22e Grand Prix du Beaujolais 2026 brings a FIDE-rated weekend chess tournament to Villefranche-sur-Saône, France, from June 20 to June 21, 2026. The event takes place at Maison des Familles and also serves as the Championnat du Rhône.
The tournament offers two classical Swiss-system opens. Open A is for players under 2400 Elo, while Open B is for players under 1700 Elo. In addition, players below 1700 Elo may choose either Open A or Open B.
The event has €1,900 in published Open prizes, approx. USD 2,220, plus €600 in Rhône Championship awards, for a total published cash award structure of €2,500, approx. USD 2,930. Players also benefit from free parking, on-site food service, and a compact two-day schedule.
🏁 Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | June 20 – June 21, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Villefranche-sur-Saône, France |
| 🏨 Venue | Maison des Familles, 60 Impasse Gaston Tessier, 69400 Villefranche-sur-Saône, France |
| ♟️ Format | Classical Swiss-system chess tournament |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 rounds |
| ⏱️ Time control | 60 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move |
| ✅ Rating | FIDE-rated; counted for the July 2026 FIDE rating list |
| 👥 Sections | Open A under 2400 Elo; Open B under 1700 Elo |
| 💰 Published cash awards | €2,500, approx. USD 2,930, including Open prizes and Rhône Championship awards |
| 📝 Entry fees | Adult: €26 early / €30 late; youth: from €13 |
| 🚗 Parking | Free parking |
| 🍽️ Food | On-site food service |
| 👤 Organizer | Calade Échecs |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Both sections use 60 minutes plus 30 seconds increment per move. Therefore, players get a serious classical game rhythm in every round.
The tournament uses a 5-round Swiss system. Open A accepts players below 2400 Elo. Meanwhile, Open B accepts players below 1700 Elo.
Players below 1700 Elo may choose between Open A and Open B. In addition, a valid French Chess Federation Licence A is required because the tournament counts for FIDE rating.
💰 Prize Fund
The event publishes €1,900 in Open prizes, approx. USD 2,220, across Open A and Open B. In addition, the Championnat du Rhône awards €600 to eligible players licensed in Rhône department 69.
That gives the event a total published cash award structure of €2,500, approx. USD 2,930.
Open A Prizes – Under 2400 Elo
| Prize / Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st place | €250 |
| 2nd place | €200 |
| 3rd place | €170 |
| Category prizes under 2000 Elo | €50 / €30 |
| Category prizes under 1800 Elo | €50 / €30 |
| Youth category prizes | €50 / €30 |
| Best female player | €50 |
| Best player aged 50+ | €50 |
| Best local Caladois player | €50 |
| Best performance prize | Surprise prize |
Open A has a published prize total of €1,100.
Open B Prizes – Under 1700 Elo
| Prize / Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st place | €160 |
| 2nd place | €120 |
| 3rd place | €100 |
| Category prizes under 1500 Elo | €40 / €30 |
| Category prizes under 1400 Elo | €40 / €30 |
| Youth category prizes | €40 / €30 |
| Female prizes | €40 / €30 |
| Player aged 50+ prizes | €40 / €30 |
| Local Caladois prizes | €40 / €30 |
| Best performance prize | Surprise prize |
Open B has a published prize total of €800.
Championnat du Rhône Awards
| Prize | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st eligible Rhône player | €250 |
| 2nd eligible Rhône player | €200 |
| 3rd eligible Rhône player | €150 |
These Rhône Championship awards apply to players licensed in Rhône department 69 and may be cumulative with other prizes.
♟️ Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility | Rounds | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open A | Players under 2400 Elo | 5 rounds | FIDE-rated |
| Open B | Players under 1700 Elo | 5 rounds | FIDE-rated |
Players below 1700 Elo have a choice. They may enter Open B for the lower-rating section, or they may challenge themselves in Open A.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| June 20, 2026 | 09:45 | Attendance check closes |
| June 20, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 1 |
| June 20, 2026 | 13:45 | Round 2 |
| June 20, 2026 | 17:15 | Round 3 |
| June 21, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 4 |
| June 21, 2026 | 13:30 | Round 5 |
| June 21, 2026 | 17:15 | Awards ceremony |
The tournament uses a compact weekend schedule. First, players complete three rounds on Saturday. Then, they play the final two rounds on Sunday.
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration platform | https://www.helloasso.com/associations/calade-echecs/evenements/open-du-beaujolais-2026 |
| Adult entry fee | €26 |
| Adult late entry fee | €30 from June 15, 2026 |
| Youth entry fee | €13 |
| Open A youth late fee | €15 from June 15, 2026 |
| Youth age rule | Players born in 2006 or later |
| License requirement | French Chess Federation Licence A |
| On-site attendance check | Closes at 09:45 on June 20, 2026 |
Players should register online through HelloAsso before the event. In addition, they should arrive before the attendance-check deadline, since Round 1 starts at 10:00.
👤 Organizer
Calade Échecs organizes the 22e Grand Prix du Beaujolais in Villefranche-sur-Saône. The tournament combines the club’s annual Beaujolais open with the Championnat du Rhône, giving local and visiting players a strong FIDE-rated weekend event.
Phone: +33 6 80 96 91 90
Email: damschess@hotmail.com
📍 Venue
Maison des Familles, 60 Impasse Gaston Tessier, 69400 Villefranche-sur-Saône, France
The playing venue is located in Villefranche-sur-Saône, in the Rhône department. It offers a practical weekend tournament setting with free parking and on-site food service.
🚗 How to Get There
Players can reach Villefranche-sur-Saône by road or rail. The city sits north of Lyon and has convenient regional connections for players from the Rhône, Beaujolais, and wider Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes area.
Players arriving by train can use Villefranche-sur-Saône railway station and then continue to Maison des Familles by local transport, taxi, or a short car transfer. In addition, free parking makes arrival by car practical.
ℹ️ Other
The tournament awards a surprise prize for the best performance, based on a win with the largest Elo difference. In addition, prizes are guaranteed from 40 registered players.
Free parking and food service are available at the venue. Therefore, players can stay on site between rounds and manage the full weekend schedule more comfortably.
22e Grand Prix du Beaujolais 2026 offers two FIDE-rated sections, a clear weekend format, practical venue conditions, and extra Rhône Championship awards in Villefranche-sur-Saône.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $2,930
Organizer
Calade Échecs is a chess club in Villefranche-sur-Saône, Rhône, France. It began in 1991 and has kept a steady role in local chess ever since. The club works from Espace Barmondière, where players meet for training, club play, and competition. For local players, this matters because the club offers a real structure and not just occasional events. It is part of the official French federation system and stays active across the season. That stability gives beginners, juniors, and experienced players a clear place to play. It also helps the city keep a visible chess identity in the Rhône area. Rémi Barrault serves as president and remains the clearest public-facing contact behind the club’s current work.
🏆 Tournament Activity
Calade Échecs stands out for its real tournament activity. It organizes the 22e Grand Prix du Beaujolais 2026, a FIDE-rated weekend event in Villefranche-sur-Saône. The tournament also serves as the Rhône championship, which gives it added sporting value. The club also runs youth events, including a stage of the Circuit jeunes CRMLE 2026. In addition, league chess remains part of its yearly structure through team competition in Nationale 4. This matters for players because the club offers more than one annual open. It provides several ways to compete during the season. A player can join the club, play team matches, and enter open or junior events under the same organizer. As a result, Calade Échecs gives Villefranche a practical and active tournament base.
🌱 Youth and School Chess
Calade Échecs also plays a strong role in youth development and school chess. Its weekly schedule includes youth sessions on Wednesday and Saturday, along with a regular Friday evening club session. That rhythm gives children and improving players a clear path into organized chess. The school side is important as well. In the 2025–2026 season, the club organized a school chess championship in Villefranche-sur-Saône that welcomed even beginner players. This helps children move from basic knowledge to real competition without too much pressure. The club also holds the Club Formateur label, which reflects its work with young players and schools. For families, that has real value. Calade Échecs does not only serve established competitors. It also helps new players start, improve, and stay connected to the game in a supportive local setting.
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