The 20. Int. Deizisauer Herbstopen 2026 takes place from October 23–26, 2026 in Deizisau, in the Stuttgart region of Germany. Schachfreunde Deizisau e.V. organizes the anniversary edition during the Baden-Württemberg autumn school holidays at the Gemeindehalle Deizisau. The Herbstopen has developed into one of the largest and most popular autumn chess tournaments in southern Germany.

Players can choose between three sections. The A-Open is open to everyone, the B-Open accepts players with a DWZ below 1900, and the C-Open accepts players with a DWZ below 1650. All three sections run for seven Swiss rounds with 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move from move one. Moreover, every section counts for DWZ, while the A-Open and B-Open also count for FIDE Elo.

The anniversary tournament offers a combined €5,000 / approx. $5,810 prize fund. In addition, the 2026 Herbstopen forms part of the Chess Tigers Gold Tour, so eligible players can collect Tiger-Gold tickets through their tournament results and enter the tour’s year-end prize drawing.

📌 Event Details

The official website published the 2026 regulations and registration on August 14, 2026. The separate registration system collects the player’s tournament section, Elo, DWZ, FIDE ID, club information and accommodation request.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

All three sections use the Swiss system over seven rounds. Swiss-Chess produces the computer pairings, and the tournament follows the current FIDE Laws of Chess.

Half-Point Bye

Every player may request one half-point bye in Rounds 1–5.

The player must request it from the Tournament Director before the end of the preceding round. However, a Round 1 half-point bye requires both payment of the entry fee and a binding request by October 16, 2026. Each player may receive only one such half-point bye during the tournament.

Default Time & Late Arrival

The regular default time is 30 minutes from Round 2 onward. The Tournament Director announces the Round 1 default time during the opening ceremony.

If a player encounters a serious travel delay, the official FAQ asks that player to telephone the Tournament Director before the registration or round deadline. The Tournament Director or arbiter can consider exceptional circumstances only when the organizer receives the information before the game has already been recorded as a forfeit.

If a player loses by forfeit because of late arrival but still wants to continue the tournament, that player must inform the tournament staff explicitly. Otherwise, an unexplained absence can result in removal from the tournament.

Electronic Devices

Players may bring electronic devices into the tournament hall. However, every device must remain completely switched off inside a separate bag.

During a game, a player may not touch the device without the arbiter’s permission.

Arbiter Assistance

If a player needs an arbiter during a game, the official FAQ instructs the player to stop the chess clock first. The player can then contact the tournament office, the live-broadcast table near the stage, or the tournament staff in the kitchen area, who will call an arbiter to the board.

🏆 Prize Fund

The combined prize fund is €5,000 / approx. $5,810.

A-Open – €3,900 / approx. $4,530

A-Open Special Prizes

B-Open – €800 / approx. $930

B-Open Special Prizes

C-Open – €300 / approx. $350

Prize Conditions

The first prize in every section is guaranteed. The remaining prizes become available once the respective section reaches the published number of paying participants.

Players cannot receive two prizes.

When players finish level on points, Buchholz determines their ranking. The organizer shares prize money only when players finish equal on both tournament points and the applicable tie-break.

Moreover, a special-category prize requires at least five eligible participants in that category. Prize winners must attend the prize ceremony to receive their prize money.

♟️ Sections / Groups

A-Open

The A-Open is open to all players, regardless of DWZ or Elo.

It counts for both DWZ and FIDE Elo. Therefore, every A-Open participant must have a valid FIDE identification number.

B-Open

The B-Open is for players with a DWZ below 1900.

It also counts for both DWZ and FIDE Elo. Consequently, every B-Open participant needs a valid FIDE ID.

C-Open

The C-Open is for players with a DWZ below 1650.

The C-Open counts for DWZ.

Binding DWZ Limits

The published DWZ limits are binding. The organizer uses the ratings valid when the tournament begins.

Players should also note the DWZ adjustment introduced in July 2026, because it can affect section eligibility.

For a player without a DWZ, the Tournament Director decides whether that player belongs in the A-, B-, or C-Open. The organizer asks such players to pre-register rather than arrive without a section assignment.

FIDE ID

Participation in the A-Open and B-Open requires a valid FIDE identification number.

A player without a FIDE ID must obtain one from the Rating Officer of the player’s national federation before the tournament. German citizens and players resident in Germany can follow the German Chess Federation’s FIDE-ID procedure.

📅 Schedule

The official 2026 schedule is identical on the tournament website and in the regulations.

📝 Registration

Online registration is available through the official Herbstopen registration system. The form requests the player’s personal details, section, Elo, DWZ, title, club and FIDE ID. In addition, players can submit their hotel and room preferences directly through the same registration form.

After registering, the player must transfer the entry fee to the Schachfreunde Deizisau e.V. account provided in the registration confirmation.

The payment reference must include the player’s name, date of birth and chess club. Payment by the early deadline must arrive by October 16, 2026.

Entry Fees Through October 16

Players rated 2400 Elo or higher enter free.

The regulations explicitly state that the organizer offers no additional special entry-fee conditions.

Late Registration

For registration after October 16, the organizer adds €10 to the applicable entry fee.

Players may also register directly at the venue on Friday, October 23 until 5:30 PM.

Cancellation

When a registered player does not participate, the organizer refunds the entry fee after deducting a €20 administration charge.

Mandatory Participation Confirmation

Every participant must confirm participation by 5:30 PM on October 23, including players who already pre-registered.

Players can confirm:

• personally at the tournament venue; or
• through the online check-in system.

However, online check-in is available only to players who registered online and paid the entry fee by October 16. The hall opens at 4:30 PM.

Entry-Fee Receipt

Players who need an official receipt can collect it from the tournament office from the second tournament day onward.

🏛️ Organizer

The regulations list Sven Noppes as the main information contact.

📍 Venue

Gemeindehalle – Altbacher Str. 5, 73779 Deizisau, Germany.

The Gemeindehalle hosts all three tournament sections. Deizisau lies southeast of Stuttgart and close to the Neckar river. The venue has hosted the Herbstopen for many years, including the record-setting 2025 edition.

The 2025 edition attracted 304 participants, the highest number in the tournament’s history. Therefore, the Gemeindehalle has already demonstrated that it can support a large multi-section open with several hundred players.

🏨 Accommodation

Hotel Altbacher Hof

The organizer offers tournament accommodation at:

Hotel Altbacher Hof – Kirchstraße 11, 73776 Altbach, Germany

All published tournament rates include breakfast.

Players must book the tournament accommodation through the Herbstopen online registration system rather than using a separate tournament-hotel booking procedure.

The registration form includes both hotel preference and room preference fields. Players who want to share a multi-person room can use the comments field to identify the intended roommates.

The organizer recommends booking early because the special room allocation is limited.

🚆 How to Get There

By S-Bahn

Players can take S-Bahn Line S1 to Altbach and continue on foot to the Gemeindehalle.

The official maps page specifically marks the walking route from Altbach S-Bahn station to Deizisau.

By Bus

The official tournament map identifies bus line 143 and the Schule stop as another public-transport option for reaching the venue.

By Car

Drivers can approach Deizisau from the B10 using either:

The tournament regulations state that parking is available along the Neckar river.

Players should allow additional time before Round 1 because every participant must complete participation confirmation by 5:30 PM.

ℹ️ Other Information

Chess Tigers Gold Tour

The 20. Int. Deizisauer Herbstopen 2026 is an official stage of the Chess Tigers Gold Tour.

For every full tournament point, an eligible player receives one Tiger-Gold ticket. Each ticket automatically enters the player into the Gold Tour’s year-end drawing.

However, a player who receives free tournament entry, such as a qualifying Grandmaster, does not receive Tiger-Gold tickets.

The current Gold Tour rules state that the year-end drawing will award at least three high-value chess experiences. Examples include visits to a World Championship, Chess Olympiad, Bundesliga final or another premium Chess Tigers program. The travel prize normally includes flights, at least two hotel nights and accompanying program elements. The precise destinations depend on the international chess calendar.

Arbiters

The published 2026 arbiter team includes:

Appeals & Tournament Authority

The official Herbstopen FAQ states that the tournament does not use a separate appeals committee.

At tournament level, the Tournament Director is the final authority, and the organizer states that the Tournament Director’s decisions are final.

Round-Start Procedure

The Herbstopen has a distinctive round-start tradition: the organizers play music before rounds.

According to the official FAQ, when the song finishes, the games can begin and the clocks can start unless the Tournament Director takes the microphone to make another announcement.

Tournament Background

The Deizisauer Herbstopen has grown over almost two decades into a major tournament for club players, juniors, titled players and international visitors. The organizer describes it as one of the largest and most popular chess tournaments in southern Germany.

The 19th edition in 2025 attracted a record 304 players. GM Spyridon Skembris won the A-Open with 6.5/7, Alexander Nicolai won the B-Open with 6.5/7, and Phileas Pahle won the C-Open with 6/7.

The tournament has also attracted prominent international names over the years. Anish Giri played in Deizisau in 2018, while renowned Grandmaster Artur Jussupow has also visited the Herbstopen.

Live Games

The Herbstopen has an established tradition of broadcasting games from the leading boards. During the 2025 tournament, many top-board games were streamed online, allowing clubs, friends and spectators to follow the action remotely. The official tournament website continues to maintain a dedicated Live section.

Tournament Atmosphere

The organizer emphasizes both competitive chess and community atmosphere. Recent editions have brought together ambitious club players, juniors, international guests and titled players in the same tournament weekend. The organizer’s volunteers also support tournament operations and refreshments throughout the event.

The Herbstopen therefore combines serious seven-round classical competition with a club-oriented environment where players can meet, analyze games and spend several days within a large international open.