The 35th International Open Feffernitz 2026 will take place from August 15 to 22, 2026, at Gemeinschaftshaus Feistritz/Drau in Carinthia, Austria. The tournament forms part of the 35th Kärntner Schachsommer and features nine rounds of classical chess.

The main Open welcomes players of all rating levels. In addition, the program includes the 24th International Youth Open for U16 players and the 28th International Drautalbank Blitz Tournament on the evening before the classical event.

The confirmed cash prize fund totals €4,520 / approximately $5,170. Moreover, the organizer will award trophies, prizes in kind, tournament entry exemptions, and additional prizes throughout the festival.

🗓️ Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The Main Open and Youth Open each use a nine-round Swiss System.

Each player receives 90 minutes for the first 40 moves. After move 40, each player receives another 30 minutes for the rest of the game. A 30-second increment applies from move one.

The default time is 30 minutes. Therefore, a player who arrives more than 30 minutes after the scheduled start may lose the game by forfeit.

The Drautalbank Blitz Tournament also uses a nine-round Swiss System. Each player receives three minutes for the game, plus a two-second increment after every move.

Playing Conditions

All participants in the Main Open and Blitz Tournament must hold a valid FIDE ID.

Players without an Austrian player ID must complete the required registration form and present proof of identity.

Main Open and Blitz Tie-Breaks

Youth Open Tie-Breaks

🏆 Prize Fund

The tournament offers a confirmed cash prize fund of €4,520 / approximately $5,170.

The Main Open awards €4,300 in general, rating-category, and special prizes. In addition, the Family Team Competition awards €220.

Prizes are not shared. Furthermore, each player may receive only one individual cash prize.

Main Open – Overall Prizes

Main Open – Rating Category Prizes

Main Open – Special Prizes

Family Team Competition

A family team consists of two related participants. Eligible combinations include parents and children, siblings, cousins, grandparents and grandchildren, or partners.

The team whose two players achieve the highest combined score wins the competition.

Additional Awards

The Youth Open awards trophies to the top three players in the U8, U10, U12, U14, and U16 categories.

The Drautalbank Blitz Tournament awards prizes in kind, honorary prizes, and free entry to selected organizer events. Awards include the overall winner, the best U20 player, and the best player rated below 2000.

Cash prizes are paid only to players who attend the awards ceremony. Players remain responsible for any applicable taxation of their winnings.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The festival includes three competitions.

Main Open

The Main Open welcomes national and international players of all rating levels. It consists of nine classical rounds and counts for FIDE international rating and national DWZ rating.

International Youth Open

The 24th International Youth Open is available to players born in 2010 or later who have a maximum Elo rating of 1600.

All participants compete in one nine-round tournament. However, the organizer presents separate awards in the U8, U10, U12, U14, and U16 age categories.

Drautalbank Blitz Tournament

The 28th International Drautalbank Blitz Tournament takes place on Friday evening before the Main Open. It features nine rounds at a time control of 3 minutes plus 2 seconds per move.

📅 Schedule

The awards ceremony will begin immediately after the final round. Prize winners must attend to receive their cash awards.

📝 Registration

Players must register by email and provide their full name, chess club, Elo rating, and FIDE ID.

Only players whose entry fees have been paid by 18:00 on August 15, 2026, will be included in the first-round pairings.

Registration Details

Entry Fees

Players should complete their payment before the registration deadline. The organizer will pair only players whose fees have arrived by the deadline.

👥 Organizer

SV Raika Rapid Feffernitz organizes the 35th International Open Feffernitz 2026.

Helmut Löscher serves as Tournament Director. IA Hannes Tscharnuter serves as Chief Arbiter, while RS Noah Tscharnuter supports the arbiter team.

📍 Venue

Gemeinschaftshaus Feistritz/Drau – Villacher Straße 250, 9710 Feistritz an der Drau, Austria.

The community hall hosts the Main Open, Youth Open, Drautalbank Blitz Tournament, attendance confirmation, and final awards ceremony.

Players should arrive before the attendance check closes at 18:00 on August 15.

🚆 How to Get There

Feistritz an der Drau is located in Carinthia between Villach and Spittal an der Drau.

Players travelling by train can use Paternion-Feistritz railway station and continue to the venue by local transport, taxi, or on foot, depending on their luggage and travel arrangements.

Regional bus services also serve Feistritz an der Drau. Drivers should use the complete venue address on Villacher Straße and allow sufficient time for attendance confirmation before Round 1.

ℹ️ Other

Electronic devices are strictly prohibited inside the tournament hall. Players must leave phones, smartwatches, and other electronic equipment outside the playing area.

The organizer may publish tournament results, games, ratings, and event photographs. Registration confirms acceptance of these playing conditions.

Prizes in kind will be raffled among participants before individual rounds. The additional festival program also includes a guided hike and a gift basket raffle.

Players and accompanying persons receive free admission to the municipal swimming pool during the Open.

A barbecue will take place between the two Sunday rounds from 14:00. A voucher for one portion and one drink costs €13 and can be purchased during attendance confirmation.

All participants remain responsible for their personal insurance and for complying with the tournament rules.