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

⏱️ 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

Open A has a published prize total of €1,100.

Open B Prizes – Under 1700 Elo

Open B has a published prize total of €800.

Championnat du Rhône Awards

These Rhône Championship awards apply to players licensed in Rhône department 69 and may be cumulative with other prizes.

♟️ Sections / Groups

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

The tournament uses a compact weekend schedule. First, players complete three rounds on Saturday. Then, they play the final two rounds on Sunday.

📝 Registration

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.