2026 CTCA International Chess Open will take place from July 20 – 26, 2026, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. This is a chess tournament in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in 2026.

Moreover, the tournament welcomes players from around the world to a full international chess event in southern Taiwan. The program includes an open section, youth age categories, and separate open and girls events for younger players.

In addition, the event takes place at the Howard Plaza Hotel Kaohsiung, which also serves as the official hotel. Therefore, players can combine tournament play, accommodation, meals, and event services in one practical location.

♟️ Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Classical Format

Players receive 90 minutes for the game, plus a 30-second increment per move. Therefore, the event offers a clear classical format for all main tournament categories.

The tournament uses a 9-round Swiss System. In addition, Swiss-Manager handles the pairings.

Tie-Break System

Final rankings use direct encounter first. After that, the tie-break order is Median Buchholz, Buchholz, and greater number of wins.

The default time is 15 minutes after each round starts. Therefore, players should arrive early and sit at the board before every game.

Blitz Tournament

The blitz tournament takes place on July 23. It uses a 9-round Swiss System with a time control of 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move.

The organizers automatically include all CTCA standard tournament players in the blitz tournament list. However, players who do not want to play blitz must notify the organizer by 12:00 on July 21.

💰 Prize Fund

Prize Fund Overview

The standard tournament lists up to NT$530,000 in cash prizes, approx. $17,200, if all age categories receive the listed awards. However, the organizers may merge categories with too few players and adjust cash prizes proportionally.

Players can win only one prize based on their registered category or age group. Moreover, non-citizens receive cash prizes after the required 20% local tax deduction.

Open Category Prizes

Age Group Prizes

The top three players in each category or age group receive trophies and certificates. In addition, players ranked from fourth to sixth receive medals and certificates.

🏆 Sections / Groups

Main Categories

Category Notes

The organizer may merge categories or age groups according to the number of registered players. However, the prize rules still follow each player’s registered category or group.

Each category needs at least 10 players for the listed prize structure. As a result, the final category handling depends on confirmed registration numbers.

📅 Schedule

Arrival and Opening Program

Main Tournament Rounds

Blitz, Free Day, and Closing

📝 Registration

Registration Fees

The registration fee includes the official polo shirt, entrance to the playing venue, analysis rooms, opening ceremony, closing ceremony, and dinner banquet. In addition, foreign participants receive transportation between the official hotel and Kaohsiung International Airport during the scheduled arrival and departure dates.

Registration Process

Players can register directly with the organizing committee. Moreover, all participants and accompanying persons must send the registration form, room request, passport-color photo, and other required details by email.

Withdrawals before June 10 incur a 20% fee. From June 11 to July 10, withdrawals incur a 50% fee. After July 10, the organizers do not refund fees.

Payment Notes

Participants must wire the full payment amount and cover all bank charges. Therefore, players should make sure bank fees do not reduce the amount that reaches the organizer.

🧑‍💼 Organizer

The Chinese Taipei Chess Association organizes the 2026 CTCA International Chess Open, while the Kaohsiung Chess Committee implements the event. As a result, the tournament combines national federation coordination with local chess organization in Kaohsiung.

Moreover, the program brings together youth chess, open competition, blitz chess, and official ceremonies. This structure gives players and families a complete international tournament experience.

Email: ctcachessopen2026@gmail.com
Phone: +886 7 522 5115

📍 Venue

Playing Hall

Howard Plaza Hotel Kaohsiung — No. 311, Qi Xian 1st Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Venue Notes

The tournament takes place at the Howard Plaza Hotel Kaohsiung, a five-star international hotel. Therefore, players can stay and play at the same official location.

The playing venue uses the M3F Fuhua Hall. In addition, the hotel gives players a comfortable competition setting with accommodation, meals, and event facilities in one place.

🏨 Accommodation

Official Hotel Package

All international players and accompanying persons must register through the organizer and stay at the official hotel. The package prices apply per person.

Package Includes

The room rates include 7 nights of accommodation from July 20 to July 27. In addition, they include 7 breakfasts from July 21 to July 27 and 5 buffet lunches on July 21, 22, 23, 25, and 26.

Guests can also use the 10th-floor gym and outdoor swimming pool. However, the rates do not include dinner or lunch on the free day.

Meal Notes

Extra buffet lunch tickets cost $21 per meal. Therefore, players or accompanying persons who need additional lunch tickets should notify the organizer during registration.

A buffet lunch is available at Lixiangyuan on the 5th floor. Moreover, the official hotel page highlights five-star chef cuisine and unlimited Häagen-Dazs ice cream.

✈️ How to Get There

Travel to Kaohsiung

Participants arriving on international flights should travel to Kaohsiung International Airport. From there, the host federation arranges transportation between the airport and the official hotel during the scheduled arrival and departure dates.

Players should send flight details by email before travel. As a result, the organizer can prepare the airport transfer more efficiently.

Local Planning

The tournament schedule begins with arrival and player registration on July 20. Therefore, international players should plan travel so they can complete registration before the technical meeting.

The free day on July 24 includes a Kaohsiung day tour. In addition, participants who want to extend their stay in Taiwan can contact the organizer for suggestions.

ℹ️ Other Information

Appeals

The technical meeting appoints the Appeals Committee. In addition, any appeal must reach the committee in writing within 15 minutes after the relevant game ends.

The appeal deposit is $100. However, the organizer refunds the deposit if the appeal succeeds.

Playing Hall Rules

Players may not bring mobile phones or electronic devices into the playing hall. Any violation results in loss of the game.

The organizers allow photo taking only during the first 10 minutes of each round and only in designated areas for registered accompanying persons.

Titled Player Conditions

GM, IM, WGM, and WIM title holders, as well as players rated above 2500, receive free tournament entry. In addition, a limited number of free rooms are available for GM, IM, WGM, and WIM players.

The organizer allocates these rooms on a first-come, first-served basis to titled players who confirm attendance. Therefore, eligible players should contact the organizer early if they want to request accommodation support.

Finally, the 2026 CTCA International Chess Open offers a full international chess week with standard games, blitz chess, youth categories, hotel-based playing conditions, and a welcoming Kaohsiung setting.