♟️ About Échiquier Mentonnais

Échiquier Mentonnais is a chess club and French law 1901 association based in Menton, on the French Riviera. The club is affiliated with the Fédération Française des Échecs (FFE) under club code I06074. It combines competitive chess, regular club play, junior instruction, local tournaments, and the organization of the annual International Chess Open of Menton.

The club traces its foundation to 1983. Its creation appeared in the Journal Officiel in February that year, and Jean Perrin founded the association and became its first president. The club initially met at the municipal foyer before using several venues, including the Café de Paris and the Palais de l’Europe. In 1999, the City of Menton provided a renovated club venue at 10 Val de Menton. Moreover, the association’s current registered establishment moved to 21 Promenade de la Mer in 2024.

Serge Cairo currently serves as President of Échiquier Mentonnais. The current FFE club record also identifies him as the principal club contact. He has played a particularly important role in the association’s modern development because he created the Open International d’Échecs de Menton, which has become the club’s flagship annual competition. The current board also includes Thierry Vincent, who serves as Treasurer.

🏆 International Open of Menton

The Open International d’Échecs de Menton represents the largest recurring tournament project of Échiquier Mentonnais. Serge Cairo created the competition, and the club has developed it into an annual multi-section international open at the Palais de l’Europe in central Menton.

The tournament has grown considerably over time. For example, the 21st edition in 2024 attracted 265 players, including several grandmasters. The club deliberately controlled the number of entries to preserve suitable playing conditions. Consequently, the competition has developed substantial participation while retaining a single principal venue.

The event also has a distinctive place in the club’s history. In 2011, former World Champion Anatoly Karpov gave a simultaneous exhibition during the International Open. The club itself identifies that appearance as one of the memorable events in its development.

Today, the Open runs alongside cooperation with the City of Menton and operates under FFE and FIDE regulations. Nevertheless, Échiquier Mentonnais remains the chess organizer behind the tournament, rather than the municipality or the Palais de l’Europe venue.

🌟 23e Open International d’Échecs de Menton 2026

Échiquier Mentonnais organizes the 23e Open International d’Échecs de Menton from October 18–25, 2026 at the Palais de l’Europe, 8 avenue Boyer, Menton. The 2026 festival consists of three classical tournaments and can accommodate close to 350 players.

Tournoi A is reserved for players rated 1900 and above. Meanwhile, Tournoi B covers the 1600–1999 range, while Tournoi C is intended for players below 1700. The organizers apply the October 2026 FIDE ratings strictly to these divisions.

All three tournaments use a nine-round Swiss system and count for FIDE and FFE rating. For Tournoi A, the FFE lists a €5,100 prize fund, including €1,300 for first place. In addition, the 2026 tournament team includes international arbiters Claire Pernoud, Jean-Dominique Coqueraut, and Ruslan Ershov.

The FFE currently names Serge Cairo and Charly Benedetti as the organizers. Moreover, Charly Benedetti serves as the published tournament contact for the 2026 edition. This structure reflects the club’s established approach, with experienced members handling tournament administration while Serge Cairo continues to lead the association.

🎓 Junior Chess and Chess Education

Chess education has formed part of Échiquier Mentonnais for many years. Former president Daniel Plessy introduced the club to official competitive chess and established its chess school. Since then, junior instruction has remained part of the association’s activities.

Today, the club provides regular training for young players throughout the year. Quentin Boutillier handles introductory chess activities within the club and also works with several schools in Menton. Therefore, the club’s educational activity extends beyond its own membership into the local school community.

The organization has a longer tradition of scholastic chess as well. In earlier years, it organized an annual interschool tournament for pupils from Menton and surrounding municipalities. In addition, the current FFE record confirms that Échiquier Mentonnais continues to participate in regional youth team competition.

♜ Team Chess and Club Life

Échiquier Mentonnais participates in official FFE team competition. The current federation record places both its adult interclub team and its youth interclub program at regional level. The FFE currently records 27 Licence A members for the club.

Historically, the association has fielded a larger team structure. In 1999, four Échiquier Mentonnais teams competed in the French championship system, and each finished first or second in its respective division. Furthermore, the club maintained chess exchanges with Baden-Baden in Germany, Menton’s twin city.

Regular club activity continues alongside formal competition. Players meet throughout the week for practice, games, and training. In addition, the club organizes smaller local tournaments as well as its major annual international open. This combination gives members opportunities for both recreational and competitive chess throughout the season.