment time control. In addition, the tournament is CFC rated, so it gives Canadian players a solid over-the-board weekend event in British Columbia.
As a practical chess tournament in Salmon Arm, Canada, 2026 Okanagan Open combines a clear three-day schedule, one open section, and a guaranteed cash prize fund. Moreover, the venue sits about a five-hour drive from Vancouver, which makes the event attractive for players from across British Columbia and nearby provinces who want a competitive spring chess weekend.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | May 1-3, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Comfort Inn, 1090 22nd St NE, Salmon Arm, BC, Canada |
| ♟️ Format | Swiss, 5 rounds |
| ⭐ Rating | CFC rated |
| 📂 Sections | 1 open section |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move |
| 💳 Entry fee | CAD 75-90 |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 980 (approx.) |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | If entries exceed 40 players, the event may split into two sections and the prize structure may be adjusted accordingly |
🏆 Prize Fund
| Category | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| General | 1st | $500 |
| General | 2nd | $300 |
| Rating | Top Under 1700 | $300 |
| Rating | Top Under 1400 | $200 |
| Special | Top unrated | $100 |
The guaranteed total cash prize fund is $1,400.
Unrated players are not eligible for the Under 1700 or Under 1400 prizes.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a 5-round Swiss system with a 90+30 classical time control. Because the event runs across three days, players get a balanced weekend structure with two rounds on Friday, two rounds on Saturday, and one final round on Sunday.
📂 Sections / Groups
The event has one open section. However, if the field grows beyond 40 entries, the organizer may split the tournament into two sections and adjust the prize structure.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | 6:00 p.m. | Round 1 |
| May 2, 2026 | Saturday | 10:00 a.m. | Round 2 |
| May 2, 2026 | Saturday | 3:00 p.m. | Round 3 |
| May 3, 2026 | Sunday | 9:00 a.m. | Round 4 |
| May 3, 2026 | Sunday | 2:00 p.m. | Round 5 |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Online registration |
| Entry fee until April 1, 2026 | $75 |
| Entry fee from April 2 to April 29, 2026 at noon | $90 |
| On-site registration | Not available |
| Membership requirement | CFC membership or CFC tournament membership required |
| Membership option | Players can purchase CFC membership during registration or directly from the CFC |
👥 Organizer
Victoria Chess organizes 2026 Okanagan Open and supports this CFC rated weekend event in Salmon Arm. The tournament gives players a practical British Columbia destination, a guaranteed prize fund, and a straightforward competitive format for a spring long weekend.
🏨 Venue
Comfort Inn, 1090 22nd St NE, Salmon Arm, BC, Canada
The tournament takes place at Comfort Inn in Salmon Arm, which serves as both the playing venue and the official accommodation option. As a result, players can stay on site and keep travel simple throughout the weekend. The venue also provides free parking and breakfast.
🛎️ Accommodation
Comfort Inn, 1090 22nd St NE, Salmon Arm, BC, Canada
| Hotel | Details |
|---|---|
| Comfort Inn | $149 per night plus tax |
| Comfort Inn | Free parking and breakfast |
| Comfort Inn | Phone: +12508327711 |
| Comfort Inn | Mention BC Alberta chess tournament |
| Comfort Inn | Special rate deadline: April 20, 2026 |
🚗 How to Get There
The venue is in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, and the official event information describes it as about a five-hour drive from Vancouver. Therefore, players traveling by car from the Lower Mainland can plan a direct regional trip to the venue.
This Salmon Arm chess weekend offers rated games, a guaranteed prize fund, and a practical tournament setup for players who want competitive classical chess in British Columbia.
🧾 Other
All equipment will be provided. In addition, the BC v Alberta match may share the facilities during the event.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $980
Organizer
Salmon Arm Chess Club is a chess club based in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada. It serves as a local chess organizer and has become the main driver of organized over-the-board chess in the Shuswap region. Moreover, British Columbia Chess Federation club listings confirm its regular activity and public club presence in Salmon Arm.
The club runs weekly play, local tournaments, and larger open events that attract players from across British Columbia and beyond. It organizes the linked open chess tournament, the 2026 Okanagan Open in Salmon Arm, which has become an established annual classical chess event on the provincial calendar. In addition, federation coverage ties the event directly to the club and to its leadership team.
Over the years, the club has also helped expand competitive chess in the region through regular meetups, community visibility, and recurring event support. Furthermore, its activity includes rapid chess and club-level tournament play alongside major weekend competitions. As a result, Salmon Arm Chess Club plays an important role as a grassroots tournament organizer in interior British Columbia.
