10. Internationales Bad Schwartauer Schachopen
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
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | 27–30 December 2025 |
| 📍 Location | Krummlandhalle, Elisabeth-Selbert-Gemeinschaftsschule, Schulstr. 8–10, 23611 Bad Schwartau, Germany |
| ♟️ Format | 7-Round Swiss (“CH-System”) |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 40 moves in 90′, then 30′ to finish, +30″/move from move 1 |
| 💵 Entry Fee | €50 (Adults) • €30 (Youth: born 2005 or later) |
| ⭐ Rating | DWZ & FIDE Elo rated |
| ✅ Eligibility | FIDE-ID mandatory (required for entry) |
| 🔢 Capacity | Max 201 players • Main prizes guaranteed with ≥100 participants |
| 🧾 Tie-breaks (standings) | 1) Buchholz with 1 discard • 2) Sum of scores |
| 🎯 Prize allocation | Hort system used in the event of ties (for money distribution) |
🏆 Prize Fund
| Place | Prize (EUR) | Place | Prize (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | €750 | 5 | €200 |
| 2 | €600 | 6 | €150 |
| 3 | €450 | 7 | €100 |
| 4 | €300 | 8 | €80 |
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
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, 27 Dec | 08:00–09:15 | Check-in / Attendance confirmation |
| 09:45 | Opening & Welcome | |
| 10:00 | Round 1 | |
| 16:00 | Round 2 | |
| Sun, 28 Dec | 10:00 | Round 3 |
| 16:00 | Round 4 | |
| Mon, 29 Dec | 10:00 | Round 5 |
| 16:00 | Round 6 | |
| Tue, 30 Dec | 09:00 | Round 7 |
| 15:00 | Prize-giving | |
| 16:00 | Blitz side event |
📝 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
🚗 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!
Organizer
Schachverein Bad Schwartau is a long-standing chess tournament organizer in Schleswig-Holstein, active across league play, training groups, and open events for all levels. The club maintains a year-round program of FIDE- and DSB-rated open, rapid, and blitz tournaments, supported by junior coaching and welcoming club evenings. With clear sections, reliable schedules, and player-friendly regulations, SV Bad Schwartau gives competitors in northern Germany chess dependable opportunities for rating progress and practical tournament experience.
The club is best known for the Schwartauer Open, a popular end-of-year festival that regularly attracts strong regional fields and visitors from nearby chess hubs. Consistent organization, qualified arbiters, and solid venues have made the event a fixture on the local calendar—helping grow participation and visibility for open chess events in Schleswig-Holstein.