The spa town of Bad Schwartau (Germany) wraps up the year with the 10. Internationales Bad Schwartauer Schachopen, a classical open tournament held 27–30 December 2025 in the heart of Ostholstein.
Across four days, players battle through seven thoughtful rounds in a friendly, well-organized setting at the Krummlandhalle — a proven venue for this growing end-of-year festival. Expect clear regulations, fair pairings, and a smooth schedule ideal for both ambitious club players and seasoned competitors.

This anniversary edition features a robust prize fund with extra rating and special prizes announced on site. With DWZ & FIDE Elo submission, strict adherence to FIDE Laws, and convenient winter travel to the Lübeck area, the Bad Schwartau Open is a great way to close your chess year on a high note.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

Rating & special prizes will be announced after the tournament begins (based on entries). Main prizes are guaranteed from 100 participants.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

• Classical: 40 moves in 90′, then 30′ to finish, with +30″/move from move 1.

• System: 7-round Swiss; TWZ = FIDE Elo (if available), otherwise NWZ (DWZ).

• Default time (Wartezeit): 30 minutes after scheduled round start.

• FIDE Laws apply; notation required throughout the entire game.

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

• How to enter: Pay the entry fee by 15 December 2025 (bank details below). Later payments and on-site payment are possible, +€10 surcharge per person.

• Bank transfer:

  • Account holder: Schachverein Bad Schwartau

  • Bank: Sparkasse Holstein

  • IBAN: DE30 2135 2240 0189 5855 32

  • BIC: NOLADE21HOL

  • Reference: Name, First name, Date of birth, Club, Elo/DWZ

• Free entry: GM / IM (no further conditions).

• FIDE-ID: Required for participation (have it ready when registering).

👥 Organizer

Organized by Schachverein Bad Schwartau.

• Email: info@schachinschwartau.de

• Phone: 0175 / 444 8654

• Website: http://www.schwartauer-open.de/

🏨 Venue

Krummlandhalle (Elisabeth-Selbert-Gemeinschaftsschule), Schulstr. 8–10, 23611 Bad Schwartau — a spacious, well-lit school sports hall that has successfully hosted the Open across multiple editions.

🛎️ Accommodation

Find local accommodation via the official regional directories (book early for year-end dates):

• Bad Schwartau: http://www.bad-schwartau.de/Tourismus/Gastgeberverzeichnis

• Stockelsdorf: http://www.stockelsdorf.de/Leben-Wohnen/Stockelsdorf-besuchen/Gastgeberverzeichnis

• Lübeck: http://www.luebeck.de/tourismus/unterkuenfte

🚗 How to Get There

• By train: Travel to Lübeck Hbf, then local bus/taxi to Bad Schwartau (short ride).

• By car: Via A1 (Hamburg–Lübeck) then local roads to 23611 Bad Schwartau; parking available near the school complex.

• By air: Nearest major airport Hamburg (HAM); onward train to Lübeck then local connection.

Other

• Mobile & devices: Carrying or using a mobile phone/electronic device during play is forbidden; violation results in loss of game.

• Game completion: Games must be played without interruption to a finish; notation is mandatory at all times.

• Decisions: Appeals are handled by the arbiter / tournament director or a pre-elected appeals committee; decisions are final.

• Data & privacy: By entering, players consent to use of game data, results and reports for DWZ / FIDE rating processing and publication.

• Past winners: 2014 Andreas Peschel • 2015 GM Vladimir Epishin • 2016 GM Vladimir Epishin • 2017 IM Ihor Nester • 2018 GM Vladimir Epishin • 2019 Taron Khachatryan • 2022 FM Joa Max Bornholdt • 2023 Taron Khachatryan • 2024 Kaloyan Popvasilev.

Ring out the year with seven classical rounds by the Baltic coast — join the 10. Internationales Bad Schwartauer Schachopen (27–30 Dec 2025) and enjoy competitive chess in a welcoming North German setting!