1° Weekend Paul Morphy – Coppa Bianco d’Oro
1° Weekend Paul Morphy – Coppa Bianco d’Oro will take place from October 23–25, 2026, in Santhià, Italy. This is a chess tournament in Santhià, Italy, in 2026.
The event offers a FIDE-rated classical chess tournament with 5 Swiss-system rounds. Players can enter Torneo A or Torneo B according to the published Elo limits.
The tournament suits club players, youth players, improving competitors, coaches, families, and visitors. In addition, the compact weekend format gives players a clear schedule, a practical venue, and a confirmed €1,550 prize fund.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏷️ Tournament | 1° Weekend Paul Morphy – Coppa Bianco d’Oro |
| 📅 Dates | October 23–25, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Santhià, Italy |
| 🏛️ Venue | Centro Polivalente Spazio Eventi, Via Monte Bianco 24, Santhià, Italy |
| ♟️ Format | Classical weekend chess tournament |
| 🌍 Rating | FIDE Standard-rated |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 |
| 🧩 Pairing system | Swiss system |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| 👥 Sections | Torneo A: Elo above 1900; Torneo B: Elo below 2000 |
| ⏳ Default time | 40 minutes |
| 👤 Capacity | 80 confirmed players |
| 💶 Entry fee | Standard: €60; reduced fees available |
| 🏆 Prize fund | €1,550, approximately US$1,800 |
| 🏛️ Organizer | A.S.D. Paul Morphy Chess Club Livorno Ferraris |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a classical time control of 90 minutes per player, plus a 30-second increment for every move. Therefore, players receive enough time for serious calculation during each game.
Pairings follow the Swiss system across 5 rounds. The tournament counts for FIDE Standard rating, and the FIDE Elo list in force on October 1, 2026 determines rating references.
Tie-breaks use total Buchholz first. Then the number of games with black applies, followed by ARO Cut 1. Also, a player who arrives more than 40 minutes after the round starts loses by default.
🏆 Prize Fund
The tournament has a confirmed cash prize fund of €1,550, approximately US$1,800. Prize winners must attend the award ceremony to receive their prizes.
| Prize Category | Torneo A | Torneo B |
|---|---|---|
| 1st place | €350 + cup | €240 + cup |
| 2nd place | €220 + medal | €160 + medal |
| 3rd place | €140 + medal | €100 + medal |
| Best performance | €80 | €60 |
| Best U18 player | €55 | €45 |
| Best player over 60 | €55 | €45 |
Sponsor prizes will also be awarded during the prize ceremony. Moreover, the official trophies and medals form part of the award presentation after the final round.
👥 Sections / Groups
Torneo A
Torneo A is for players with Elo above 1900. The organizer may also assign up to three wild cards for Open A at its discretion.
Torneo B
Torneo B is for players with Elo below 2000. This section gives club players and developing competitors a separate weekend group within the same FIDE-rated event.
Eligibility
Players need valid FSI membership or must belong to a FIDE-affiliated federation. Foreign players may also enter when they hold FIDE Elo status.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|
| October 22, 2026 | — | Bank transfer payment deadline |
| October 23, 2026 | 17:00–17:30 | Attendance check |
| October 23, 2026 | 18:00 | Round 1 |
| October 24, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 2 |
| October 24, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 3 |
| October 25, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 4 |
| October 25, 2026 | 15:00 | Round 5 |
| October 25, 2026 | After Round 5 | Prize ceremony |
📝 Registration
| Registration Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Registration method | Online pre-registration through Vesus or email registration |
| Registration email | info@pmcc.it |
| Capacity | Registration is guaranteed up to 80 confirmed players |
| Standard entry fee | €60 for Torneo A and Torneo B |
| PMCC member fee | €50 |
| U20 and women’s entry fee | €40 |
| FM, CM FIDE, and national master fee | €20 |
| GM and IM fee | €10 |
| Payment deadline | October 22, 2026 |
| Payment method | Bank transfer |
| Payment recipient | ASD Paul Morphy Chess Club Livorno Ferraris |
| IBAN | IT09C0306909606100000140779 |
| Payment reference | Iscrizione torneo Paul Morphy, followed by player name and surname |
| Confirmation rule | Registration becomes valid only after the organizer receives the entry fee |
| Byes | One requested half-point bye is allowed per player when communicated in advance |
🏛️ Organizer
Organizer: A.S.D. Paul Morphy Chess Club Livorno Ferraris
A.S.D. Paul Morphy Chess Club Livorno Ferraris organizes the 1° Weekend Paul Morphy – Coppa Bianco d’Oro in Santhià. The club runs the event as a two-section FIDE-rated weekend tournament with clear Elo limits, a compact schedule, and a confirmed prize fund.
Email: info@pmcc.it
Phone: +39 340 928 8217
📍 Venue
Centro Polivalente Spazio Eventi, Via Monte Bianco 24, Santhià, Italy
The tournament takes place at Centro Polivalente Spazio Eventi in Santhià. Players should use the full venue address for map navigation and arrive in time for the Friday attendance check before round 1.
🚆 How to Get There
Players can reach the venue from the TO-MI motorway by using the Santhià exit. In addition, the Turin–Milan railway line serves Santhià railway station, which makes the location practical for players arriving by train.
ℹ️ Other Practical Information
Players may not carry or use mobile phones in the playing hall. Therefore, participants should switch off their devices and keep them away from the playing area during games.
A pairing-assigned bye for an odd number of players scores 1 point. Meanwhile, a player-requested bye scores ½ point and may be used only once during the tournament.
The prize ceremony takes place after the fifth round. Finally, players should attend the ceremony because prizes require the winner’s presence.
Overall, this event gives players a practical opportunity to play FIDE-rated classical chess in Santhià during a compact weekend tournament.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $1,800
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Paul Morphy Chess Club Liv.F. is a chess club in Livorno Ferraris, in the province of Vercelli, Piedmont, Italy. The club gives local players a regular place for over-the-board chess, club activity, training, and tournament preparation. Its venue is on Via Martiri della Libertà 35, where members meet during the week and on Saturday afternoons.
The club operates as an amateur sports chess association and belongs to the Italian Chess Federation structure. Its weekly schedule includes Tuesday and Friday evening sessions from 21:00, plus Saturday afternoon activity from 15:00. Therefore, players can use the club for friendly games, internal tournaments, analysis, and regular practical chess work.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
Paul Morphy Chess Club Liv.F. organizes a growing calendar of rated chess tournaments and local competition in Livorno Ferraris and nearby venues. Its 2026 program includes the I° Torneo Rapid Livorno Ferraris – Memorial Galileo Ferraris, a nine-round rapid event with a 12+3 time control. The club also lists the II° Torneo Rapid Viverone – Trofeo Mantho and the I° Weekend Paul Morphy – Coppa Bianco d’Oro.
The organizer also runs the Gran Prix del Sabato, a monthly Saturday tournament series with seven rounds and a 12+3 rapid format. In addition, the club separates its calendar between official approved tournaments and promotional events. This gives players useful options for competitive rapid chess, classical weekend play, and regular club-level tournament practice.
Team chess also forms part of the club’s activity. Paul Morphy Chess Club Liv.F. fields a team in the Italian Team Championship structure and reached promotion toward Serie C competition. As a result, members can move from club play into official Italian team chess.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Players can expect a practical club setting with flexible playing times, direct contact channels, and a clear local tournament calendar. The annual membership gives access to internal tournaments, special initiatives, and club events. Moreover, the club offers training evenings, collective analysis, study moments, and beginner-friendly lessons.
The club also helps keep chess in Livorno Ferraris active through public events, tournament organization, and cooperation with the local community. Its activity connects casual players, improving competitors, and registered federation players in one local chess environment. For visiting players, Paul Morphy Chess Club Liv.F. offers a useful route into over-the-board chess in Piedmont, with rapid tournaments, weekend events, and a stable club venue in the Vercelli area.
Venue on the Map
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