The 12th Locarno Weekend Open 2027 takes place on April 9–11, 2027, at Hotel Arcadia Locarno on the shores of Lake Maggiore in Switzerland. Organized by SWISS CHESS TOUR, the event brings five rounds of classical chess to a lakeside hotel close to Locarno’s railway station and historic center.

All players compete in one open Swiss-system tournament, with 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move. Moreover, the organizer offers separate Elo-category awards within the same field. The competition counts for FIDE Standard ratings, and the organizer also lists German DWZ evaluation.

The announced cash fund totals CHF 2,150 (approximately $2,630) when at least 30 players enter. However, the venue accommodates a maximum of 40 participants, so early registration is advisable. Friday’s opening round starts at 8:00 PM, followed by two games on both Saturday and Sunday.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The Locarno Open consists of one five-round Swiss competition. Each player receives 90 minutes for the game and a 30-second Fischer increment from the first move. Therefore, a player does not receive a separate extra time period after move 40.

The event counts toward FIDE Standard ratings; moreover, the organizer advertises DWZ evaluation. The chief arbiter applies a 60-minute default time. Consequently, players arriving after that period may lose their games, even if they had planned to play.

Participants can request one half-point bye during Rounds 1–3, but the organizer needs the request at least 12 hours before the tournament starts. Since the first round begins Friday at 8:00 PM, players should submit requests by 8:00 AM on Apr 9 and obtain confirmation.

🏆 Prize Fund

The organizer advertises CHF 2,150 in cash prizes, approximately $2,630 using the European Central Bank’s November 6, 2026 reference rates. The four overall awards total CHF 1,150. In addition, four Elo bands each provide CHF 150 for first place and CHF 100 for second place, adding CHF 1,000.

The complete prize schedule applies when at least 30 players participate. Below that threshold, the organizer reduces the amounts proportionally. Furthermore, a rating category must contain at least three eligible entrants to award first place and five to award second place.

The Elo bands are prize classifications within one Open, not separate playing sections. Therefore, every participant joins the same Swiss field, regardless of rating. Cash awards remain denominated in Swiss francs.

📅 Schedule

The tournament starts Friday evening and continues with two rounds on Saturday and Sunday. All times are local to Locarno (CEST, UTC+2). The schedule uses short dates to keep both columns readable on phones.

Friday’s presence check runs from 7:00 to 7:50 PM, before the 8:00 PM opening game. Meanwhile, Sunday Round 5 starts at 2:00 PM. As classical games can last several hours, players should allow time for both the final game and the prize ceremony before traveling.

📝 Registration

Swiss Chess Tour accepts entries through its official registration form listed in Event Details. When registering, select the Locarno Swiss Lake Open, Apr 9–11, 2027. Then provide the requested FIDE, club and contact details so the organizer can place the entry in the correct event.

The organizer offers a 20% discount to eligible FSTI members. However, the 2027 notice does not clarify whether this reduction combines with other concessions. Therefore, participants should verify their final fee before paying. For questions, use the tournament contact in Event Details.

🏛️ Organizer

SWISS CHESS TOUR organizes rated chess tournaments across Switzerland, including city and hotel events. Claudio Boschetti represents the organization. For the Locarno edition, IA Jean Dominique Coqueraut serves as tournament director, while IA Tiziana Balzarini is chief arbiter.

The organization also maintains historical results from its events. For more information, see the existing SWISS CHESS TOUR organizer profile on MyChess.Events.

📍 Venue

Games take place at Hotel Arcadia Locarno (formerly H4 Hotel Arcadia) on Lungolago Giuseppe Motta, 6601 Locarno, Ticino, Switzerland. The four-star hotel stands on Lake Maggiore’s promenade. Moreover, its rooms, restaurant, pool and meeting facilities allow players to combine tournament play with a short lakeside stay.

The stored map position is 46.1679557, 8.8013506, a mapped hotel-building location rather than a general Locarno city-center pin. The property is also listed under the name Hotel Arcadia Locarno, a Trademark Collection by Wyndham; these refer to the same venue.

Nearby Restaurants and Cafés

Players can find meals at the hotel and along the waterfront. In addition, the town center has cafés and pizzerias, although service hours may change for the April 2027 weekend.

🏨 Accommodation

The playing hotel offers the simplest arrangement, particularly after Friday’s late first round. However, travelers can also compare central Locarno hotels near the railway station and Lake Maggiore.

The 2027 tournament invitation lists CHF 180 for a Comfort single room and CHF 200 for a Comfort double room at the playing hotel. These rates include breakfast, internet and VAT; a CHF 6.20 city tax per person per night is additional. Nevertheless, travelers should confirm package availability and final cancellation terms directly.

An extra night through Monday can make the return journey easier after Sunday’s prize presentation. Meanwhile, guests at other hotels should verify their route to the waterfront before the 9:00 AM rounds.

🚆 How to Get There

Locarno lies beside Lake Maggiore in southern Switzerland. As a result, players can arrive by train, local transport or car and continue toward the lakefront hotel.

For current train schedules, see SBB Swiss Federal Railways. In addition, visitors at participating hotels may qualify for the Ticino Ticket, which provides regional transport benefits. Check the current offer and its eligibility with your hotel before making plans.

ℹ️ Other Information

The Locarno Weekend Open is one FIDE Standard-rated Swiss tournament, with separate prize categories for four rating bands. Moreover, the organizer offers a limited 40-player field and may adjust prizes if fewer than 30 competitors enter.

Lake Maggiore, the old town and Piazza Grande are close to the playing hotel. However, the Saturday and Sunday schedule includes two classical games per day, so participants should plan leisure activities around the tournament rounds.