In the Tuscan city of Arezzo, the 1st Città di Arezzo Giorgio Vasari International Festival – Five-Round Chess Tournament takes place from Friday, February 27 to Sunday, March 1, 2026 in Arezzo, Italy. This classical open runs over three days at Hotel Minerva and features two rating-based sections, both valid for FIDE Elo changes. The event uses a single 90+30 time control and welcomes ambitious club players who want to combine serious games with a weekend in a historic Italian city.

Organizers offer a total prize fund of €5,000, with strong main prizes in both Open A and Open B, plus a rich set of special prizes for rating groups, age categories, and women players. A clear schedule, strict player limit of 150 participants, mandatory online pre-registration, and well-defined regulations create a smooth and professional tournament environment.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

The festival guarantees a total of €5,000 in prizes, split between main prizes in each section and several special awards.

Main Prizes – Open A (≥1900)

Main Prizes – Open B (<1900)

Special Prizes

All prizes are stated before applicable taxes and are not cumulative; each player may receive only one prize.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament uses a single classical cadence for all games:

• 90 minutes for the entire game
• 30-second increment per move from the first move

The event runs over 5 rounds with Swiss system pairings following FIDE regulations. The organizers apply a set of standard FIDE-style tiebreaks, including Buchholz systems and Sonneborn-Berger, as defined in the official regulations. The default time equals 60 minutes after the scheduled start of the round; players who arrive later lose the game by forfeit.

The tournament is valid for FIDE Elo variations and Italian FSI ratings, and all players must hold a valid 2026 FSI agonistic license.

📂 Sections / Groups

Organizers may control eligibility based on official lists and may adjust entries if a player’s rating does not match the chosen section.

📅 Schedule

Players must respect the 60-minute default time to avoid forfeiting their games.

📝 Registration

Players must complete online pre-registration and pay the entry fee by bank transfer.

Registration details:
• Online pre-registration required on Vesus by Wednesday, February 25, 2026
• Entry fees: €60 (Open A) and €50 (Open B)
• GM and IM enjoy free entry
• All entry fees increase by €10 after January 31
• Maximum 150 players; organizers accept entries in order of confirmed registration

Online registration:
Website: https://vesus.org/event/3_q7VVV5

Payment details:
• Beneficiary: ASD Circolo Scacchistico Aretino
• IBAN: IT90 X 05304 14101 000000004669
• Payment method: bank transfer
• Payment reference: player’s name, surname, and section (Open A or Open B)

Players must complete both online registration and payment to secure their place in the tournament.

👥 Organizer

The ASD Circolo Scacchistico Aretino organizes the festival and manages entries, pairings, arbiters, and all local logistics for the event in Arezzo.

Website: https://www.circoloscacchisticoaretino.it/home

🏨 Venue

The games take place at Hotel Minerva in Arezzo, a modern hotel venue with comfortable playing halls, on-site services, and easy access to the historic center. The hotel provides a dedicated tournament area as well as common spaces where players can relax between rounds and enjoy the Tuscan atmosphere.

🛎️ Accommodation

The organizers offer a special agreement with Hotel Minerva on a half-board basis.

Players should contact Hotel Minerva directly and mention the chess festival to benefit from the special rate, subject to room availability.

🚗 How to Get There

Arezzo lies in eastern Tuscany and connects easily by road and rail. You can reach the city via the A1 motorway exits near Arezzo and continue by local roads toward the center and Hotel Minerva. Trains from Florence, Rome, and other major cities serve Arezzo station, from which a short taxi or local bus ride leads to the hotel and playing venue.

The 1st Città di Arezzo Giorgio Vasari International Festival offers a strong prize fund, clear FIDE-rated classical play, and a weekend of serious chess in one of Tuscany’s most atmospheric cities.

🧾 Other

• The tournament uses FIDE Swiss pairings and official FIDE Laws of Chess.
• Electronic devices must remain completely switched off and stored away from the playing area; violations incur penalties according to the Laws of Chess.
• The default time is 60 minutes after the scheduled start of each round.
• Entry implies consent for the publication of names, ratings, and game results, and for the use of photos and videos taken during the event for chess-related communication.
• Prizes are gross amounts before taxes and are not cumulative; players receive at most one prize from the prize list.