12th Çeşme International Open Chess Tournament
12th Çeşme International Open Chess Tournament will take place from June 29 – July 5, 2026, in Çeşme, Türkiye. This is a chess tournament in Çeşme, Türkiye, in 2026.
Moreover, the event brings classical chess to one of the most popular destinations on Türkiye’s Aegean coast. Players can expect 9 competitive rounds, four rating-based categories, and a strong summer chess atmosphere.
In addition, the festival offers more than the main open tournament. Players can also enjoy a rapid event before the open and a blitz tournament during the same chess week.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| ♟️ Tournament | 12th Çeşme International Open Chess Tournament |
| 📅 Dates | June 29 – July 5, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Çeşme, Türkiye |
| 🏛️ Playing halls | Çeşme Ayios Haralambos Cultural Centre; Sıdıka Kelami Ertan Secondary School Sports Hall |
| 🧑💼 Organizers | Çeşme Municipality and Turkish Chess Federation |
| 🏆 Format | 9-round Swiss System |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move 1 |
| 💰 Prize Fund | ₺1,100,000, approx. $24,250 |
| 🔗 Chess-Results | https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1384769.aspx?lan=1&flag=30&turdet=YES&SNode=S0 |
| 🧮 Rating Calculation | Categories A, B, and C: FIDE Elo and national rating; Category D: national rating |
| 📝 Application Deadline | June 25, 2026, at 21:00 |
| 💳 Entry Fee | ₺650; ₺250 for players residing in Çeşme |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Playing Format
Players receive 90 minutes for the game, plus a 30-second increment from move 1. Therefore, the event gives enough time for serious calculation and full classical play.
Categories A, B, and C use the Swiss System with 9 rounds. In addition, the first three rounds in these Elo categories use the Baku Accelerated System.
Category D also uses the Swiss System with 9 rounds. However, this group counts only for national rating.
Meanwhile, Categories A, B, and C count for both FIDE Elo and national rating. As a result, most international players can combine competitive games with rating opportunities.
Pairing and Tie-Break Rules
Swiss-Manager handles the pairings. Also, the starting list uses each player’s highest available rating, either national rating or FIDE Elo.
The tie-break order is direct encounter, Buchholz-1, Sonneborn-Berger, average opponents’ Buchholz, number of wins, and drawing of lots. Therefore, players should follow every round carefully because several tie-break layers may affect final prizes.
💰 Prize Fund
Prize Fund Overview
The total confirmed prize fund is ₺1,100,000, approx. $24,250. Therefore, the tournament offers a strong prize pool for a summer chess event in the region.
Organizers award prizes according to final ranking. However, they do not share prizes between tied players.
The top three players in each category receive trophies. In addition, prize winners receive medals.
Sports clubs can also compete for recognition. For this reason, the top three clubs in each category receive trophies based on the average score of their top three club players.
| Category | Total Prize Fund |
|---|---|
| Category A | ₺668,000 |
| Category B | ₺226,000 |
| Category C | ₺121,000 |
| Category D | ₺85,000 |
Category A and B Ranking Prizes
| Category | Open Ranking Prizes |
|---|---|
| Category A | 1st ₺200,000; 2nd ₺150,000; 3rd ₺100,000; 4th ₺50,000; 5th ₺30,000; 6th ₺25,000; 7th ₺20,000; 8th ₺17,000; 9th ₺15,000; 10th ₺13,000 |
| Category B | 1st ₺50,000; 2nd ₺40,000; 3rd ₺25,000; 4th ₺20,000; 5th ₺15,000; 6th ₺10,000; 7th ₺9,000; 8th ₺8,000; 9th ₺7,000; 10th ₺6,000 |
Category C and D Ranking Prizes
| Category | Open Ranking Prizes |
|---|---|
| Category C | 1st ₺25,000; 2nd ₺20,000; 3rd ₺15,000; 4th ₺10,000; 5th ₺7,000; 6th ₺6,000; 7th ₺5,000; 8th ₺4,000; 9th ₺3,000; 10th ₺2,000 |
| Category D | 1st ₺15,000; 2nd ₺12,500; 3rd ₺10,000; 4th ₺7,000; 5th ₺6,000; 6th ₺5,000; 7th ₺4,000; 8th ₺3,000; 9th ₺2,500; 10th ₺2,000 |
Special Prizes for Category A and B
| Special Prize Category | Category A | Category B |
|---|---|---|
| Players aged 50 or older | ₺6,000 / ₺4,000 / ₺2,000 | ₺4,000 / ₺3,000 / ₺2,000 |
| Best scores in the last 5 rounds outside the top 10 | ₺6,000 / ₺4,000 / ₺2,000 | ₺4,000 / ₺3,000 / ₺2,000 |
| Player living in Çeşme | ₺6,000 / ₺4,000 / ₺2,000 | ₺4,000 / ₺3,000 / ₺2,000 |
| Woman player | ₺6,000 / ₺4,000 / ₺2,000 | ₺4,000 / ₺3,000 / ₺2,000 |
Special Prizes for Category C and D
| Special Prize Category | Category C | Category D |
|---|---|---|
| Players aged 50 or older | ₺3,000 / ₺2,000 / ₺1,000 | ₺2,000 / ₺1,500 / ₺1,000 |
| Best scores in the last 5 rounds outside the top 10 | ₺3,000 / ₺2,000 / ₺1,000 | ₺2,000 / ₺1,500 / ₺1,000 |
| Player living in Çeşme | ₺3,000 / ₺2,000 / ₺1,000 | ₺2,000 / ₺1,500 / ₺1,000 |
| Woman player | ₺3,000 / ₺2,000 / ₺1,000 | ₺2,000 / ₺1,500 / ₺1,000 |
🏆 Sections / Groups
Rating Categories
| Category | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Category A | Players with FIDE Elo 2000 or higher; players with national rating 2000 or higher and no FIDE Elo |
| Category B | Players with FIDE Elo 1700–1999; players with national rating 1700–1999 and no FIDE Elo |
| Category C | Players with FIDE Elo 1400–1699; players with national rating 1400–1699 and no FIDE Elo; foreign players without FIDE Elo |
| Category D | Turkish players with national rating 1399 or lower; players without a national rating |
Category Notes
Categories A, B, and C suit players who want FIDE-rated classical games. Meanwhile, Category D gives lower-rated and unrated Turkish players a separate national-rating section.
In addition, the category structure helps players compete against opponents with a similar rating level. Therefore, the event can serve both experienced tournament players and developing competitors.
📅 Schedule
Registration and Opening Day
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| June 25, 2026 | 21:00 | Application deadline |
| June 29, 2026 | 08:30 | Registration verification starts |
| June 29, 2026 | 15:00 | Registration verification ends |
| June 29, 2026 | 15:30 | Player list announcement |
| June 29, 2026 | 15:45 | Deadline for appeals to the player list |
| June 29, 2026 | 16:00 | Technical meeting |
| June 29, 2026 | 16:30 | Pairings announcement |
| June 29, 2026 | 16:45 | Opening ceremony |
| June 29, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 1 |
Main Tournament Rounds
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 2 |
| June 30, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 3 |
| July 1, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 4 |
| July 2, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 5 |
| July 2, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 6 |
| July 3, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 7 |
| July 4, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 8 |
| July 5, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 9 |
Side Event and Closing Ceremony
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| July 3, 2026 | 16:00 | Blitz Tournament |
| July 5, 2026 | 16:00 | Closing ceremony |
📝 Registration
Registration Requirements
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | June 25, 2026, at 21:00 |
| Registration method | Online registration through the tournament website |
| Foreign players | Apply by email |
| General entry fee | ₺650 |
| Çeşme resident entry fee | ₺250 |
| Free entry | GM, IM, WGM, WIM, FM, and WFM titled players |
| Payment method | Credit card through the online payment page |
| Turkish players | Valid 2025–2026 Turkish Chess Federation license required |
| Age eligibility | Players born in 2019 or earlier |
| Registration verification | June 29, 2026, from 08:30 to 15:00 |
| Refund rule | Entry fees are not refunded to players who do not participate |
Registration Notes
Players must complete registration verification within the scheduled time. Therefore, arriving early on June 29 is strongly recommended.
Players who arrive after verification ends may still join the first-round pairing list at the end, according to pairing rules. However, players who arrive after Round 1 starts can only join before Round 2.
After Round 2 pairings appear, the organizers accept no new players. For this reason, late arrivals should contact the organization as early as possible.
🧑💼 Organizer
Çeşme Municipality and the Turkish Chess Federation organize the tournament together in İzmir Province. As a result, the event combines local support with national chess federation experience.
Moreover, the tournament continues the Çeşme Open tradition and brings international classical chess to the Aegean coast. In addition, the schedule gives players enough time to combine competition with a summer stay in Çeşme.
Email: mehmet_sarisac@hotmail.com
Phone: +90 505 263 04 31
📍 Venue
Playing Halls
Çeşme Ayios Haralambos Cultural Centre – Çeşme, İzmir, Türkiye
Sıdıka Kelami Ertan Secondary School Sports Hall – Çeşme, İzmir, Türkiye
Venue Notes
The tournament uses two playing halls in central Çeşme. Therefore, players should check their assigned hall during registration verification and before each round.
Moreover, both venues support the festival structure by keeping the event close to the town center. As a result, players can manage travel, meals, and rest between rounds more easily.
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels Close to the Main Venues
The tournament lists several accommodation suggestions near the playing halls. Therefore, players can compare prices, walking distances, and room types before booking.
| Hotel | Two-Person Room | Three-Person Room | Distance to Cultural Centre | Distance to School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levander Otel | ₺3,300 per night | ₺4,300 per night | 80 m | 500 m |
| Rıdvan Otel | ₺3,500 per night | Not listed | 210 m | 750 m |
| Cesurlar Otel | ₺3,400 per night | ₺4,500 per night | 320 m | 220 m |
| Kervansaray Antique Hotel | ₺6,900 per night | ₺8,900 per night | 350 m | 800 m |
| Ayhan Otel | ₺3,500 per night | ₺4,500 per night | 400 m | 260 m |
| Pırlanta Butik Otel | ₺4,000 per night | ₺5,000 per night | 450 m | 160 m |
| Mıstık Otel | ₺3,500 per night | ₺4,500 per night | 450 m | 220 m |
| Sakız Otel | ₺3,500 per night | ₺4,500 per night | 500 m | 250 m |
| Kerman Otel | ₺3,750 per night | ₺5,000 per night | 500 m | 850 m |
Hotels Within About 1 Kilometer
| Hotel | Two-Person Room | Three-Person Room | Distance to Cultural Centre | Distance to School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saatli Otel | ₺3,750 per night | ₺5,000 per night | 600 m | 250 m |
| Çeşme Sahil Otel | ₺3,500 per night | Not listed | 600 m | 1.1 km |
| Arya Otel | ₺2,750 per night | Not listed | 650 m | 700 m |
| Pasifik Otel | ₺3,750 per night | ₺5,000 per night | 750 m | 1.2 km |
| Sirius Mi Otel | ₺3,750 per night | ₺4,500 per night | 750 m | 300 m |
| Fora Apart Otel | ₺3,000 per night | ₺4,000 per night | 850 m | 300 m |
| Koz Marigold Otel Çeşme | ₺2,950 per night | ₺3,900 per night | 850 m | 850 m |
| Çiçek Apart | ₺2,500 per night | ₺3,750 per night | 1 km | 550 m |
| Parla Apart Otel | ₺3,500 per night | ₺4,500 per night | 1 km | 1 km |
Additional Hotel Options
| Hotel | Two-Person Room | Three-Person Room | Distance to Cultural Centre | Distance to School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Çalış Otel | ₺3,900 per night | ₺5,300 per night | 1.1 km | 700 m |
| Boyalık Beach Otel | ₺17,000 per night | ₺22,950 per night | 2 km | 1.7 km |
| Arinnanda Otel | ₺4,000 per night | ₺4,800 per night | 4 km | 3.7 km |
| Çeşme Şirin Villa Otel | ₺5,000 per night | Not listed | 6.1 km | 5.8 km |
Accommodation Notes
Some hotels offer extra room types, apartments, kitchen facilities, balconies, half-board options, or no-breakfast stays. Therefore, players should contact hotels directly for meal plans and exact room availability.
GM, IM, WGM, and WIM titled players may request free accommodation. However, the tournament director evaluates these requests separately.
✈️ How to Get There
Çeşme is in İzmir Province on Türkiye’s Aegean coast. Therefore, most international visitors can travel through İzmir and continue to Çeşme by road.
Players can use taxi, private transfer, rental car, or bus connections from İzmir. Since registration verification closes at 15:00 on June 29, players should plan their arrival with enough buffer time.
In addition, players staying near the venues can reduce local travel during the tournament week. Therefore, nearby accommodation may be especially practical for double-round days.
ℹ️ Other Information
Tournament Rules
The default time is 30 minutes. Also, players may offer draws without a move-number restriction.
Appeals must reach the chief arbiter in writing within 15 minutes after the current round ends. In addition, the appeal deposit is ₺1,250.
Side Events
Before the main open, an International Rapid Chess Tournament takes place on June 27–28, 2026. In addition, the Blitz Tournament takes place on July 3, 2026.
Players who leave the tournament, lose by forfeit in the last round, or skip the closing ceremony may lose prize rights unless the tournament director decides otherwise.
Finally, Çeşme offers players a strong mix of classical chess, seaside travel, and competitive summer tournament atmosphere.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $24,250
Organizer
National role
Turkish Chess Federation is the national chess authority in Turkey. It operates under the name Türkiye Satranç Federasyonu and is based in Çankaya, Ankara. The federation was founded in 1954 and joined FIDE in 1962. It manages licensing, championships, official communication, and the national chess structure. It also works through a broad network of provincial and district representatives. This nationwide reach gives the federation a direct role in both elite chess and everyday club activity. In recent years, the federation has remained one of the most visible sports bodies in the country. Since October 2024, Fethi Apaydın has served as president.
Competitions and event structure
Turkish Chess Federation runs the country’s main competition system. Its calendar includes the Turkish Chess Super League, First League, Second League, Clubs Championship, and national rapid, blitz, youth, junior, and senior events. This structure gives players a clear path from local competition to national level. It also keeps clubs active across the country. The federation supports both individual and team chess, and it covers many age groups in one system. Large events also show its national scale. The 2026 youth championship cycle in Antalya brought together players from all 81 provinces and drew 2,884 participants. That kind of reach helps the federation stay central to organized chess in Turkey.
Education and national growth
Education and chess promotion remain a major part of the federation’s work. Turkish Chess Federation states that it has reached more than 1.4 million licensed players and works through 81 provinces and more than 500 districts. It also runs projects that bring chess to schools and adult learners. The Türkiye Satranç Öğreniyor program offers online training for adults who want to learn the game. In addition, the federation has published a large series of training videos for players, teachers, and beginners. These efforts support long-term growth, not just tournament results. They also help the federation connect grassroots education with national competition. As a result, the Turkish Chess Federation stands out as one of the most active chess institutions in the region.
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