29th Open Chess Tournament & 14th Junior Chess Tournament
The 29th Open Chess Tournament & 14th Junior Chess Tournament takes place on May 2, 2026, in Halle, Belgium. This is a chess tournament in Halle, Belgium, in 2026.
De Zwarte Dame runs a one-day rapid event with two parallel competitions. The open tournament is FIDE Rapid rated and uses five rounds, while the junior tournament uses nine rounds for eligible young players.
The event combines a main open with a dedicated junior section in the new city hall of Halle. It offers a practical schedule, an accessible central venue, and a clear format for both experienced players and younger competitors.
🏁 Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | May 2, 2026 |
| Location | Halle, Belgium |
| Format | Two rapid tournaments played on the same day |
| Time control | Open: 30+0; Junior: 20+0 |
| Rating | Open tournament is FIDE Rapid rated |
| Sections | Open A, Open B, and Junior |
| Prize fund | EUR 800 (approx. USD 935) |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The open tournament uses five Swiss rounds with 30 minutes per player. It is homologated for FIDE Rapid rating, so players need FIDE affiliation to take part.
The junior tournament uses nine Swiss rounds with 20 minutes per player. Tie-breaks are Median Buchholz, Buchholz, and Sonneborn-Berger.
💰 Prize Fund
The confirmed total prize fund is EUR 800 (approx. USD 935).
♟️ Sections / Groups
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Open A | Open section grouped by rating within the main open tournament |
| Open B | Second open rating group within the main open tournament |
| Junior | For players born after 01-01-2006 and rated under 1500 |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| May 2, 2026 | 09:00 | Playing hall opens |
| May 2, 2026 | 10:45 | Opening of the tournament |
| May 2, 2026 | 11:00 | Start of round 1 for open and junior events |
| May 2, 2026 | 13:00 | Junior lunch break |
| May 2, 2026 | 13:15 | Open lunch break |
| May 2, 2026 | 14:00 | Open round 3 / Junior round 4 resumes |
| May 2, 2026 | 18:00 | Prize ceremony |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration deadline | Until April 29, 2026 |
| Registration method | Register via the official online form |
| Advance entry fee | EUR 10; DZD members EUR 5 |
| On-site entry fee | EUR 12; DZD members EUR 6 |
| Food & drinks | Sandwiches and drinks are available throughout the day |
👤 Organizer
De Zwarte Dame is a chess club in Halle for visually impaired players and supporters. The club has organized this annual May tournament alongside its regular club activities and interclub participation.
Phone: +32 497 89 82 76
Email: schaakkringdezwartedame@gmail.com
📍 Venue
New City Hall of Halle, Oudstrijdersplein 18, 1500 Halle, Belgium
The playing hall is on the third floor of the building. The venue keeps both sections in one central city location and offers a straightforward setup for a full day of rapid chess.
🚗 How to Get There
Use Oudstrijdersplein 18, 1500 Halle, in your navigation and plan to arrive early, because the hall opens at 09:00 and play starts late in the morning. Once inside, head to the third floor of the new city hall.
It is a practical one-day chess event for both open players and juniors in Halle.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $935
Venue on the Map
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