19th Kalamaria International Open Tournament 2026 runs from August 28 to September 4, 2026 in Kalamaria, Greece. This is a chess tournament in Kalamaria, Greece, in 2026. The event takes place at the Municipal Theatre “Navarchos Votsis” in Kalamaria and stands out as one of the notable late-summer opens in northern Greece.

The tournament offers three groups with different player profiles. Group-A is for players rated FIDE 1800 and above, with the women’s threshold set at 1700 and above. Group-B is for players rated FIDE 1400–2000 or for players without a FIDE rating. Group-C is a youth event for children up to 12 years old.

The event also brings a strong total prize fund of €5,000, which is about USD 5,853 using the ECB reference rate of EUR 1 = USD 1.1706 on April 8, 2026. In addition, the organizers publish a full playing schedule, clear entry rules, and a central theatre venue, so the event works well for both local players and visitors.

🏁 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Groups A and B use a classical format of 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 15 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment from move one. Therefore, both main groups fit the standard FIDE style rather than a faster weekend format. Group C uses a shorter 45+30 format, which suits the youth section better.

The event also uses a Swiss system in all three groups. Groups A and B run for 9 rounds, while Group C runs for 7 rounds. In addition, the published tie-break order is direct encounter when applicable, then Buchholz Cut-1, Buchholz, Sonneborn-Berger, and finally number of wins.

💰 Prize Fund

The confirmed total prize fund is €5,000. That amount gives the tournament a strong overall prize level for a multi-group late-summer open in Greece. The official materials also state that players must attend the prize ceremony to receive prize money or awards.

♟️ Sections / Groups

Group A also allows a small number of exceptions. Up to three players without the required rating may enter by organizer decision, while three more places are available through the 18th Blitz “G. Ioakeimidis” on August 27, 2026.

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

The organizers also offer useful discounts. The second family member receives 20% off, the third and following family members receive 50% off, and players with disabilities also receive 50% off. However, from August 1 onward, the entry fee increases by €10. Cancellations are accepted until August 15.

👤 Organizer

The event is organized jointly by the Municipality of Kalamaria, the Union of Chess Players of Kalamaria, and the Union of Chess Players of Thessaloniki. Together, they give the tournament a strong local base and a clear club structure behind the 2026 edition.

Phone: +30 697 628 3524
Email: kalamaria.open@gmail.com

📍 Venue

Municipal Theatre “Navarchos Votsis”, Anatolikis Thrakis 8, Kalamaria 55134, Greece

The tournament takes place in the Municipal Theatre “Navarchos Votsis” in Kalamaria. Because the organizers publish the full address clearly and also connect the event to a Google Maps location through Chess-Results, the venue is easy to identify and map before arrival.

🚗 How to Get There

The venue is in Kalamaria at Anatolikis Thrakis 8. Therefore, the safest plan is to navigate directly to the theatre address and arrive early, especially on the first day because participation confirmation closes at 3:30 PM. In addition, the event runs over a full week for Groups A and B, so players should plan travel according to their group schedule rather than only the opening day.

It is a strong choice for players who want a major late-summer Greek open with clear group structure, a confirmed €5,000 prize fund, and a full week of standard chess.