16th Gütersloh Sparkassen Cup 2026
The 16th Gütersloh Sparkassen Cup 2026 takes place on August 21–23, 2026 in Gütersloh, Germany, delivering a structured weekend of competitive over-the-board chess across several Swiss-System sections. This international chess tournament features 5 rounds in the main groups and a dedicated Kids Tournament with 7 rounds, combining FIDE rated classical chess in the top sections with a DWZ-focused pathway for developing players in Gütersloh, Germany.
Hosted at Anne-Frank-Gesamtschule in Gütersloh, Germany, the 16th Gütersloh Sparkassen Cup 2026 offers a confirmed cash prize fund of EUR 6,000 with additional category prizes and a clear tournament schedule from Friday evening through Sunday. The 16th Gütersloh Sparkassen Cup 2026 keeps the format practical for weekend travel, while maintaining serious sporting conditions, including a published waiting time and mandatory award ceremony rules for prize eligibility.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | August 21–23, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Gütersloh, Germany |
| ♟️ Format | Over-the-board Swiss System |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated (Groups A and B); DWZ rated (Group C and Kids Tournament) |
| 📂 Sections | A-Group, B-Group, C-Group, Kids Tournament |
| ⏱️ Time control | Groups A/B/C: 90 minutes for 40 moves + 15 minutes, with 30 seconds increment per move from move 1; Kids: 60 minutes for 30 moves + 30 minutes |
| 💳 Entry fee | Adults: A €45 / B €40 / C €35; Youth: A €35 / B €30 / C €25; Kids: €15 |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 6,500 (approx.) |
| 👤 Eligibility | A-Group: Elo 1800+ (FIDE ID required); B-Group: Elo under 2000 (FIDE ID required); C-Group: DWZ under 1600; Kids: DWZ under 1300 and born 2014 or later |
| 👥 Capacity | Groups A–C: max 200 participants; Kids Tournament: max 40 participants |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Group assignment deadline: August 14, 2026; players without a rating are classified by tournament management; award ceremony attendance is mandatory for prize eligibility |
| Chess-Results.com | https://chess-results.com/tnr1335824.aspx?lan=1 |
🏆 Prize Fund
Total confirmed cash prize fund (EUR): 6,000
Main prizes (EUR)
| Place | A-Group | B-Group | C-Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 900 | 500 | 275 |
| 2nd | 500 | 300 | 175 |
| 3rd | 350 | 220 | 150 |
| 4th | 250 | 175 | 125 |
| 5th | 200 | 125 | 100 |
Kids Tournament prizes
| Place / Award | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st–3rd | Trophy |
| Additional awards | Non-cash prizes for all participants |
Category prizes (EUR)
| Category (minimum 3 eligible participants per group) | A-Group | B-Group | C-Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating I | 200 (under 2150) | 125 (under 1850) | 100 (under 1450) |
| Rating II | 150 (under 2000) | 95 (under 1700) | 75 (under 1200) |
| Seniors (born 1966 or earlier) | 150 | 95 | 75 |
| Youth (born 2009 or later) | 125 | 95 | 75 |
| Ladies | 125 | 95 | 75 |
Prize rules
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| No double prizes | A player can receive only one prize |
| Sharing rule (A-Group) | Places 1–5 in A-Group are shared using the Hort system |
| Tie-break rule (B/C) | B-Group and C-Group prizes are decided by tie-break |
| Presence requirement | Attendance at the award ceremony is mandatory to receive prizes |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The 16th Gütersloh Sparkassen Cup 2026 runs as a Swiss System tournament with 5 rounds in Groups A, B, and C, and 7 rounds in the Kids Tournament. Groups A, B, and C use 90 minutes for 40 moves plus 15 minutes, with a 30-second increment per move from move 1. The Kids Tournament uses 60 minutes for 30 moves plus 30 minutes.
The tournament applies a 30-minute waiting time. The organizer classifies unrated players as needed, and the event follows the published group eligibility rules for entries and prizes.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A-Group | Elo 1800+ | FIDE rated; FIDE ID required; A-Group main prizes (places 1–5) use the Hort system |
| B-Group | Elo under 2000 | FIDE rated; FIDE ID required; prizes decided by tie-break |
| C-Group | DWZ under 1600 | DWZ rated; prizes decided by tie-break |
| Kids Tournament | DWZ under 1300; born 2014 or later | DWZ rated; 7 rounds |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 21, 2026 | Friday | 17:00 | Registration deadline (all participants) |
| August 21, 2026 | Friday | 17:30 | Round 1 (Groups A/B/C) |
| August 21, 2026 | Friday | 17:30 | Round 1 (Kids Tournament) |
| August 22, 2026 | Saturday | 10:00 | Round 2 (Groups A/B/C) |
| August 22, 2026 | Saturday | 10:00 | Round 2 (Kids Tournament) |
| August 22, 2026 | Saturday | 13:30 | Round 3 (Kids Tournament) |
| August 22, 2026 | Saturday | 16:00 | Round 3 (Groups A/B/C) |
| August 22, 2026 | Saturday | 17:00 | Round 4 (Kids Tournament) |
| August 23, 2026 | Sunday | 09:00 | Round 4 (Groups A/B/C) |
| August 23, 2026 | Sunday | 09:00 | Round 5 (Kids Tournament) |
| August 23, 2026 | Sunday | 12:30 | Round 6 (Kids Tournament) |
| August 23, 2026 | Sunday | 15:00 | Round 5 (Groups A/B/C) |
| August 23, 2026 | Sunday | 16:00 | Round 7 (Kids Tournament) and Kids award ceremony |
| August 23, 2026 | Sunday | 20:30 | Award ceremony (Groups A/B/C) |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Online registration via the organizer form |
| Registration link | https://4c0accdf.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAE4nYsIpn1h49vK5jL_CU_ukXAcSk1jRopu8x9IY53_JXLhAed56xSrC9tBnq6l8tbBPJ3Zu9EYK-7HcKM4zdNEh8XYxRUtFqVPaR9lJ1icFsLljs4gzsU1MCkp3jKRJbP_y_kfjzCqvK-Lnhsha54BH_JknZpMFk-RvtVb36d__cszl9owz8b5sB0qKWKHEnwhk_flRyebr |
| Registration deadline | August 21, 2026, 17:00 |
| Group assignment deadline | August 14, 2026 |
| Entry fees | Adults: A €45 / B €40 / C €35; Youth: A €35 / B €30 / C €25; Kids: €15 |
| Payment method | Bank transfer |
| Bank account (IBAN) | DE95 4785 0065 0000 0033 69 |
| Capacity rules | Groups A–C: max 200 participants; Kids Tournament: max 40 participants |
| Confirmation / check-in rules | Registration deadline applies to all participants (August 21, 2026, 17:00) |
| Prize eligibility rule | Attendance at the award ceremony is mandatory for prize eligibility |
👥 Organizer
Gütersloher Schachverein von 1923 e. V. organizes the 16th Gütersloh Sparkassen Cup 2026 in Gütersloh, Germany, delivering a weekend Swiss-System format with FIDE rated sections at the top and clear youth pathways through the C-Group and Kids Tournament. The organizer manages registration online, confirms entries through payment, and awards prizes during the official ceremonies listed in the schedule.
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Email: spielleiter@gtsv23.de
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Website: https://gtsv23.de/
🏨 Venue
Anne-Frank-Gesamtschule, Saligmannsweg 40, 33330 Gütersloh, Germany
The tournament takes place at Anne-Frank-Gesamtschule in Gütersloh, Germany, which hosts all rounds and the award ceremonies according to the official timetable.
🚗 How to Get There
Use the venue address (Anne-Frank-Gesamtschule, Saligmannsweg 40, 33330 Gütersloh, Germany) to plan your route and arrive with enough time for your round start. The tournament applies a 30-minute waiting time, and registration closes on Friday at 17:00.
Bring your focus for five classical rounds and make the 16th Gütersloh Sparkassen Cup 2026 in Gütersloh, Germany your strongest tournament weekend of the summer.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $6,500