19th International Chess Festival of Marseille 2026 will take place from July 27 – August 2, 2026, in Marseille, France. This is a chess tournament in Marseille, France, in 2026.

The festival offers three classical chess tournaments for different rating levels. Moreover, players can choose between the Principal, Accession, and Amateur sections.

In addition, the event takes place at CMA des Lices in the Saint-Victor district. Therefore, players can combine serious FIDE-rated chess with easy access to central Marseille.

♟️ Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Classical Events

The Principal and Accession tournaments use 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move. Therefore, both sections offer a full classical chess rhythm.

The Amateur tournament uses 60 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move. In addition, this section gives lower-rated players a more compact classical format.

Pairings and System

All three tournaments use the Swiss System with 9 rounds. Moreover, each section counts for FIDE standard rating.

Players may request up to two half-point byes through Round 6 in the Accession section. Therefore, players who need a bye should make the request early and clearly.

💰 Prize Fund

Prize Fund Overview

The total confirmed prize fund is €11,100, approx. $13,050. The prize program covers the Principal, Accession, and Amateur tournaments.

Moreover, each section includes main prizes and women’s prizes. As a result, players in all three sections have clear prize targets.

Prize Fund by Section

Principal Prizes

Accession Prizes

Amateur Prizes

🏆 Sections / Groups

Principal Tournament

The Principal tournament is the strongest section. Therefore, it suits titled players, strong club players, and ambitious competitors.

Accession Tournament

The Accession tournament gives experienced club players a balanced middle section. Moreover, it creates a clear bridge between the Principal and Amateur groups.

Amateur Tournament

The Amateur tournament gives lower-rated players a separate event. As a result, developing players can enjoy the same festival week in a more suitable field.

📅 Schedule

Opening Day

Main Rounds

Prize-Giving

The schedule includes double-round days on July 28 and July 30. Therefore, players should plan meals, rest, and preparation carefully on those dates.

📝 Registration

Registration Details

Late Entry Fees

GM and IM players can enter the Principal and Accession sections free of charge. In addition, FM, WFM, and CM players have reduced entry fees in the Principal and Accession sections.

Players should register before the late-fee date. Moreover, they should complete check-in before the first round to avoid pairing issues.

🧑‍💼 Organizer

Marseille-Echecs organizes the 19th International Chess Festival of Marseille. As a result, the event continues a major summer chess program in one of France’s largest cities.

Moreover, the festival offers three rating-based sections, side activities, and a central playing venue. This structure makes the event practical for local players, visiting competitors, and chess clubs traveling with several members.

Email: evenement@marseille-echecs.com
Phone: +33 6 63 95 50 50

📍 Venue

Playing Hall

Salle André Varese – CMA des Lices – 12 rue des Lices, 13007 Marseille, France

Venue Notes

The tournament takes place at CMA des Lices in the Saint-Victor district of Marseille. Therefore, players should use 12 rue des Lices as the main venue address.

The playing hall sits close to central Marseille. As a result, players can plan accommodation, food, and transport around the Vieux-Port and Saint-Victor areas.

✈️ How to Get There

Public Transport

The venue is about 15 minutes on foot from Vieux-Port metro station. Therefore, players can use Marseille’s metro network and continue to the playing hall by walking.

Several bus lines also stop near the venue. Lines 54, 55, 60, 61, 80, and 81 serve the Saint-Victor area.

Local Planning

The tramway stops at Canebière, about 20 minutes on foot from the playing hall. In addition, players can use taxi, rideshare, or local bus connections from other parts of Marseille.

Because Round 1 starts at 14:00 on July 27, players should arrive in the district early enough for check-in. This is especially important for visitors traveling on the first tournament day.

ℹ️ Other Information

Festival Activities

The festival program includes free activities such as a simultaneous exhibition with a Grandmaster, a Grandmaster masterclass, and a four-player blitz activity.

A paid blitz tournament is also planned during the festival. Therefore, players can add faster chess and training activities to the main classical schedule.

Practical Notes

Players should choose the correct section according to their Elo level. In addition, club groups should contact the organizer early if they want to use the 20% group discount.

Finally, the 19th International Chess Festival of Marseille 2026 offers three FIDE-rated tournaments, clear prize sections, and a strong summer chess atmosphere in central Marseille.