Club de Ajedrez Dama Negra

♟️ About Club de Ajedrez Dama Negra

Club de Ajedrez Dama Negra is a chess club and tournament organizer based in Alicante, Valencian Community, Spain. The club participates in the chess structure of the Federación de Ajedrez de la Comunidad Valenciana and concentrates much of its public activity on FIDE-rated tournaments in Alicante and nearby San Vicente del Raspeig. Its program includes classical opens, shorter weekend tournaments, blitz competitions, team chess, and chess instruction. Tournament organization is one of the club’s strongest areas. Dama Negra runs several recurring events during the year, including the Open Internacional de Ajedrez Semana Santa, IRT Internacional Ajedrez en Alicante, Torneo Verano Alicante, Torneo Relámpago Internacional Dama Negra, and the year-end Open Internacional de Ajedrez Dama Negra. Moreover, its competitions cover different formats and rating levels, giving both developing club players and experienced international competitors regular opportunities to play rated chess in Alicante. Patricia Claros Aguilar, an International Organizer, is the club’s principal current organizational contact and regularly serves as Tournament Director. During 2026, she directed several Dama Negra competitions, including the Semana Santa Open, the VI IRT Internacional Ajedrez en Alicante, and the VII Open Internacional de Ajedrez Dama Negra. The club’s next major event is the VII Open Internacional de Ajedrez Dama Negra, scheduled for December 26–30, 2026 in San Vicente del Raspeig.

🏛️ Club Development and Alicante Activity

Club de Ajedrez Dama Negra has developed a substantial tournament program across Alicante and San Vicente del Raspeig. Its events regularly appear in the official calendar of the Federación de Ajedrez de la Comunidad Valenciana and are submitted for the appropriate FIDE rating calculations. A significant development came through cooperation with the Real Liceo Casino de Alicante. In December 2024, the club announced an agreement with the institution that provided a venue for Interclubs matches and supported the creation of a chess school from January 2025. The partnership also opened opportunities for tournaments, lectures, simultaneous exhibitions, and other chess activities. The Real Liceo Casino subsequently became an important venue for Dama Negra events. In 2026, it hosted both the VI IRT Internacional Ajedrez en Alicante and the XIII Torneo Verano Alicante, as well as the club’s international blitz competition.

🌟 Open Internacional de Ajedrez Semana Santa

The Open Internacional de Ajedrez Semana Santa is one of the club’s largest recurring projects. Its 10th edition took place from April 1–6, 2026 in San Vicente del Raspeig. The tournament used a nine-round Swiss system with a classical time control of 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move. Two sections allowed players to compete in an unrestricted Group A or a rating-limited Group B. In addition, the tournament was configured for FIDE rating and title-norm opportunities. Club de Ajedrez Dama Negra organized and directed the event together with Patricia Claros Aguilar. The series is already scheduled to continue with its 11th edition from March 24–29, 2027, confirming the Open as a long-term part of the club’s tournament calendar.

🏆 2026 Tournament Program

The club maintained a particularly active tournament schedule during 2026. From May 29–31, it organized the VI IRT Internacional Ajedrez en Alicante at the Real Liceo Casino de Alicante. The Sub-2400 competition used seven Swiss rounds at 60+30 and counted for FIDE Standard rating. On May 31, the club added the VIII Torneo Relámpago Internacional Dama Negra, a nine-round FIDE-rated blitz tournament played at 3+2. This shorter format complemented the classical weekend event and gave participants an additional competitive opportunity. The XIII Torneo Verano Alicante followed from July 27 to August 2, 2026. Players contested seven FIDE-rated classical rounds at 90+30 in the Real Liceo Casino. Together, these events demonstrate the club’s ability to maintain tournament activity across several parts of the calendar rather than relying on a single annual competition.

🏆 VII Open Internacional de Ajedrez Dama Negra 2026

The VII Open Internacional de Ajedrez Dama Negra is scheduled for December 26–30, 2026 at Villa Universitaria Alicante in San Vicente del Raspeig. The tournament will use a nine-round Swiss system with a classical time control of 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move. Results will count for FIDE Standard rating. The competition is open rather than divided into rating groups, while prizes cover the overall standings and several special categories. Patricia Claros Aguilar serves as Tournament Director, while FA Aaron Bendayan Claros is Chief Arbiter. The tournament continues a series that has now reached seven editions and provides players with a FIDE-rated classical event during the final days of the year.