30. Internationales Raiffeisen Schach-Open Ratten 2026
Set in the Joglland hills of Styria, the 30. Internationales Raiffeisen Schach-Open Ratten 2026 takes place 14–17 May 2026 in Ratten, Austria, gathering professionals, club players and ambitious juniors for a friendly yet competitive long weekend of chess. The festival runs three rating-based classical tournaments (A/B/C), each over five rounds at a thoughtful FIDE cadence, plus a FIDE-rated blitz on Saturday evening.
Staged in the modern Veranstaltungshalle of the Freizeitzentrum Ratten, the Open offers clear eligibility bands, simple online/email entry, and a transparent prize structure with both overall prizes and category awards. Players benefit from a central village location, easy logistics, and a welcoming organising team that has grown this event into one of Styria’s most popular spring opens.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | 14–17 May 2026 (Thu–Sun) |
| 📍 Location | Veranstaltungshalle Ratten (Freizeitzentrum Ratten) |
| 🏠 Address | Kirchenviertel 156, 8673 Ratten, Austria |
| ♟️ Format | 3 classical tournaments (A / B / C), each 5-round Swiss |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 min/40 moves + 30 min, with +30″/move from move 1 |
| ⭐ Rating | A-Open: FIDE & AUT rated • B-Open/C-Open: AUT rated |
| ✅ Eligibility | A: Open to all with FIDE ID • B: Elo <2000 • C: Elo <1750 |
| 🕰️ Default/Forfeit | 30 minutes (Kontumazzeit) |
| 💵 Entry Fees | A: €50 (U18: €40; players <1900: €60) • B: €45 (U18: €35) • C: €40 (U18: €30) |
| ⚡ Side Event | Blitz tournament (FIDE Blitz rated) on Sat, 16 May, 20:00; fee €15 (100% to prize fund) |
| 🧾 Notes | One-prize rule (non-cumulative). All players need an ÖSB Personennummer (ID) before start. |
🏆 Prize Fund
A-Open (overall)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €500 |
| 2nd | €350 |
| 3rd | €250 |
| 4th | €150 |
| 5th | €100 |
A-Open category prizes (each): U18 • ≤2150 • Best Senior • Best Woman — €80.
B-Open (Elo <2000)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €300 |
| 2nd | €200 |
| 3rd | €150 |
B-Open category prizes (each): U18 • ≤1850 • Best Senior • Best Woman — €70.
C-Open (Elo <1750)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €200 |
| 2nd | €150 |
| 3rd | €100 |
C-Open category prizes (each): U18 • ≤1600 • Best Senior • Best Woman — €40.
Junior cups & goods (1st–3rd): U14 • U12 • U10 • U8.
Category prizes guaranteed with ≥3 entrants per category; presented only at the prize-giving. One prize per player.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
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Cadence: 90′/40 moves + 30′ to finish, +30″ from move 1.
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System: Swiss (5 rounds) using Swiss-Manager.
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Ratings: A-Open sent to FIDE & AUT; B/C to AUT list.
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Tie-breaks: Buchholz (–1 lowest) followed by additional standard tie-breaks as announced.
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Fair-play: Alcohol, smoking and mobile phones are prohibited in the playing hall.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| A-Open | Open to all players with FIDE ID | FIDE & AUT |
| B-Open | Players with Elo <2000 | AUT |
| C-Open | Players with Elo <1750 | AUT |
| Blitz (Sat 20:00) | Open (FIDE Blitz rating) | FIDE Blitz |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, 14 May 2026 | 09:30 | On-site check-in & payment deadline |
| Thu, 14 May 2026 | 09:45 | Opening |
| Thu, 14 May 2026 | 10:00 | Round 1 |
| Thu, 14 May 2026 | 17:00 | Round 2 |
| Fri, 15 May 2026 | 18:00 | Round 3 |
| Sat, 16 May 2026 | 14:00 | Round 4 |
| Sat, 16 May 2026 | 20:00 | Blitz tournament (FIDE Blitz rated) |
| Sun, 17 May 2026 | 10:00 | Round 5 |
| Sun, 17 May 2026 | 30 min after last game | Prize-giving & raffle (largest club group wins a gift basket) |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Deadline | Wed, 13 May 2026 — 18:00 (late entries not accepted) |
| How to Enter | Email f.krassnitzer@gmx.at or call +43 664 54 23 939 (include name, Elo, federation, chosen group A/B/C) |
| Payment | Bank transfer to IBAN: AT32 3802 3000 0500 6408 (Recipient: Schachturnier Ratten; Reference: Name + A/B/C) |
| Check-in | In-person verification on Thu 14 May, 09:30 at the venue |
| Player IDs | All players must have an ÖSB Personennummer (ID); A-Open requires a FIDE ID |
| One-Prize Rule | Players receive only their single highest prize |
👥 Organizer
The Open is organised by Schachverein Horn Union Ratten, a community-driven club in the Weiz district of Styria, with long-standing support from local partners and Raiffeisen. The team manages entries, arbiting, venue setup and communications for a smooth tournament experience.
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Email: info@horn-union-ratten.at
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Phone (entries): +43 664 54 23 939
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Website: https://www.horn-union-ratten.at
🏨 Venue
Veranstaltungshalle Ratten (Freizeitzentrum Ratten)
Kirchenviertel 156, 8673 Ratten, Austria
A modern sports and events hall with bright playing space and foyer inside Ratten’s Freizeitzentrum complex—walkable in the village centre with parking and nearby amenities.
🛎️ Accommodation
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The organiser provides lodging pointers via the club website; book early for the Ascension-weekend dates.
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Options range from guesthouses and family hotels in Ratten and surrounding Joglland villages.
🚗 How to Get There
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Car: Drive to Kirchenviertel 156, 8673 Ratten; parking available near the Freizeitzentrum.
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Public transport: Regional buses connect the Joglland area; plan extra time for the Thursday morning check-in.
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Local mobility: The regional on-demand SAM Sammeltaxi service operates in Oststeiermark (booking required in advance).
Bring your best spring form to Styria—clear schedules, fair prizes and a welcoming atmosphere await at the Ratten Open 2026.
Organizer
Schachverein Horn Union Ratten is an Austrian chess club and local tournament organizer based in Ratten, Styria, Austria. Over the years, the club has become closely associated with one of the region’s most consistent annual open events. As a result, it is recognized for structured planning, clear regulations, and dependable round management.
In addition, the club runs the International Raiffeisen Schach-Open Ratten, including the 30th edition in May 2026. The event is designed as a multi-section open chess tournament with A, B, and C groups, plus a separate blitz chess competition. Moreover, the main groups are played as classical chess and are submitted for FIDE-rated tournament processing where applicable.
Furthermore, Horn Union Ratten emphasizes fair play and a calm playing hall environment. For example, the tournament regulations include strict rules on phones and conduct, which supports focused competition. Consequently, the event attracts ambitious juniors, improving club players, and experienced visitors looking for serious weekend chess in rural Styria.
