2nd Atahualpa International Chess Festival
2nd Atahualpa International Chess Festival takes place on September 22-27, 2026, in Quito, Ecuador. The festival includes classical, rapid, blitz, invitational, and norm-event categories at Hotel 6 de Diciembre.
This is a chess tournament in Quito, Ecuador, in 2026. Players can compete in a FIDE-rated chess tournament with international rating calculation, a strong field, and a listed prize fund of $12,000.
The festival program includes an international open, closed invitational activity, IM and GM norm tournament play, rapid chess, and blitz chess. In addition, the central hotel venue gives players a practical location in Quito.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | 2nd Atahualpa International Chess Festival |
| 📅 Dates | September 22-27, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Quito, Ecuador |
| 🏛️ Venue | Hotel 6 de Diciembre, Av. 6 de Diciembre N21-120 y Francisco Robles, Quito, Ecuador |
| ♟️ Format | Classical open, invitational, norm event, rapid, and blitz |
| ⭐ Rating | National and international rating calculation |
| 🔢 Rounds | International open: 9 rounds |
| ⏱️ Time control | Open: 60 minutes + 30 seconds; norm event: 90 minutes + 30 seconds; blitz: 3 minutes + 2 seconds; rapid: 8 minutes + 4 seconds |
| 💰 Prize fund | $12,000 |
| 🔗 Chess-Results | https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1404619.aspx?lan=1&flag=30&turdet=YES&SNode=S0 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The international open uses a 9-round Swiss system. Each player receives 60 minutes for the game, plus a 30-second increment per move.
The tournament counts for national and international rating calculation. Therefore, it gives players a useful classical chess tournament opportunity with official rating value.
The festival also includes an ITT norm tournament with a classical 90 minutes + 30 seconds time control. This category targets IM and GM norm opportunities.
The blitz event uses 3 minutes + 2 seconds per move. Meanwhile, the rapid event uses 8 minutes + 4 seconds per move.
💰 Prize Fund
The listed total prize fund is $12,000.
Prize Fund Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total listed prizes | $12,000 |
| Currency | US dollars |
| Included festival formats | Classical, rapid, blitz, invitational, and norm-event categories |
The published flyer does not show a detailed prize breakdown by place or section. Therefore, players should confirm the final prize table with the organizer before the festival starts.
🧩 Sections / Groups
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Closed invitational | By invitation |
| International open | Open classical tournament |
| ITT norm event | Valid for IM and GM norm opportunities |
| Blitz IRT | Open blitz category |
| Rapid IRT | Open rapid category |
The festival offers several paths for different players. As a result, participants should confirm the correct category before registration.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 22–27, 2026 | 2nd Atahualpa International Chess Festival |
| September 22–27, 2026 | International open and festival categories |
The detailed round-by-round schedule is not listed in the available flyer. However, the Chess-Results event confirms the international open dates from September 22 to 27, 2026.
📝 Registration
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Registration / information email | fundacionnacionalecuatoriana@gmail.com |
| Registration phone | +593 96 125 5058 |
| Additional phone | +593 98 465 4152 |
| Payment options shown | Mastercard, Visa, Diners Club, and Discover |
| Installment note | Deferred payment options at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months |
Players should contact the organizer directly for entry confirmation, category selection, payment details, and any title or norm-event conditions.
🏛️ Organizer
Fundación Nacional Ecuatoriana organizes the 2nd Atahualpa International Chess Festival in Quito. The event brings together open tournament play, rapid and blitz competition, and norm-event opportunities in one international chess program.
Email: fundacionnacionalecuatoriana@gmail.com
Phone: +593 96 125 5058
📍 Venue
Hotel 6 de Diciembre, Av. 6 de Diciembre N21-120 y Francisco Robles, Quito, Ecuador
The tournament takes place at Hotel 6 de Diciembre in Quito. The venue is located in the La Mariscal area, close to central city services and transport options.
🚆 How to Get There
Players should use Hotel 6 de Diciembre, Av. 6 de Diciembre N21-120 y Francisco Robles, Quito, as the main navigation address.
Visitors arriving by air can travel through Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport. After arrival, they can continue to the hotel by taxi, airport transfer, rideshare, or private transport.
The 2nd Atahualpa International Chess Festival offers a broad chess program in Quito with rated classical play, rapid and blitz events, norm opportunities, and a major listed prize fund.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $12,000
Organizer
♟️ Organizer Identity
Fundación Nacional Ecuatoriana is a non-profit organization based in Quito, Ecuador. The foundation works across education, culture, recreation, sport, social development, and community support. Chess forms part of its wider educational and sports activity, with a clear focus on children, young players, families, and community participation. Its public work connects chess with personal development, discipline, learning, and social inclusion. In addition, the foundation has built visibility through the Atahualpa chess project, which brings national and international players to Quito. The organization also cooperates with Ecuadorian chess bodies and educational chess partners for major tournament activity. As a result, Fundación Nacional Ecuatoriana gives players a developing chess platform linked to both competition and broader social impact.
🏆 Tournament Portfolio
Fundación Nacional Ecuatoriana organizes the Atahualpa International Chess Festival in Quito. The 2026 edition includes the II Torneo Internacional Atahualpa and related festival activity for school-age players. The main international tournament runs from September 22 to 27, 2026, with a 9-round Swiss system and classical time control. A separate school tournament also appears in the 2026 program, creating a broader chess week for young players and international visitors. The festival follows the first Atahualpa edition from 2025, which included standard, rapid, blitz, simultaneous, and training activity. Therefore, the organizer offers more than a single open tournament. It builds a festival model that combines serious chess, youth participation, international contact, and a strong Quito setting.
🌱 Education, Youth Chess, and Community Activity
Fundación Nacional Ecuatoriana supports youth chess and community development through education-oriented projects and sports activity. Its chess work connects with the Escuela Nacional de Ajedrez ANAJ S.A., which helps bring structured chess learning into the festival environment. The foundation also promotes activities for children and young people as part of its wider mission in education and training. In chess, this approach gives juniors a chance to meet stronger players, take part in rated events, and experience international competition in Ecuador. Moreover, the Atahualpa festival helps raise the profile of Ecuadorian chess by attracting players from several federations. The event also creates opportunities for local players to compete without leaving the country. As a result, Fundación Nacional Ecuatoriana plays a useful role in linking chess education, tournament organization, and community-focused development in Quito.
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