25ème Tournoi Rapide d’Echecs de Béthune
25ème Tournoi Rapide d’Echecs de Béthune takes place on May 14, 2026 in Béthune, France. This is a chess tournament in Béthune, France, in 2026. The event is a one-day rapid chess tournament with nine rounds, one main open section, and a time control of 12 minutes plus a 3-second increment from move one. The tournament is held at the Centre Sportif in the Quartier du 8-Ter, and the published information confirms a cash prize fund of about USD 130 based on the stated first prize.
Moreover, this chess tournament in Béthune gives players a compact Ascension Day event with official FIDE rapid rating, French rapid rating, and a practical local club venue. In addition, the 25ème Tournoi Rapide d’Echecs de Béthune is also presented as the Trophée Philippe Cieslak and includes additional prize categories for women, juniors, veterans, Elo groups, and CDJE 62. As a result, this chess event in Béthune is an appealing option for players who want a lively over-the-board chess tournament in northern France.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | May 14, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Béthune, France |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss tournament |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE Rapid rated and French rapid rated |
| 📂 Sections | 1 section |
| ⏱️ Time control | 12 minutes + 3-second increment from move 1 |
| 💳 Entry fee | Seniors: EUR 12; Youth: EUR 6 |
| 💰 Prize fund | USD 130 (approx.) |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Entry fee rises to EUR 15 for seniors and EUR 8 for youth on May 14, 2026 |
🏆 Prize Fund
The only clearly confirmed cash amount in the published material is the first prize of EUR 120. Additionally, the announcement confirms extra prizes for women, juniors, veterans, Elo categories, and CDJE 62, although it does not state their amounts.
| Prize category | Cash prizes |
|---|---|
| Main prize | 1st EUR 120 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a 9-round Swiss system. Each player receives 12 minutes for the game plus a 3-second increment from move one. Therefore, the event follows a straightforward rapid chess tournament format across one full day.
In addition, round 1 starts at 9:30 AM, and the pointage closes at 9:15 AM. Players who arrive late are paired from round 2. The event counts for both FIDE rapid rating and the French June 2026 rapid rating list.
📂 Sections / Groups
The tournament is played as one main open section.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 14, 2026 | Thursday | Until 9:15 AM | Pointage |
| May 14, 2026 | Thursday | 9:30 AM | Round 1 |
| May 14, 2026 | Thursday | Until 6:00 PM | Tournament day |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Register through the organizer |
| Entry fee | Seniors: EUR 12; Youth: EUR 6 |
| Late fee | Seniors: EUR 15; Youth: EUR 8 on May 14, 2026 |
| Special note | Late arrivals are paired from round 2 |
👥 Organizer
The Association Echéphile Béthunoise organizes this long-running rapid event in Béthune and continues to support active rated chess in the area. In addition, the club presents the tournament as the Trophée Philippe Cieslak and manages the one-day event schedule at its local sports venue.
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Address: 7, rue Achille Chatelet, 62199 Gosnay, France
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Email: philippe.damarez@orange.fr
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Phone: +33 6 73 91 25 12
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Website: http://www.bethunechess.fr
🏨 Venue
Centre Sportif, Quartier du 8-Ter, rue de l’Yser, Béthune, France
The tournament takes place at the Centre Sportif in the Quartier du 8-Ter in Béthune. Moreover, the playing site is located beside the club premises near Église Saint-Christophe. The single venue keeps the event practical and easy to follow throughout the day.
🚗 How to Get There
Players can travel to Béthune and then continue locally to the Centre Sportif in the Quartier du 8-Ter on rue de l’Yser. In addition, the venue sits next to the club location, which makes it easier to identify once in the area.
Enjoy a competitive day in Béthune and take part in a fast-paced rated rapid event with a long local tradition.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $130
Organizer
Association Echéphile Béthunoise is a long-established chess club and active tournament organizer based in Béthune, France. It has supported competitive over-the-board chess in the Pas-de-Calais area for decades. Moreover, the club has built a visible local identity through regular rated events and a stable presence in the regional chess community.
The organization runs club activity, weekend sessions, and recurring rapid chess and classical chess events for a wide range of players. In addition, it is known for the Béthune International Open and the Trophée Philippe Cieslak, the rapid event linked to your prompt. As a result, Association Echéphile Béthunoise remains a reliable chess organizer for players seeking structured FIDE-rated tournaments and local competition in northern France.
The club also supports junior chess and regular member activity at its Béthune venue. Furthermore, its long tournament tradition strengthens its role as a recognized local chess club with steady community impact. Therefore, it continues to connect experienced players, young competitors, and visiting participants through practical and well-established chess events.
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