11. Internationales Sparkasse Baden Chess Open 2026 runs from August 25-30, 2026 in Pfaffstätten, Austria. This is a chess tournament in Pfaffstätten, Austria, in 2026. It continues one of the established summer opens near Baden bei Wien and adds an official blitz event on the evening before round one.

The event uses a 7-round Swiss with a classical time control of 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment from move one. Moreover, the tournament splits the field into three groups: the Königs-Turnier, the Turm-Turnier, and the Springer-Turnier.

The organizer caps the combined field at 140 players and publishes a confirmed EUR 3,000 cash prize fund, which is approximately USD 3,482. In addition, the event takes place in the Gemeindezentrum Rathaus Pfaffstätten, a historic local venue in the wine and spa region near Baden bei Wien.

🏁 Event Details

The official regulations confirm the core tournament information below.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

All three sections use the same classical format. Therefore, every player gets enough time for full standard games across the week. At the same time, the organizer uses Swiss-Manager for pairings and applies the published tie-break order of direct encounter, Buchholz (-1,-1), Buchholz, and Sonneborn-Berger.

The section rules are also clear. The Königs-Turnier is for players with international Elo 1850 and above, although players below that mark may still enter it for a EUR 20 surcharge. Meanwhile, the Turm-Turnier is for players with international Elo up to 1849, and the Springer-Turnier is for players with national Elo below 1450. In addition, A and B require a FIDE ID, while the C section requires an ÖSB player number.

The event also allows one bye in any round except the last. Players receive half a point for that bye, but they must request it before pairings are made. For round one, the rules allow a bye only after payment has arrived. Furthermore, players who want a round-six bye must notify the organizer before round five.

💰 Prize Fund

The confirmed cash prize fund totals EUR 3,000, and the organizer also adds additional non-cash prizes. However, the USD amount here reflects only the confirmed cash awards. The rules also state that players must attend the prize ceremony to receive prizes, cash prizes are not split, and each player may receive only one cash prize.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The three-group structure gives the event broad appeal. On one side, stronger players can enter the Königs-Turnier. On the other side, club players and improving competitors can choose the Turm or Springer sections that fit their rating level more closely.

📅 Schedule

The official schedule includes a blitz event on Monday evening and then seven classical rounds from Tuesday to Sunday. Moreover, Saturday is the only double-round day.

📝 Registration

The entry process is straightforward. Players must register by email and transfer the entry fee before the tournament starts. Registration closes on Friday, August 21, 2026. In addition, the organizer allows on-site payment only in exceptional cases, and late registration carries a EUR 20 surcharge.

The blitz tournament on August 24 starts at 6:30 PM with 11 Swiss rounds at 3 minutes plus 2 seconds. It is free for players who pre-register for the main tournament by August 23, while day guests pay €5.

👤 Organizer

Schachklub Sparkasse Baden organizes the event and presents itself as a club founded in 1923. The official club website also describes it as the largest chess club in Lower Austria, while the tournament regulations list Manfred Winkelbauer as club chairman, Peter Stadler as arbiter, and Bernhard Geismann as tournament director.

Email: turnierleitung@schachklub-baden.at

📍 Venue

Gemeindezentrum Rathaus Pfaffstätten, Dr. Josef Dolpstraße 2, 2511 Pfaffstätten, Austria

The tournament takes place in the municipal center in Pfaffstätten, a 16th-century winemaker’s house in the wine and spa region near Baden bei Wien. Moreover, the official regulations describe the playing hall as offering good conditions, while the on-site Rathausstub’n provides drinks, regional wines, and local food.

🚗 How to Get There

Pfaffstätten sits close to Baden bei Wien, so the venue works well for players staying in Baden or in the surrounding region. Because attendance control starts at 5:00 PM on Tuesday and Saturday has a double round, arriving before play begins is the practical choice.

It is a strong option for players who want a classical late-summer open in Austria with three clearly defined sections and a practical regional setting.