♟️ About the Organizer

ASKÖ Finkenstein is a chess club based in Stobitzen, within the municipality of Finkenstein am Faaker See, Austria. The club belongs to the ASKÖ sports network in Carinthia, where chess appears as its registered sport. Josef Gallob serves as the club chair.

The club was founded in 1956 by Josef Gallob senior. Since then, ASKÖ Finkenstein has supported organized chess in the Finkenstein and Faaker See area. Its activities include club chess, tournament participation, youth development, and the organization of rated over-the-board events.

ASKÖ Finkenstein works with local institutions and the wider Carinthian chess community. Its main public chess activity centers on the annual Faaker See Open. The club publishes tournament announcements, registration details, schedules, results, photographs, and practical information through the event’s official website.

🏆 Chess Events and Activities

ASKÖ Finkenstein organizes the Faaker See Open, a recurring international chess tournament in Latschach am Faaker See. The 42nd edition takes place from August 8 to 15, 2026, at Kulturhaus Latschach. Marko Gallob serves as tournament director and chief organizer.

The 2026 tournament uses a 9-round Swiss-system format. Each player receives 90 minutes for the first 40 moves and another 30 minutes for the rest of the game. A 30-second increment applies from move one. The organizer submits the event for international Elo, Austrian national rating, and German DWZ calculation.

The tournament includes overall prizes and separate awards for women, senior players, juniors, and several rating categories. The official program schedules most rounds during the evening, with two rounds on the second tournament day. This format gives participants daytime flexibility during their stay in the Faaker See region.

ASKÖ Finkenstein has also worked with the Carinthian Chess Federation on championship events. For example, the 2023 Faaker See Open included the Carinthian individual championships for women and the open category.

🌍 Youth Chess and Local Community

ASKÖ Finkenstein has supported youth chess through club training and school-based activities. The club introduced chess programs at primary schools in Finkenstein, Fürnitz, and Latschach. It also provided additional club training for children who wanted to prepare for tournaments.

The club’s activities connect local chess development with international tournament play. Young players can gain experience through training and club activity, while the Faaker See Open gives them access to a full classical tournament with official rating calculation.

The Municipality of Finkenstein supports the Faaker See Open by providing Kulturhaus Latschach as the playing venue. This cooperation allows ASKÖ Finkenstein to host its main tournament within the local community while welcoming players from Austria and other countries.