24th Rochefort Chess Festival 2026
24th Rochefort Chess Festival returns to the Palais des Congrès (Colbert Hall) in Rochefort-sur-Mer, France from 14-20 February 2026. Two FIDE-rated classical opens run in parallel — Tournament A (+1900) and Tournament B (-2000, degressive accelerated system) — with nine rounds, professional arbitering, and a mid-week Blitz evening tournament.
📌 Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | 14 – 20 February 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Rochefort-sur-Mer, France |
| 🏟️ Venue | Palais des Congrès – Colbert Hall, 73 Rue Toufaire, 17300 Rochefort-sur-Mer (accessible) |
| 🏁 Tournament Type | FIDE-rated International Open (A & B) |
| 🧩 Tournament System | Swiss System |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | 9 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 min for 40 moves + 30 min to finish, with 30″ increment from move 1 |
| ⏰ Default Time | 15 minutes |
| 📵 Phones | No phones/tech in the playing hall (deposit possible) |
| 🤝 Draw Offers | Not before move 30 |
| 🏢 Organizer | Échiquier Rochefortais |
| 👤 Chief Arbiter | Dominique Dervieux (International Arbiter) |
| ✉️ Email | philippe.giambiasi@wanadoo.fr |
| ☎️ Phone | +33 6 79 66 85 12 |
| 💳 Payment (bank transfer) | IBAN FR76 1551 9390 7800 0207 2020 485 · BIC CMCIFR2A (Échiquier Rochefortais) |
💰 Prize Fund
Total Prize Fund: €10,000 (based on ~130 paying participants or 100% turnout; prizes are single and require presence at the ceremony).
Main Prizes (published amounts)
| Section | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tournament A (+1900) | €1,800 | €1,200 | €900 |
| Tournament B (-2000) | €400 | — | — |
Special prizes (both tournaments): Elo band prizes, Women, Veterans, Youth (amounts announced on site).
Side event: Mid-week Blitz with separate prizes.
🧩 Sections / Eligibility
| Section | Eligibility / Notes |
|---|---|
| Tournament A | FIDE Elo ≥1900 |
| Tournament B | FIDE Elo ≤1999 · Degressive accelerated pairing system |
Byes: Up to two ½-point byes are allowed, not in the last three rounds. Must be requested before the end of the previous round with the arbiter.
⏱️ Time Control & Tiebreaks
- Time Control: 90′/40 + 30′, +30″ from move 1 (all rounds)
- Default time: 15 minutes
- Other regulations: Standard FIDE Laws apply; local fair-play procedures posted in the hall.
📅 Schedule (local time)
| Day | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 14 Feb | Attendance control / Score check | 12:00 – 14:30 |
| Sat 14 Feb | Round 1 | 16:00 |
| Sun 15 Feb | Round 2 | 09:30 |
| Sun 15 Feb | Round 3 | 16:00 |
| Mon 16 Feb | Round 4 | 14:30 |
| Tue 17 Feb | Round 5 | 09:30 |
| Tue 17 Feb | Round 6 | 16:00 |
| Wed 18 Feb | Round 7 | 14:30 |
| Wed 18 Feb | Blitz Tournament | 20:30 |
| Thu 19 Feb | Round 8 | 14:30 |
| Fri 20 Feb | Round 9 | 09:30 |
| Fri 20 Feb | Awards & Closing Ceremony | 15:30 |
📝 Registration & Fees
- Entry Fees: Adults: €60 ( €55 if paid by 8 Feb 2026) · Youth: €30 ( €27 if paid by 8 Feb 2026)
- GM/IM: Free
- No on-site registration.
- How to register: Send completed entry details and bank transfer to the organizer; confirmation is issued upon receipt.
- Organizer’s postal address: Échiquier Rochefortais, 9 rue François Marceau, 17300 Rochefort-sur-Mer, France
- Contact: philippe.giambiasi@wanadoo.fr · +33 6 79 66 85 12
🏢 Organizer
Échiquier Rochefortais runs one of France’s best-known winter opens: a fair-play-focused festival with clear scheduling, attentive arbiting, and a friendly atmosphere in the historic spa town of Rochefort.
🏟️ Venue
Palais des Congrès – Colbert Hall, 73 Rue Toufaire, 17300 Rochefort-sur-Mer
Spacious hall with accessible facilities and comfortable analysis areas; awards ceremony held on site after Round 9.
🛏️ Accommodation
- Hotel Lafayette* (opposite the Palais des Congrès) — quote ECHECS for preferential festival rates (contact hotel directly).
- Additional hotels, guesthouses, and a youth hostel are available across Rochefort; early booking is advised during the festival week.
🚉 How to Get There
- By Air: Nearest airport La Rochelle – Île de Ré (LRH) with onward train/bus/taxi to Rochefort.
- By Rail: SNCF services to Gare de Rochefort, then a short local transfer to the Palais des Congrès.
- By Car: From A10/N137 follow signs to Rochefort-sur-Mer; public parking options near the venue.
Rochefort blends deep, thoughtful chess with the charm of France’s Atlantic coast: nine classical rounds, a lively mid-week blitz, and a hall full of ambition. Whether you’re chasing top-board prizes in A or building confidence in B, this festival is built to make every game count.