23e Open International de Noël de Mont-de-Marsan 2026
23e Open International de Noël de Mont-de-Marsan 2026 takes place from December 26 – 30, 2026, at Auberge Landaise in Mont-de-Marsan, France. The tournament offers a 9-round FIDE-rated classical open during the Christmas holiday period.
This is a chess tournament in Mont-de-Marsan, France, in 2026. Players will compete in one open section with a classical time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move.
The event offers a confirmed prize fund of €6,000 / approx. $6,980, including a €1,200 first prize. In addition, the tournament includes Elo-category prizes, optional bye rules, side activities, and practical shuttle support during the event.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | 23e Open International de Noël de Mont-de-Marsan 2026 |
| 📅 Dates | December 26 – 30, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Mont-de-Marsan, France |
| 🏛️ Venue | Auberge Landaise – 328 Rue de l’Auberge Landaise, 40000 Mont-de-Marsan, France |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss open |
| 🧩 Sections | One open section |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE-rated and FFE-approved |
| 📊 FIDE Rating List | February 2027 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes per player + 30 seconds per move |
| 👨⚖️ Arbiter | Alain Lucazeau |
| 💰 Prize Fund | €6,000 / approx. $6,980 |
| 🥇 First Prize | €1,200 |
| 📝 Adult Entry Fee | €55; €60 from December 20, 2026 |
| 🧒 Youth Entry Fee | €28; €30 from December 20, 2026 |
| ⏳ Attendance Deadline | December 26, 2026, 10:30 |
| 🎯 First Round | December 26, 2026, 11:00 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Players receive 90 minutes for the game, plus a 30-second increment from move one. This time control gives the event a full classical format across five playing days.
The tournament uses a 9-round Swiss system. In addition, the event counts for the February 2027 FIDE rating list, so players should check their federation and license status before entering.
Players may request one half-point bye until Round 6. However, this bye option does not apply to titled players, IM players, or GM players.
💰 Prize Fund
The tournament offers a confirmed prize fund of €6,000 / approx. $6,980.
Prize Fund Overview
| Prize Information | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total prize fund | €6,000 / approx. $6,980 |
| 1st prize | €1,200 |
| General prizes | 8 prizes |
| Additional prizes | Several Elo-category prizes |
The event includes eight general prizes and several Elo-category awards. Therefore, players can compete for both overall standings and rating-group prizes.
🧩 Sections / Groups
The tournament has one open section. All eligible players compete in the same 9-round Swiss event.
This structure gives players a direct classical tournament experience. At the same time, the prize categories create extra goals for club players in different Elo ranges.
The event also suits players who want a serious post-Christmas chess tournament in southwestern France.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Saturday, December 26 | Attendance control closes at 10:30; Round 1 starts at 11:00 |
| December 26–30 | Nine FIDE-rated Swiss rounds |
| Wednesday, December 30 | Final rounds and prize awards |
Players should complete attendance control before the published deadline on the first day. In addition, they should plan travel carefully because Round 1 starts late in the morning on December 26.
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Method | Bank transfer or direct contact with the organizer |
| Adult Entry Fee | €55 |
| Adult Late Entry Fee | €60 from December 20, 2026 |
| Youth Entry Fee | €28 |
| Youth Late Entry Fee | €30 from December 20, 2026 |
| Free Entry | GM and IM players who confirm before December 5, subject to available places |
| Payment Recipient | ASSOC L ECHIQUIER MONTOIS |
| IBAN | FR76 1330 6009 4000 0206 9278 209 |
| BIC | AGRIFRPP833 |
| Contact Email | b.dubertrand@orange.fr |
| Contact Phone | +33 6 72 04 05 88 |
Players should register early to secure the lower entry fee. Moreover, titled players who qualify for free entry should confirm before December 5, because free places depend on availability.
👥 Organizer
Échiquier Montois organizes the 23e Open International de Noël de Mont-de-Marsan 2026. The club runs the event as a traditional Christmas open with FIDE-rated classical games, prize categories, and player services in Mont-de-Marsan.
Phone: +33 6 72 04 05 88
Email: b.dubertrand@orange.fr
🏛️ Venue
Auberge Landaise – 328 Rue de l’Auberge Landaise, 40000 Mont-de-Marsan, France
The tournament takes place in the bright playing hall of Auberge Landaise. The venue gives players a practical local setting for five days of classical chess.
Players should use the full venue address when planning arrival. In addition, they should allow enough time for attendance control before the first round.
🚆 How to Get There
Players should travel to Auberge Landaise – 328 Rue de l’Auberge Landaise, 40000 Mont-de-Marsan, France.
Mont-de-Marsan has rail and road connections within the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Players arriving by train can travel to Mont-de-Marsan station and continue to the venue by local transport, taxi, or the tournament shuttle when available.
The organizer plans shuttle support during the tournament between the hotel and the playing hall. In addition, shuttle support may be available from the station on the first and last tournament days.
ℹ️ Other Information
The tournament program includes side activities, a non-rated blitz event, and tastings.
Players should confirm all practical details before travel, especially shuttle timing, bye requests, and payment status. Therefore, early contact with the organizer can make the tournament experience smoother.
23e Open International de Noël de Mont-de-Marsan 2026 offers a festive FIDE-rated chess open in southwestern France, with a strong prize fund, a clear classical format, and practical support for visiting players.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $6,980
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Échiquier Montois is a chess club based in Mont-de-Marsan, in the Landes department of southwestern France. The club welcomes players at the Maison des Associations Joëlle Vincens, 39 Rue Martin Luther King, close to the local media library. It offers a regular setting for over-the-board chess, training, friendly play, and official competition.
The club opens on Wednesdays and Fridays, which gives members a clear weekly rhythm for practice and club life. Young players and beginners can join early sessions, while adult players and experienced competitors can use the later club hours for stronger games and preparation. Therefore, Échiquier Montois works well for new players, juniors, club players, and regular tournament competitors.
Échiquier Montois has a strong local identity in Mont-de-Marsan. Its activity combines learning, intergenerational chess, individual tournaments, team events, and regional participation. As a result, the club plays an important role for players who search for chess in Mont-de-Marsan and accessible chess activity in the Landes area.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
Échiquier Montois supports a broad chess program. The club’s public activity includes initiation, improvement sessions, individual competitions, team competitions, and the organization of regional, national, and international tournaments. This gives players several ways to enter chess and then move toward more serious competition.
The club is best known for the Open International de Noël de Mont-de-Marsan, a traditional year-end tournament. The 22nd edition was scheduled from December 26–30, 2025, at Auberge Landaise, with nine FIDE-rated rounds and a classical time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. The event also listed a €5,500 prize fund, showing the organizer’s ability to manage a serious open tournament.
Team chess also has a strong place in the club’s activity. Échiquier Montois appears in official French chess records with teams in Nationale 4, women’s interclub competition, youth interclub activity, Coupe de France, and regional team events. Moreover, the club holds a federal women’s label, which highlights its role in supporting women’s chess participation.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Players who join Échiquier Montois can expect a practical and welcoming chess environment. The club serves all ages and levels, from beginners to experienced players. It also promotes self-control, respect for opponents, and connections between generations, which gives the club a strong community profile.
The club’s venue is listed with accessible entry support, and the weekly schedule gives players regular opportunities to play. In addition, its team structure helps active members gain match experience across different levels. This makes the club useful for players who want both friendly chess and official competition.
For players searching for chess tournaments in France, chess in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, or a reliable chess club in Mont-de-Marsan, Échiquier Montois offers a strong regional option. Its mix of club sessions, youth activity, team play, women’s chess, and the Christmas international open gives the organizer a clear place in the French chess community.
