♟️ About Dijon Echiquier des Ducs

Dijon Echiquier des Ducs (DED) is a chess club based in Dijon, France. It is affiliated with the Fédération Française des Échecs (FFE) under club code E21001. The club combines competitive team chess, individual tournament play, chess instruction, and regular club sessions. Moreover, the FFE recognizes Dijon Echiquier des Ducs with the federal Club Formateur training label.

The club dates its history to 1929 and celebrated its 90th anniversary in December 2019. Therefore, it has maintained an organized chess presence in Dijon across several generations. The current association operates from Dijon and uses the Salle municipale des Marmuzots as its regular playing venue. Its current registered address is at 44 rue Chevreul.

Pascal Da Silva currently serves as President of Dijon Echiquier des Ducs. Meanwhile, Michel Lefevre is the club’s current FFE-listed contact and handles communication for the 17th Open de Dijon. This represents an important update from older regional club directories, which still contain previous leadership and contact information.

♜ Team Chess and Competitive Activity

Dijon Echiquier des Ducs participates in the French interclub system. The FFE currently places its principal adult team in Nationale 4, while its youth team competes in the regional division. Consequently, the club provides competitive opportunities for both experienced players and developing juniors.

The current federation record lists 28 Licence A members and 15 Licence B members. Licence A players can take part in rated competitive chess, while the broader membership structure also supports recreational and club-level participation.

Regular club activity takes place throughout the week. The club opens on Friday evenings from 20:30 until midnight and on Saturdays from 14:00 to 19:00. In addition, Sunday activity takes place when competitions or demand require it.

The club’s regular venue at the Salle municipale des Marmuzots also hosts official chess activity. Therefore, Dijon Echiquier des Ducs combines league competition with a stable local base for practice, training, and tournament play.

🎓 Chess School and Youth Development

Chess education forms an established part of the club’s program. Dijon Echiquier des Ducs operates a chess school on Saturday afternoons, with structured instruction beginning at 14:00. Meanwhile, adult players can use the club for free play during the Saturday session.

The FFE’s Club Formateur designation further reflects this emphasis on training. In addition, the club fields a youth team in regional interclub competition. Young members can therefore progress from lessons and club practice into official team and individual events.

The club also supports youth chess activity in Côte-d’Or. For example, its Marmuzots venue has hosted stages of the departmental Rapide 21 Jeunes circuit. This gives younger players regular opportunities to experience tournament chess close to their normal training environment.

As a result, the club connects chess instruction with practical competition. Players can learn through weekly sessions, join the federation structure, and then represent Dijon Echiquier des Ducs in individual or team events.

🏆 Open de Dijon

The Open de Dijon is the club’s principal recurring tournament series. Dijon Echiquier des Ducs has organized the competition across numerous editions, including the 15th Open in 2024, the 16th Open in 2025, and the upcoming 17th edition in 2026.

The event uses separate sections to create suitable competitive groups. Moreover, the tournament has retained a compact weekend format, allowing players to complete several FIDE-rated classical games over two days.

For 2026, Dijon Echiquier des Ducs organizes the 17ème Open de Dijon on October 17–18. The tournament takes place at Salle des Fêtes Camille Claudel, rue Camille Claudel, Dijon.

Tournoi A is open to players rated above 1700 and below 2400. Players compete over five rounds using a Swiss pairing system. The time control is 60 minutes plus 30 seconds per move, and results count for FIDE rating.

The FFE lists €600 in prizes for Tournoi A, including €200 for first place. In addition, the organizers offer category prizes for women, veterans, and young players. Mickael Boileau serves as arbiter, while Michel Lefevre is the published tournament contact.

Online registration for the 2026 edition runs through the club’s official HelloAsso account. Therefore, the Open remains directly administered by Dijon Echiquier des Ducs rather than by the tournament venue, the City of Dijon, or another local chess organization.

🏛️ A Long-Standing Dijon Chess Club

Founded in 1929, Dijon Echiquier des Ducs has a substantially longer history than many contemporary chess associations in the region. The club itself marked this continuity when it celebrated its 90th anniversary in December 2019.

Today, Dijon has several active chess organizations. However, Dijon Echiquier des Ducs maintains its own distinct identity, FFE affiliation, training program, teams, and tournament calendar. In particular, the long-running Open de Dijon remains directly associated with the club.

The club also continues to participate in the wider chess structure of Côte-d’Or and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. Its combination of weekly club life, youth training, Nationale 4 competition, and tournament organization provides several forms of over-the-board chess activity within Dijon.