The 2nd Trophée des Rois de Dijon 2027 takes place on Saturday and Sunday, January 2–3, 2027, in Dijon, France. Organized by Esbarres Bonnencontre Echecs, the second edition brings a FIDE-rated classical chess tournament to L’Essentiel-le — Maison Castelnau in the Grésilles neighborhood. The playing hall is located at 11 Rue Castelnau, 21000 Dijon, and welcomes players for a full weekend of competitive chess. The event offers five Swiss-system rounds in a single open field, with an advertised prize fund of €800, subject to the organizer’s participation condition.

Every competitor receives 60 minutes for the game plus a 30-second increment per move. The tournament counts toward FIDE Standard Elo and is approved by the French Chess Federation (FFE). Participants need a valid FFE Licence A, while the organizer offers registration packages that include upgrading or obtaining the required license. The event is limited to 100 players. In addition to the main classification, the organizers plan prizes for rating bands, junior players, women, and veteran categories, although these are not separate playing sections.

Saturday begins with check-in at 8:30 AM and the first round at 10:00 AM. Three games follow that day, with the other two on Sunday and an awards presentation scheduled for approximately 6:00 PM. For visitors, Dijon offers direct railway connections to Paris and other French destinations, while the tournament venue is served by the city’s T1 tram and several local buses. Below are the verified tournament conditions, entry information, hotels, directions to Maison Castelnau, and the most useful official links for planning a January chess trip.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament is played over five rounds using the Swiss pairing system. Each player starts with 60 minutes for the entire game and receives a 30-second increment from move one. This is an increment rather than a delay: the clock adds the extra 30 seconds after each completed move. Therefore, players can plan for classical competition, with substantial thinking time compared with rapid chess.

The event is officially registered with the French Chess Federation (FFE) and its games contribute to FIDE Standard Elo. The federation lists the results for the February 2027 FIDE rating calculation. Chief arbiter Mickaël Boileau supervises the tournament. As a result, entrants should have the required membership and identification information ready for the organizer’s entry process.

Both Saturday and Sunday include published individual round start times. In particular, the third round is scheduled for 5:30 PM on Saturday, while Sunday’s final round begins at 2:00 PM. Players should avoid leaving the venue immediately after an early game without checking the posted pairings. All times refer to Dijon local time, Central European Time (UTC+1).

🏆 Prize Fund

According to the official FFE listing, the tournament announces a total prize fund of €800 (approximately $910). The tournament organizer states that the prizes are guaranteed when at least 80 players participate. The three published overall prizes total €450; additional awards are planned for Elo categories, veterans, juniors, and female players. The exact distribution of the remaining category awards follows the organizer’s prize announcement.

The overall prize amounts above come from the French federation’s official 2027 event listing. Moreover, the organizer’s HelloAsso registration page explicitly mentions rating-based, veteran, youth, and women’s prizes. These are award categories within the same Open; they do not imply separate tournaments or a second set of pairings. For final award eligibility, consult the organizer’s official announcements and instructions at the awards presentation.

The advertised monetary equivalent uses the November 4, 2026 European Central Bank reference rate of €1 = $1.1267 and rounds the €800 total upward to the nearest $10. This amount is a currency reference rather than a separate U.S.-dollar cash prize offered by the tournament.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The 2nd Trophée des Rois de Dijon consists of one FIDE-rated classical Open. Participants of different strengths take part in the same five-round Swiss tournament. The organizer does not advertise separate Open A, Open B, or U1600 playing groups for this edition. Therefore, registered players compete within one overall classification, subject to the applicable competition rules.

All entrants need an FFE Licence A, even when they are not currently registered as French club players. The registration page provides fee packages for adults and juniors who need to upgrade a Licence B or obtain a new Licence A. Prospective international participants should confirm their membership and FIDE identification arrangements before submitting an entry.

📅 Schedule

The tournament is held over Saturday, January 2, and Sunday, January 3, 2027. On the first day, players can check in at Maison Castelnau from 8:30 to 9:45 AM before the 10:00 AM opening round. A total of three rounds are scheduled for Saturday and two for Sunday. The organizer anticipates an awards ceremony at approximately 6:00 PM on Sunday.

Every time above comes from the federation’s event listing or the organizer’s tournament page. Because games use a classical clock, finishing times can vary and should not be inferred from the scheduled start of the following round. Meanwhile, a refreshment stand and food service are planned on site throughout the weekend, helping players organize meals between games.

Those traveling from outside Dijon should arrive with enough time to complete Saturday’s check-in. Sunday travelers who hope to receive a prize should avoid departures that conflict with the planned awards ceremony. Verify any final changes on the organizer’s website before making the trip.

📝 Registration

Esbarres Bonnencontre Echecs accepts entries through its official HelloAsso tournament registration page. The organizer has announced that online ticket sales begin Monday, November 30, 2026. Participants must hold a valid FFE Licence A; the registration service offers packages for players who already have the license and for those who need a license upgrade or a new license.

Registration is limited to 100 players. As a result, entrants should use the official registration page rather than assume a place is reserved through an informal inquiry. Check-in on Saturday, January 2, from 8:30 to 9:45 AM remains an important step even after completing online entry.

📨 Registration and FFE Membership

Choose the tariff that matches your current French Chess Federation license. A player with a valid Licence A pays the published standard adult or junior entry fee. By contrast, a player holding only Licence B must use the package that includes the upgrade, while those without an FFE license can select a package that includes obtaining one. These are total registration package amounts, not additional charges on top of the amounts listed for the same category.

The organizer’s official notice also explains that a paid entrant who does not attend without notifying the organizers in advance is not entitled to a refund and may still appear in the first-round pairings. Therefore, players unable to travel should contact the association promptly. For questions, use esbarresbonnencontreechecs@gmail.com or the contact facility on the official registration page.

🏛️ Organizer

Esbarres Bonnencontre Echecs is an established chess organization in Côte-d’Or, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. Founded in 1995 by Joffrey Lardeau and Mickaël Boileau, it developed into a formally structured association in 1999. The club now operates through three local branches in Esbarres, Bonnencontre, and Chevigny-Saint-Sauveur, offering training and competitive opportunities for beginners, juniors, and adult players.

The association has a substantial history in French team chess. Its leading team reached Nationale 4 in 2002 and Nationale 3 in 2007, later advancing to higher national divisions. Today, the club promotes league participation, youth instruction, and regional events in several municipalities. The Trophée des Rois is part of a wider calendar that includes classical, rapid, and blitz competitions.

For this tournament, the French Chess Federation identifies Mickaël Boileau as chief arbiter. Entry is handled through the club’s HelloAsso system. Find the association’s history and activities in its MyChess.Events organizer profile or visit the official Esbarres Bonnencontre Echecs website.

📍 Venue

L’Essentiel-le — Maison Castelnau, 11 Rue Castelnau, 21000 Dijon, Côte-d’Or, France.

The tournament takes place at L’Essentiel-le, specifically its Maison Castelnau community and activities building at 11 Rue Castelnau. The site is in the Grésilles neighborhood of Dijon. The organization operates several different community spaces, so visiting players should use Maison Castelnau at number 11 rather than the separate Espace York or Espace Galilée addresses.

According to the venue’s official address and transport guide, Maison Castelnau contains activity and sports rooms, a community café, and offices for the host institution. It serves a broad range of social, cultural, and community activities. The tournament’s organizers also advertise on-site refreshments and food service throughout the weekend, which can be useful during the relatively short breaks between games.

The venue’s official access guide identifies nearby Castelnau bus stops and the Grésilles Trimolet T1 tram stop. The City of Dijon separately confirms that L’Essentiel-le operates at 11 Rue Castelnau, 21000 Dijon. Players using maps should select this exact building rather than a similarly named restaurant in central Dijon.

🏨 Accommodation

Chess players traveling to Dijon for the January 2–3, 2027 weekend can stay in the Clémenceau / Palais des Congrès district, which offers hotel accommodation and connections on tram line T1. The actual playing venue is at Maison Castelnau in the Grésilles neighborhood, so it is worth checking the last stage of the trip before booking. The following three hotels have verified addresses and official reservation websites; room prices and cancellation conditions should be checked directly for the tournament dates.

🏨 Campanile Dijon Congrès Clémenceau

16 Avenue Raymond Poincaré, 21000 Dijon, France. Campanile Dijon Congrès Clémenceau is a practical base near the Palais des Congrès and the Poincaré tram stop on line T1. The property’s official website lists 90 rooms, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, breakfast, a reception desk, and parking. It also describes the tram connection from Dijon railway station to Poincaré.

The nearby T1 line continues toward Grésilles Trimolet, where visitors can continue to the Castelnau area using the venue’s published local routes. Travelers seeking straightforward tram access without staying in the historic center may find this location particularly convenient. Check the hotel’s official booking page for New Year room availability, parking conditions, and the current cancellation policy.

🏨 ibis Dijon Centre Clémenceau

2 Avenue de Marbotte, 21000 Dijon, France. The ibis Dijon Centre Clémenceau is an Accor property in Dijon, with air-conditioned rooms, Wi-Fi, a bar, and an on-site parking option. Its published hotel address and public-transport access make it another possibility for players wishing to stay near the Clémenceau and convention district.

Before the 10:00 AM rounds, visitors can plan their connection on the T1 tram or consider a taxi directly to L’Essentiel-le. The hotel’s official Accor website confirms the Marbotte address, amenities, and direct booking facilities. For those staying only Saturday night, verify checkout arrangements against the final Sunday round and awards ceremony.

🏨 Mercure Dijon Centre Clémenceau

22 Boulevard de la Marne, 21000 Dijon, France. Mercure Dijon Centre Clémenceau offers a four-star alternative close to the Auditorium tram stop. Its official listing highlights a restaurant, bar, garden terrace, heated swimming pool, and covered parking. Moreover, the hotel has direct access to the wider city transport network and central Dijon.

The T1 tram provides a route toward Grésilles Trimolet, followed by the final approach to Maison Castelnau. This is a separate hotel from the tournament venue, so guests should not assume they can walk straight from their room to the chess hall. Compare accommodation prices and breakfast availability for the January weekend through the hotel’s official Accor booking page.

Since the tournament begins on Saturday, January 2, at 10:00 AM, arriving the preceding evening may be convenient for players traveling from farther away. All three properties are hotel alternatives rather than official tournament room blocks. Reserve directly with the hotel for the dates required, then check the route to 11 Rue Castelnau and allow time for Saturday morning check-in.

🚆 How to Get There

L’Essentiel-le — Maison Castelnau, 11 Rue Castelnau, 21000 Dijon, Côte-d’Or, France. Maison Castelnau is in Dijon’s Grésilles district, east of the main railway station and historic center. Visitors can use the T1 tram, local buses, a taxi, or a car. The following guidance relies on official venue information and transport resources; check schedules again before the January 2027 weekend.

🚉 From Dijon Railway Station (Gare de Dijon-Ville)

Dijon-Ville is the city’s principal train station. From the station, board tram line T1 toward Quetigny Centre and leave at Grésilles Trimolet. Published journey information places the tram ride at around 11 minutes on typical services. Continue toward Rue Castelnau and Maison Castelnau, using the venue’s local directions or a connecting bus when appropriate.

The destination is not directly outside the tram stop, so allow time for the final walk. Travelers with heavy luggage may prefer a taxi from the station or hotel. For railway tickets and current intercity services, consult SNCF Connect; for city transport, consult DiviaMobilités. Avoid searching for an unrelated business named L’Essentiel elsewhere in Dijon.

🚋 By Tram — T1 Grésilles Trimolet

Tram T1 connects Dijon station, République, Auditorium, Poincaré, and Grésilles Trimolet with eastern Dijon. The venue’s published information names Grésilles Trimolet as its tram stop. After alighting, follow pedestrian directions toward 11 Rue Castelnau. This route can suit players staying near the Palais des Congrès or central Dijon as well as those arriving by train.

The city transport network also maintains the Grésilles Trimolet station with connections to nearby buses. Weekend schedules may differ from weekday timetables, particularly immediately after New Year’s Day. Therefore, check the official tram departure information and accessible entrance routes before leaving for the venue.

🚌 By Bus — Castelnau and Nearby Stops

The venue’s official access page lists bus L8, B19, and F43 at Castelnau. It also identifies L3 at Seguin and the COROL service at Billardon, Laplace, or Boutaric as additional approaches. Travelers can select the stop that best matches their hotel or rail connection, then walk to Maison Castelnau.

For this tournament, Castelnau is especially useful because it identifies the stop associated with the venue’s street. The city’s DiviaMobilités network publishes current maps and timetables. On the tournament weekend, check service frequency before traveling for the 8:30 AM Saturday check-in or 10:00 AM Sunday round.

🚄 By Long-Distance Train — Paris and Other French Cities

Dijon has major railway links to Paris and several destinations in eastern France. SNCF Connect publishes direct high-speed services between Paris Gare de Lyon and Dijon-Ville; the fastest published journeys can take approximately 1 hour 36 minutes. As a result, players arriving through Paris can use intercity rail rather than relying on a car for the entire journey.

Travelers should book services that allow enough time for arrival, local transport, and Saturday check-in. From Dijon-Ville, continue on T1 as described above. Those entering France through another major railway city should use SNCF’s timetable and route planner for their exact dates.

✈️ Arriving by Air

International visitors can consider flying to a major French airport and completing the journey to Dijon by rail. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport offers a wide choice of international connections, with onward travel through the Paris rail network. Depending on the itinerary, travelers may need to transfer to Paris Gare de Lyon for a train to Dijon-Ville.

Because flight times, airport transfers, and rail schedules vary by route, plan the full door-to-door journey before buying tickets. Once in Dijon, the T1 tram and local buses provide the final connections toward Maison Castelnau.

🚗 By Car and Parking

Drivers should use 11 Rue Castelnau, 21000 Dijon as their destination. The neighborhood has public streets and parking areas, and the venue’s tournament page refers to parking options nearby. However, parking spaces should not be assumed to be reserved for chess players. Check local restrictions, accessibility, and any applicable parking charges before leaving a vehicle for several hours.

The City of Dijon’s public information about the Grésilles neighborhood identifies parking spaces on Rue Castelnau. Nevertheless, temporary local restrictions may apply. Allow additional time to find a legal space and to walk to the correct entrance, especially ahead of the Saturday 9:45 AM check-in cutoff.

🕒 Arrival and Departure Planning

The tournament check-in runs Saturday, January 2, from 8:30–9:45 AM; Round 1 begins at 10:00 AM. Saturday’s last scheduled round starts at 5:30 PM, and Sunday’s final round begins at 2:00 PM. The organizer plans the awards presentation for approximately 6:00 PM on Sunday, January 3. Therefore, players should not book a return departure that assumes all games or the ceremony will finish early.

ℹ️ Other Information

📜 Tournament History

The 2027 event is the second Trophée des Rois de Dijon organized by Esbarres Bonnencontre Echecs. The first edition took place on January 3–4, 2026. Contemporary tournament summaries report 66 participants, with Grégory Charmier taking first place. This historical context helps explain the tournament’s continuation, although the 2027 entry conditions and prize structure are governed by the new official announcement.

🪪 FFE Licence A and Entry Requirements

A valid French Chess Federation Licence A is mandatory for this classical tournament. The HelloAsso registration service provides packages for holders of Licence A, holders of Licence B who need an upgrade, and participants who need to obtain a license. These options allow entrants to select the correct total charge rather than paying the standard fee without the required membership.

👥 Capacity, Attendance, and Refund Rules

The organizer limits the competition to 100 players. Check-in takes place before the first round, and a player who has paid but does not attend without notifying the organizers cannot claim a refund under the published HelloAsso conditions. In addition, the organizer may still include that player in the first-round pairings. Entrants should contact the club as soon as their plans change.

☕ Food, Refreshments, and Prize Conditions

The organizer advertises refreshments and food on site for the weekend. The announced €800 cash fund is guaranteed once at least 80 participants enter. Besides the overall podium, additional awards are planned for Elo groups, juniors, women, and veteran players. These prizes are based on the event’s final classification and the organizer’s published conditions.

🔗 Useful Official Links