1er Open International d’Échecs des Menuires
1er Open International d’Échecs des Menuires, July 11-18, 2026, Les Menuires, France brings high-level summer chess to the French Alps with three parallel tournaments built around FIDE-rating groups. The organizer runs a full 9-round week that welcomes ambitious juniors, competitive club players, and titled guests, while keeping the playing experience focused and professional. A €25,000 total announced prize fund and dedicated women’s prizes add real sporting stakes across all groups. Les Menuires places the event in a mountain-resort setting that makes the trip feel like a true chess holiday rather than a standard weekend open.
The event uses the Fischer time control (90 minutes for 40 moves, plus 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment per move) for all tournaments and keeps the same round timetable across the week. The resort also publishes an optional participant offer for summer activities during tournament week, which can help families and accompanying guests plan a full stay. With structured sections, clear entry-fee tiers, and a central venue in the resort, the tournament targets players who want classical chess intensity paired with a memorable destination.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | July 11-18, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Les Menuires (Les Belleville), France |
| ♟️ Format | Three parallel 9-round tournaments |
| ⭐ Rating | The organizer groups players by FIDE rating thresholds |
| 📂 Sections | Masters, Accession, Avenir |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes for 40 moves, +30 minutes, with 30-second increment per move |
| 💳 Entry fee | €25–€70 depending on tournament and age; titled player conditions apply in Masters |
| 💰 Prize fund | €25,000 total announced cash prize fund |
| 👤 Eligibility | Masters: FIDE rating ≥ 1900; Accession: FIDE rating between 1550 and 2000; Avenir: FIDE rating < 1600 |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | The organizer applies increased entry-fee rates after May 31, 2026 |
🏆 Prize Fund
Masters (main prizes)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €3,000 |
| 2nd | €2,000 |
| 3rd | €1,500 |
| 4th | €1,000 |
| 5th | €800 |
| 6th | €600 |
| 7th | €500 |
| 8th | €400 |
| 9th | €300 |
| 10th | €300 |
| 11th–15th | €200 each |
Masters (women’s prizes)
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st woman | €1,000 |
| 2nd woman | €800 |
| 3rd woman | €600 |
Accession (main prizes)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €1,000 |
| 2nd | €700 |
| 3rd | €400 |
| 4th | €300 |
| 5th | €300 |
| 6th | €200 |
| 7th | €200 |
| 8th | €100 |
| 9th | €100 |
| 10th | €100 |
Accession (women’s prizes)
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st woman | €300 |
| 2nd woman | €200 |
| 3rd woman | €100 |
Avenir (main prizes)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €500 |
| 2nd | €400 |
| 3rd | €300 |
| 4th | €200 |
| 5th | €100 |
Avenir (women’s prizes)
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st woman | €150 |
| 2nd woman | €100 |
| 3rd woman | €50 |
The organizer also awards additional category prizes by age groups and rating brackets, but it does not publish the amounts on the tournament page.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The organizer runs all three tournaments over 9 rounds and uses the same Fischer time control for every game: 90 minutes for 40 moves, plus 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment per move. The organizer defines tournament eligibility by FIDE rating thresholds for Masters, Accession, and Avenir, and it keeps the round timetable identical across groups to simplify logistics for players and families.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Masters | FIDE rating ≥ 1900 | GM/WGM/IM/WIM receive free entry; FM/WFM and age-based fees apply |
| Accession | FIDE rating between 1550 and 2000 | Age-based fees apply |
| Avenir | FIDE rating < 1600 | Age-based fees apply |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 11, 2026 | Saturday | 3:00 PM | Round 1 |
| July 12, 2026 | Sunday | 2:30 PM | Round 2 |
| July 13, 2026 | Monday | 10:00 AM | Round 3 |
| July 13, 2026 | Monday | 4:00 PM | Round 4 |
| July 14, 2026 | Tuesday | 2:30 PM | Round 5 |
| July 15, 2026 | Wednesday | 2:30 PM | Round 6 |
| July 16, 2026 | Thursday | 2:30 PM | Round 7 |
| July 17, 2026 | Friday | 2:30 PM | Round 8 |
| July 18, 2026 | Saturday | 9:00 AM | Round 9 |
| July 18, 2026 | Saturday | 3:00 PM | Prize ceremony |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Online registration via HelloAsso |
| Registration link | https://www.helloasso.com/associations/echecs-club-de-corbas/evenements/open-international-des-menuires |
| Masters entry fees | GM/WGM/IM/WIM: Free; FM/WFM: €50; Age 20+: €70; Under 20: €35 (increased rates apply after May 31, 2026) |
| Accession entry fees | Age 20+: €60; Under 20: €30 (increased rates apply after May 31, 2026) |
| Avenir entry fees | Age 20+: €50; Under 20: €25 (increased rates apply after May 31, 2026) |
| Eligibility checkpoints | Masters: FIDE ≥ 1900; Accession: FIDE 1550–2000; Avenir: FIDE < 1600 |
| Payment method | Online card payment through HelloAsso |
| Resort activity offer | The resort publishes an optional 7-day unlimited summer-activities offer for €35 per person during tournament week |
👥 Organizer
Échecs Club de Corbas Mions organizes the 1st Open International d’Échecs des Menuires in collaboration with the Les Menuires resort and delivers three rating-based tournaments under a single week-long schedule. The organizer centralizes registration online and publishes the full tournament structure, fees, and prize lists to help players choose the right section and plan a complete summer stay in the Belleville Valley.
Email: openechecsmenuires@gmail.com
Website: https://www.openechecs-menuires.com/
🏨 Venue
Le Break des Menuires – Centre Sportif, 964 Avenue de la Croisette, 73440 Les Belleville, France
The organizer places the playing hall in the Les Menuires resort area, which sits in the Belleville Valley in the French Alps. The venue location supports a full-week event schedule and keeps players close to the resort’s services and summer activities.
🛎️ Accommodation
The organizer directs players to the official Les Menuires accommodation portal for lodging options in the resort. The tournament website states that booking opens at the beginning of 2026.
https://location.lesmenuires.com
🚗 How to Get There
The Les Menuires resort publishes practical access guidance for train, bus, and car travel. The nearest train station is Moûtiers Salins Brides-Les-Bains, located 27 km from Les Menuires, and the resort lists coach transfers and taxi options for the final leg into the valley.
https://lesmenuires.com/fr/acces-transports
Bring your best tournament focus to the mountains and turn a full week of classical chess into a destination event you will remember.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - €25,000
Date And Time
18-07-2026
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Organizer
Échecs Club de Corbas Mions is a community chess club based in Corbas and Mions, near Lyon, France. It supports players across age groups and playing strengths. Moreover, the club operates as a reliable tournament organizer in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Over the years, ECCM has delivered competitive calendars that include FIDE-rated tournaments and structured weekend events. It is also behind major projects such as the open chess tournament in Les Menuires, designed for ambitious club players and titled guests. In addition, the club runs regular competitions and team activities across classical chess, rapid, and blitz formats.
Furthermore, ECCM invests heavily in coaching pathways and a strong junior chess program. It combines practical training with frequent over-the-board experience and clear fair play expectations. As a result, members can progress from learning sessions to serious rated play.
Address: Mairie de Corbas, Boîte aux Lettres des Associations, Place Charles Jocteur, 69960 Corbas, France
Email: echecsclubcorbas@free.fr
Phone: +33 6 75 24 24 98
Website: https://www.echecsclubcorbas.fr/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/%C3%89checs-club-de-Corbas-Mions-61558871554251/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echecs_club_corbas_mions/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/EcCorbas
Main contact: Sébastien Georges