23rd Bad Königshofen Open 2026 takes place from December 27 – 30, 2026, at the Großer Kursaal of FrankenTherme in Bad Königshofen i. Grabfeld, Germany. The tournament offers a 7-round Swiss classical open with FIDE Elo and German national rating calculation.
This is a chess tournament in Bad Königshofen, Germany, in 2026. Players will compete in one open section with Fischer classical time control and accelerated pairings in the first three rounds.
The event offers a published prize fund of €3,000 / approx. $3,490. In addition, players can compete for the traditional “Schwarzer Grabfeldspringer” and “Weiße Königin” challenge trophies, plus rating, women’s, youth, and older-player prizes.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | 23rd Bad Königshofen Open 2026 |
| 📅 Dates | December 27 – 30, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Bad Königshofen i. Grabfeld, Germany |
| 🏛️ Venue | Großer Kursaal, FrankenTherme – Am Kurzentrum 1, 97631 Bad Königshofen i. Grabfeld, Germany |
| ♟️ Format | 7-round Swiss open |
| 🧩 Sections | One open section |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE Elo and German national rating |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes to finish, plus 30 seconds per move |
| 👤 Tournament Director | Jürgen Müller, International Arbiter |
| 💰 Prize Fund | €3,000 / approx. $3,490 |
| 📌 Player Limit | 170 players |
| 📝 Attendance Confirmation | December 27, 2026, 14:00 |
| ⏳ Default Time | 30 minutes |
| 🔗 Chess-Results | https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1360077.aspx?SNode=S0&lan=0 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Players receive 90 minutes for the first 40 moves. After that, they receive 30 minutes for the rest of the game, plus a 30-second increment from move one.
The tournament uses a 7-round Swiss system. In addition, the first three rounds use accelerated pairings.
The event counts for both FIDE Elo and German national rating. Therefore, rated players can use the tournament as a compact classical event between Christmas and New Year.
The default time is 30 minutes from the scheduled start of each round. As a result, players should arrive early and check pairings carefully before every game.
💰 Prize Fund
The tournament offers a published prize fund of €3,000 / approx. $3,490.
Prize Fund Overview
| Prize Area | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total published prize fund | €3,000 / approx. $3,490 |
| General prizes | €1,125 |
| Women’s prizes | €1,125 |
| Rating prizes | €450 |
| Youth prizes | €200 |
| Older-player prizes | €100 |
General Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | €500 |
| 2nd place | €300 |
| 3rd place | €150 |
| 4th place | €100 |
| 5th place | €75 |
Women’s Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | €500 |
| 2nd place | €300 |
| 3rd place | €150 |
| 4th place | €100 |
| 5th place | €75 |
Rating and Special Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| DWZ under 2000 | €50 |
| DWZ under 1900 | €50 |
| DWZ under 1800 | €50 |
| DWZ under 1700 | €50 |
| DWZ under 1600 | €50 |
| DWZ under 1500 | €50 |
| DWZ under 1400 | €50 |
| DWZ under 1300 | €50 |
| DWZ under 1200 | €50 |
| Girls U18 | €50 |
| Girls U14 | €50 |
| Boys U18 | €50 |
| Boys U14 | €50 |
| Players aged 65+ | €50 |
| Players aged 75+ | €50 |
Players cannot receive double prizes. Women’s prizes and group prizes require at least five participants in the relevant group.
🧩 Sections / Groups
The tournament has one open section. All players compete in the same 7-round Swiss event.
This format gives players a direct classical tournament experience. At the same time, the prize structure creates separate goals for women players, youth players, older players, and players in different DWZ rating bands.
The tournament has a maximum capacity of 170 players. Since each board has its own table, the organizer aims to provide comfortable playing conditions.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, December 27 | 14:00 | Attendance confirmation deadline |
| Sunday, December 27 | 15:00 | Round 1 |
| Monday, December 28 | 09:00 | Round 2 |
| Monday, December 28 | 16:00 | Round 3 |
| Tuesday, December 29 | 09:00 | Round 4 |
| Tuesday, December 29 | 16:00 | Round 5 |
| Wednesday, December 30 | 09:00 | Round 6 |
| Wednesday, December 30 | 16:00 | Round 7 |
| Wednesday, December 30 | After Round 7 | Prize ceremony |
Players should complete attendance confirmation before 14:00 on December 27. In addition, they should plan carefully for the double-round days on December 28, 29, and 30.
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Method | Entry-fee payment by bank transfer |
| Adult Entry Fee | €40 |
| Youth Entry Fee | €20 |
| On-site Surcharge | +€5 on the tournament day |
| Payment Recipient | Schachclub 1957 Bad Königshofen e.V. |
| Bank | Sparkasse Bad Neustadt |
| IBAN | DE49 7935 3090 0000 3070 09 |
| BIC | BYLADEM1NES |
| Tournament Website | https://schachclub1957.de/turniere/turnier-archiv/bad-koenigshofen-open-2026/ |
| Registration Page | https://schachclub1957.de/anmeldung/ |
| Contact Email | juergen.mueller@schachclub1957.de |
| Contact Phone | +49 9761 39151 |
Players receive a secure place on the entry list after the organizer receives the entry fee. Therefore, players should complete payment early, especially because the tournament has a 170-player limit.
The organizer may add a €5 surcharge for players who pay on the tournament day.
👥 Organizer
Schachclub 1957 Bad Königshofen e.V. organizes the 23rd Bad Königshofen Open 2026. The club runs the event as a traditional year-end tournament with classical games, live boards, rating calculation, and the well-known “Schwarzer Grabfeldspringer” and “Weiße Königin” trophies.
Phone: +49 9761 39151
Email: juergen.mueller@schachclub1957.de
🏛️ Venue
Großer Kursaal, FrankenTherme – Am Kurzentrum 1, 97631 Bad Königshofen i. Grabfeld, Germany
The tournament takes place in the Großer Kursaal of FrankenTherme in Bad Königshofen. The venue gives players a spacious local setting for four days of rated chess.
The organizer lists 53 live chess boards and one separate table for each board. Therefore, players can expect a serious tournament setup with good playing-room conditions.
🛏️ Accommodation
The tournament information lists several accommodation options in and around Bad Königshofen.
| Accommodation | Website / Contact |
|---|---|
| Hotel Ebner | www.hotel-ebner.de, +49 9761 91190 |
| Hotel Vierjahreszeiten | www.landhotel-vierjahreszeiten.de, +49 9761 395660 |
| Schlundhaus | www.schlundhaus.de |
| Café Heintz / Ferienwohnung Heintz | www.ferienwohnung-heintz.de, +49 9761 3971795 |
| Ferienwohnungen GoJa | www.fewogoja.de, +49 160 4195896, info@fewogoja.de |
| Pension Freizeitzentrum Sambachshof | www.sambachshof-bad-koenigshofen.de, +49 9761 3962780 |
| Pension Gute Stube | www.cafepension-gutestube.de, +49 9761 1799 |
| Landgasthof Zur Linde | www.gasthaus-barthelmes.de, +49 9764 8150 |
| Lindleshof | www.lindleshof.de, +49 9761 6101 |
| Berggasthof zum Bayernturm | www.bayernturm.de, +49 9763 265 |
| Landgasthof zum Hirschen | www.hirschen-sulzfeld.de, +49 9761 395077 |
Players can also use the local accommodation information from Bad Königshofen tourism services and the spa administration.
🚆 How to Get There
Players should travel to Großer Kursaal, FrankenTherme – Am Kurzentrum 1, 97631 Bad Königshofen i. Grabfeld, Germany.
Drivers can reach Bad Königshofen conveniently via the A71. They should use the full venue address for navigation and allow enough time for attendance confirmation before the first round.
Players arriving by train can travel to Bad Neustadt/Saale, Schweinfurt, or Fulda and then continue by bus toward Bad Königshofen. Since Round 1 starts at 15:00 on December 27, players should check holiday transport schedules before travel.
ℹ️ Other Information
The tournament offers 53 live boards. In addition, each board has its own table.
Players receive a participant gift. Also, the event may offer an arbiter-norm opportunity for interested officials.
The prize ceremony takes place immediately after the final round. Players should stay after Round 7 if they may qualify for a prize.
23rd Bad Königshofen Open 2026 offers a compact post-Christmas chess tournament in northern Bavaria, with FIDE-rated classical games, live boards, a €3,000 prize fund, and a strong local chess tradition.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $3,490
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Schachclub 1957 Bad Königshofen e.V. is an established chess club based in Bad Königshofen im Grabfeld, Bavaria, Germany. The club was founded in 1957 and has become one of the most recognizable chess organizations in Lower Franconia. It supports over-the-board chess, youth training, adult club play, team competition, and open tournament organization.
The club’s regular playing venue is the Bullaugenraum at FrankenTherme Bad Königshofen. Children and young players usually meet on Friday evenings before the adult club session starts later the same evening. This weekly structure gives local players a clear rhythm for training, casual games, and competitive preparation.
Schachclub 1957 Bad Königshofen e.V. is especially known for its strong women’s team. The club competes in the Women’s Chess Bundesliga and has won the German women’s team championship several times. This gives the organizer a rare profile: it combines a local club atmosphere with national-level team success.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
Schachclub 1957 Bad Königshofen e.V. organizes and supports a broad range of chess activity. Its program includes club evenings, youth chess, team matches, regional competition, and open tournaments. The club also maintains several teams, which gives members regular match practice across different levels.
The club is best known publicly for the Bad Königshofen OPEN, a traditional year-end tournament held at FrankenTherme. The event attracts players to Bad Königshofen for classical chess, rating opportunities, and a strong tournament atmosphere between Christmas and New Year. The 2026 edition is scheduled as the 23rd Bad Königshofen OPEN.
Team chess is another major part of the club’s identity. The women’s team has competed at the highest German level and has brought national attention to Bad Königshofen. At the same time, the club’s men’s and local teams create playing opportunities for regular members. Therefore, the organizer serves both ambitious competitors and grassroots club players.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Players who join Schachclub 1957 Bad Königshofen e.V. can expect an active and friendly chess environment. The club offers a practical entry point for children, adults, beginners, club players, and experienced tournament competitors. Its regular Friday schedule makes participation simple for local members and visitors.
The club’s youth activity is one of its important strengths. Young players can learn the game, play training games, and move toward official tournaments step by step. Meanwhile, adult players can join club evenings, team matches, and the annual open tournament. This creates a balanced chess community with room for both learning and serious competition.
For players searching for chess in Bad Königshofen, chess tournaments in Bavaria, or a strong club in Lower Franconia, Schachclub 1957 Bad Königshofen e.V. offers a reliable regional option. Its mix of youth chess, Bundesliga-level women’s chess, team activity, club evenings, and the Bad Königshofen OPEN gives the organizer a clear and respected place in German chess.
Hotels Near the Venue
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