The 11th Corinth Open Tournament 2026 — Groups A, B & C takes place from December 27–30, 2026, in Corinth (Korinthos), Greece. Hosted by Corinth Chess Academy “Argonaytis”, this four-day year-end event brings together experienced tournament players, developing club competitors, and children in three rating-based sections. The published regulations plan seven Swiss-system rounds and a classical clock of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move from move one. The organizer describes the event as internationally FIDE Standard-rated, while maintaining separate group conditions for younger and unrated participants.

The tournament offers a published €1,500 cash prize fund (approximately US$1,670), distributed mainly in the stronger Group A and accompanied by medals, age-category distinctions, and future-entry benefits in the other groups. Group A’s first prize is €500, and the Group B winner receives €100 plus a free entry into the next Open. However, these three groups do not all share one playing room: Group A begins at the Argonaytis Academy, while Groups B and C use the nearby 3rd Primary School of Corinth. Organizers place both locations approximately 50 meters apart, connected by a pedestrian route.

This event provides a relatively compact holiday trip to the Gulf of Corinth, a coastal city accessible from Athens by regional rail, coach, or car. The host club also names three local hotels for players and companions, though it does not advertise a special accommodation package. In addition, the academy has an active youth-training program and organizes regional chess competitions throughout the year. This guide sets out the official clock, round schedule, monetary and noncash awards, registration conditions, two playing venues, hotel options, and arrival information based on the 2026 organizer’s English-language prospectus.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The 11th Corinth Open is planned as a seven-round Swiss competition in each rating group. The published standard control gives each player 90 minutes for the whole game, with an additional 30 seconds after every move from the start. It does not include a separate block of extra minutes at move 40. Players are expected to write down their moves, making the event suited to proper classical tournament practice rather than rapid play.

The organizer reserves the right to reduce Groups B and C by one round or combine them if participation in those sections is too low. This contingency does not make the tournament a single Open by default: competitors initially register into distinct groups, with different admission rules and prizes. The December FIDE rating list determines the rating used to establish section eligibility, subject to the additional provision for players who crossed the Group A threshold earlier in 2026.

Half-Point Byes and Absences

A bye is permitted in one of the first three rounds. If it is taken in Round 1 or Round 2, the organizer awards half a point. The regulations do not explicitly extend that half-point award to Round 3, so players should not assume all permitted byes have the same scoring effect. Requests should be made to tournament management before pairings, particularly when travel plans make it difficult to attend the first morning.

An unexplained absence after pairings have already been published can lead to automatic exclusion from the rest of the competition. The published regulations also require players to follow FIDE and Hellenic Chess Federation rules, including anti-cheating safeguards and controls on electronic devices. Competitors should familiarize themselves with these requirements before the first round and comply with arbiter instructions throughout the event.

🏆 Prize Fund

The organizers advertise €1,500 in cash prizes (approximately US$1,670). This total is confirmed by the actual award schedule: Group A provides €1,400, consisting of €1,100 for its first three overall finishers, €200 for the highest-placed woman, and €100 for the highest-placed Argonaytis club competitor. Group B adds €100 for its winner. Group C’s published awards are medals rather than cash. The approximate USD equivalent is illustrative; all organizer amounts are set in euros.

Prize eligibility is subject to the regulation that each player receives only the single highest-value award for which they qualify. Withdrawn participants forfeit prize entitlement. Moreover, the organizer requires at least three entrants in a category before awarding its age-group medal. Therefore, the cash prize fund should not be confused with the number of medals or with the value of free entry into a future competition.

Group A — €1,400 in Cash Awards

Group B — €100 in Cash Awards

Group C — Medal Awards

The awards give players of different ages a sporting target even where a cash classification is not offered. The Group B free-entry benefit for the next Open is a noncash privilege and has not been assigned an invented monetary value. Similarly, Group C’s medals should remain separate from the €1,500 cash figure. The official English prospectus sets the conditions for participation, medal eligibility and awards.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The tournament begins with three distinct rating groups. Group A is the strongest field and normally welcomes competitors rated above 1700. Group B is designed for players below 1600. However, entrants rated between 1600 and 1700 may choose either of the two higher groups, creating an explicit overlap. Players below 1600 who wish to enter Group A may do so by paying the additional fee described in the regulations.

Group C is reserved for unrated children younger than 10. The organizers place Groups B and C at the 3rd Primary School of Corinth, while Group A starts in the Argonaytis Academy. They may merge smaller groups or reduce their round count when entry numbers warrant such a change. Therefore, parents should pay attention to their child’s group assignment and the final pairing information, not just the overall tournament title.

The eligibility provisions also recognize players who held a Group A-qualifying rating at some point in 2026, even if their December number subsequently moved below the threshold. For a player close to 1600 or 1700, this can change their options. Entrants should identify their rating history and preferred competition clearly when contacting the club, rather than assuming an automatic assignment from the latest player list.

📅 Schedule

The published program has two rounds per day from December 27 through December 29, followed by the final seventh round and awards on December 30. Morning games begin at 10:30 AM on the first three days, with afternoon starts at 5:30 PM. The final round begins at 10:00 AM. All times are local to Corinth, Greece. Check-in and the opening ceremony are held at the Argonaytis Academy, regardless of the group in which a player will subsequently compete.

The schedule leaves several hours between the published starting times, but classical games can vary greatly in duration. Participants playing at the school should leave enough time to return from breaks, since the venue is not the same building as the registration point. In addition, late arrivals should not rely on the short pedestrian distance as a reason to delay reporting on the opening morning.

The organizers publish the awards for 3:00 PM on December 30, immediately after the conclusion of play. Since the final round starts at 10:00 AM, players may wish to keep their late-afternoon travel flexible. The event ends before New Year’s Eve, offering visiting families a four-day chess program that can be combined with additional time in the Peloponnese.

📝 Registration

Entries can be arranged through argonaytis.chess@gmail.com or by contacting Dimitris Alepoudeas at +30 695 547 8184, preferably during the afternoon. The organizer also provides an official tournament announcement and registration link on its club website. When making an entry, players should give their preferred group, rating information, name, and appropriate federation details, then follow any additional instructions sent by the organizer.

The official club registration page closes online entries on December 25, 2026, at 10:59 PM (Greek local time). Participants should register before this cutoff and complete in-person confirmation on December 27. Participation confirmation on December 27 runs from 9:30 to 10:15 AM at Koliatsou 112. Fees are collected before the first round, with discounts available for families, club members, larger club delegations, and players with disabilities.

Group Entry Fees

Family and Delegation Discounts

The organizer encourages families to enter together. Its published tariff gives reduced amounts for two players from the same family, with further concessions for siblings. A third child from the same family may enter free of charge, subject to the stated group rules. For Group C, a sibling’s listed rate is €25. Club members can also receive reduced rates, and delegations registering more than eight players may qualify for a 10% reduction.

The schedule notes that discounts are not generally cumulative. As a result, a player who qualifies for more than one concession should confirm the final payable amount with the organizer before arriving. It is especially important to check any additional Group A fee if a lower-rated player opts into that field, since eligibility and base price are two separate conditions in the prospectus.

Membership, Rating and Participation

Greek competitors are expected to hold an active membership card with the Hellenic Chess Federation, while foreign players must be appropriately registered for international rating purposes. The organizer uses the December FIDE rating list and additional 2026 rating-history provisions when confirming the intended group. Applicants should retain their registration correspondence and bring any necessary identification or federation information to the in-person check-in.

🏛️ Organizer

The event is organized by Corinth Chess Academy “Argonaytis” (S.A.K. Argonaytis), a chess association established in late 2010 to promote organized chess across Corinthia. It operates from Koliatsou 112, in the Corinth Youth Center, where it has offered regular training and chess activity for several years. According to its official website, more than 100 children take part in the academy’s instructional program, alongside activities for adults.

Argonaytis supports chess through junior instruction, school partnerships, team competition, and regular tournaments. Its history includes the Isthmia international events, the Hermes tournament, and multiple Peloponnesian school and youth championships. The club’s profile also describes success in regional team and cup competitions, which helps explain why it can stage a December tournament with several rating groups and substantial junior participation.

The 2026 prospectus identifies Ioannis Papakyriakos as tournament director and Michalis Sigouros as chief arbiter. The tournament’s contact person is Dimitris Alepoudeas, reachable on +30 695 547 8184, while the club’s main email address is argonaytis.chess@gmail.com. The Hellenic Chess Federation’s club directory also confirms the academy’s street address and contact information.

📍 Venue

The main reporting and Group A venue is Corinth Chess Academy “Argonaytis,” Koliatsou 112, 20131 Corinth, Greece, at the end of a pedestrian street. The first 32 boards of Group A are scheduled to be played here. If that section exceeds 64 entrants, the organizer may use additional tables in the nearby school. All players must complete opening-day confirmation at the Academy before going to their assigned playing room.

The Group B and Group C venue is the 3rd Primary School of Corinth, Kyprou 119, 20131 Corinth, Greece. The official Greek school registry confirms that the school operates at that address. The organizer states that the school is roughly 50 meters from the Academy and that a pedestrian route links the two, requiring around two minutes on foot. This proximity makes it practical for coaches and families to move between the tournament areas, but the playing room itself differs by group.

Participants should not enter only the city name into their navigation app. In particular, a Group B parent going directly to Kyprou 119 could miss the required check-in at Koliatsou 112. The official prospectus provides both addresses and the group distribution. A single map marker would not fully represent both buildings, so the page gives the two venue addresses explicitly for accurate navigation.

🏨 Accommodation

The organizer’s regulations recommend Apollon Philoxenia, Efyra Hotel, and Avant Blue Boutique Hotel. Players and their companions remain free to choose other accommodation, and the prospectus does not specify tournament-negotiated room prices. The options below are genuine Corinth properties; availability, breakfast, and cancellation terms for December 27–30 should be checked with each hotel directly.

Apollon Filoxenia

Apollon Filoxenia is located at Damaskinou 2 in Corinth, near the former railway-station area and the port district. The hotel’s official website describes 25 guest rooms, a breakfast buffet, Wi-Fi, 24-hour reception, luggage storage, and a café-bar. Its central location may suit players who want a straightforward urban base and access to restaurants or transport.

The property advertises regular booking services rather than a special 2026 tournament rate. Families should confirm the room’s actual bedding arrangement, breakfast availability during holiday dates, and the local route to Koliatsou 112 or Kyprou 119. Travelers arriving by rail should also distinguish the old station area from the modern suburban railway station outside the old center.

Efyra Hotel

Efyra Hotel is listed by the official cultural portal of the Municipality of Corinth at Ethnikis Antistaseos 52. The same listing gives local contact details for reservations. As a city-center hotel, Efyra offers another starting point for families comparing accommodation with a shorter town-center journey rather than a resort-style stay. The organizer’s prospectus specifically names it as a suggested hotel.

The hotel’s room stock, current opening arrangements, and prices for late December were not stated in the chess regulations. Therefore, guests should contact the property for the exact booking terms before relying on it for a multi-night visit. A local hotel is also a practical choice if a player expects to remain near the city center between afternoon and evening activities.

Avant Blue Boutique Hotel

Avant Blue Boutique Hotel stands beside Kalamia Beach on the Corinthian Gulf. Its official site describes sea-view rooms and suites, breakfast, wellness facilities, a concierge service, and optional transfers. The property may particularly appeal to families who would like a quieter waterfront base while accompanying a participant in the Open.

Since the hotel lies in the beach area rather than at the Academy itself, players should make a realistic transfer plan for the early check-in on December 27 and the 10:00 AM final round on December 30. The property advertises different room categories and services, but the chess organizer does not state a special rate. Check actual winter availability and the hotel’s transport offerings before reserving.

🚆 How to Get There

Corinth lies west of Athens on the Gulf of Corinth, with practical road and rail access from the Greek capital. International competitors will most often arrive through Athens International Airport (ATH), then use the suburban railway, a coach connection, or a rental car to reach Corinth. The club’s two venues are in the center of the modern city, and their precise street addresses should be used for the last stage of the journey.

From Athens International Airport

The Hellenic Train suburban rail network links Athens Airport with Athens and with services toward Kiato, which stop at Corinth. Depending on the current timetable, airport passengers may need to change at an interchange such as Ano Liosia or Athens railway station. Travelers should select Corinth (Korinthos) as the station destination, not Ancient Corinth, which is a distinct historical area.

The airport trip crosses the Athens suburban network before reaching the Corinthian Gulf. Because service schedules can vary around December 26 and 27, verify the exact connection and last departure before buying flights. From the modern Corinth station, use a local taxi or other suitable transport to Koliatsou 112; do not assume the railway platforms are directly beside the chess rooms.

By Rail from Athens or Piraeus

The Piraeus–Athens–Kiato suburban line serves Corinth, giving visitors a connection through the Greek capital and western Attica. Hellenic Train publishes the line’s official timetable, including station calls and any planned changes. A ticket to Corinth brings passengers to the modern suburban station, from which they can continue toward the Academy by local taxi or another arranged connection.

Players planning to arrive on the morning of December 27 must check in at Koliatsou 112 between 9:30 and 10:15 AM. Therefore, anyone relying on a train from Athens should choose a service that arrives with adequate time for the final transfer. Arriving the previous evening may be preferable for a family with young children playing in Groups B or C.

By Coach from Athens

KTEL Korinthias operates coach services between Athens and Corinth, with departures from Athens’ Kifissos intercity bus terminal. The official KTEL Korinthias timetable portal distinguishes Athens services from regional lines and provides agency contact information. The coach network offers an alternative when train connections are inconvenient, although its departure point is not the same as Athens Airport.

After reaching the Corinth coach station, use a taxi or local transfer toward the Academy on Koliatsou 112 or the 3rd Primary School on Kyprou 119. For a trip on a holiday weekend, double-check the timetable rather than rely on an ordinary weekday departure. Families should also confirm whether luggage can be stored securely before going directly to their playing room.

By Car and Local Taxi

Drivers approaching from Athens can follow the A8 / Olympia Odos motorway toward Corinth, then use city streets to reach the playing district. As Koliatsou 112 is at the end of a pedestrian area, a navigation app may route a car only to the nearest accessible street rather than the academy doorway. Travelers should respect pedestrian restrictions and choose a lawful parking location before walking to registration.

The official Corinthia visitor transport guide describes rail, motorway, and KTEL alternatives for the region. The two chess buildings are close together, so a single drop-off near the Academy should normally allow families to reach their assigned school classroom after checking in. However, parking space and local access were not guaranteed in the prospectus and should not be assumed.

ℹ️ Other Information

The official regulations apply the FIDE Fair Play and Anti-Cheating rules and permit organizers to conduct checks for prohibited electronic assistance. Players are advised not to bring electronic devices into the playing venue, because the organizer disclaims responsibility for equipment left outside. Competitors should check the arbiter’s on-site arrangements, especially if a parent or coach needs to remain contactable during a junior tournament.

An appeal against an arbiter decision is handled by a three-member appeals committee, with a published €90 appeal deposit. The deposit is refunded if the appeal succeeds, even in part. This formal procedure emphasizes that the event follows organized competition standards, despite its community-club setting. Additional questions not expressly addressed in the regulations are handled by the tournament director or chief arbiter, according to subject.

The club restricts event photography and video to an authorized photographer and uses permitted images to report on and promote the tournament. Parents entering children should be aware of this consent condition. For the latest entries and pairings, use the Group A Chess-Results record and Group B record; the official 2026 English PDF remains the principal reference for fees, attendance, prizes and venue assignments.