The 37th Staufer-Open 2027 – A-Open & B-Open takes place from January 2–6, 2027, in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Organized by Schachgemeinschaft Schwäbisch Gmünd 1872 e.V., this established New Year tournament features two nine-round classical Swiss competitions at the Congress-Centrum Stadtgarten, Peter-Parler-Saal. The playing venue stands at Rektor-Klaus-Straße 9, 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd, within walking distance of the railway station and the historic town center. In addition, both sections count toward FIDE Standard and German DWZ ratings.

For example, players can enter A-Open if their relevant DWZ or Elo is at least 1800, while B-Open accepts players below 2000. The published bands overlap between 1800 and 1999, so entrants in that range should choose and confirm their intended group with the organizer. Furthermore, each competition uses 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by an additional 30 minutes, with a 30-second increment from move one. Consequently, the combined entry cap of 620 players makes advance registration especially important. Meanwhile, a separately regulated New Year blitz competition precedes the classical tournament on January 1.

The fixed monetary awards published for A-Open, B-Open, six rating classifications and German club team prizes sum to €8,220, or approximately US$9,150 at the October 29, 2026 exchange rate. The organizer guarantees the main first prize in each section, while the remaining fixed prizes depend on a minimum combined turnout of 200 players. Additionally, women’s, seniors’, junior and regional awards depend on participation and have no announced fixed euro amounts. This guide separates those financial conditions from guaranteed awards and brings together the full nine-round schedule, registration costs, hotel suggestions and venue directions.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

A-Open and B-Open each have nine rounds of classical chess using independent Swiss pairings generated by the Swiss-Chess software. In A-Open the organizer applies the FIDE Baku acceleration method, which adjusts early-round pairings in a large and potentially uneven-strength field. The two groups are not combined for individual results, although certain club-team prizes consider results from both sections.

In particular, the clock has two stages. Each player begins with 90 minutes to make the first 40 moves. After completing the required move count, the clock adds another 30 minutes for the remainder of the game. A 30-second increment applies from the first move and continues throughout both stages. Players unfamiliar with this format should understand that the second time allotment starts only after move 40; it is not an automatic bonus at a specific wall-clock time.

Baku Acceleration in A-Open

For example, a large classical Open can include players with widely different ratings. In fact, the Baku acceleration method is a recognized Swiss-pairing approach that changes early pairings to avoid an extended sequence of highly uneven matches at the top of the field. However, it does not turn A-Open into an invitational or eliminate players after a loss. Instead, competitors still contest nine rounds, with the final standings determined by the announced scoring and tie-break rules.

Meanwhile, B-Open follows its own nine-round Swiss schedule and does not use a separate acceleration rule in the published notice. For clarity, participants can check their specific event list on Chess-Results rather than using the other group’s standings. A-Open has its own Chess-Results record, while B-Open’s record separately identifies entrants and publishes tournament information.

Tie-Breaks and Rating Calculation

For tied scores, the organizer ranks players using Buchholz Cut 1 with FIDE rating-list corrections, excluding the lowest opponent-score contribution. Consequently, this can affect the order of players finishing on equal game points, particularly in the middle of a nine-round field. However, the result of a direct encounter does not appear as a higher-priority criterion than the stated Buchholz system.

Both competition groups count toward FIDE Standard and German DWZ evaluation, when the event follows the applicable rules. International participants should therefore verify their federation and rating details during registration. A national DWZ number is especially relevant to the separate rating-group prizes, which exclude competitors who have neither DWZ nor Elo according to the announced rules.

🏆 Prize Fund

The published prize tables define €8,220 in fixed cash awards for the two classical Opens, their rating classifications, and German club team competitions. At the October 29, 2026 reference rate of approximately EUR 1 = USD 1.1130, this is about US$9,150. Consequently, this total represents listed awards rather than an unconditional guarantee at every turnout. The organizer guarantees the first prizes in A-Open and B-Open; the organizer guarantees other fixed awards only when the overall event reaches 200 participants.

Organizers may also offer women’s, seniors’, junior, school-student and regional awards, but their amounts depend on participation and lack fixed amounts in the official prospectus. Therefore, those additional awards do not count toward the fixed total. Likewise, the separate January 1 blitz event has its own conditional prizes and must remain separate from the classical tournament’s prize fund.

A-Open — Overall Prizes

B-Open — Overall Prizes

Rating and German Club Team Awards

Specifically, the overall awards total €4,950 in A-Open and €1,500 in B-Open. In addition, the six two-place rating categories each contribute €175, adding €1,050. Finally, adult club-team awards contribute €520 and junior-team awards contribute €200. Therefore, €4,950 + €1,500 + €1,050 + €520 + €200 = €8,220. This is the exact arithmetic of the published fixed award schedule, while additional special prizes have no predetermined euro amounts.

Prize Conditions and Payment

A competitor can receive only one prize. Ties are resolved for prize distribution using the organizer’s stated Hort system, rather than automatically splitting every displayed amount equally. Players must also attend the scheduled award ceremony unless the organizer gives prior written approval for a third party to accept an award in exceptional circumstances. Failure to meet this condition can lead to forfeiture without redistributing that prize to the next finisher.

All cash awards are paid by bank transfer following verification of results and fair-play review. For payment, the organizer requests IBAN and BIC, plus additional details for banks outside the EU, and advertises payment within 14 working days after the final checks. Furthermore, foreign winners who are not tax-resident in Germany may have German withholding tax and a solidarity surcharge deducted under applicable rules. Winners should discuss payment documentation with the organizer rather than assume the organizer will distribute cash prizes.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The classical tournament comprises two separate Opens. A-Open is intended for competitors with DWZ or Elo of at least 1800, while B-Open is for those below 2000. Because the eligibility bands overlap from 1800 to 1999, that range does not represent a third tournament. It is a zone where the published conditions permit a choice, subject to the organizer’s final interpretation of the entrant’s ratings.

A-Open — Stronger Competitive Field

Specifically, A-Open begins at 1800 and already has a live international starting list on Chess-Results. Moreover, the published record includes titled players and entrants from multiple federations, but the precise number of final participants will change before January. As a result, the organizer uses accelerated pairings to manage a large field with different strengths. Therefore, this competition is a natural option for experienced players and those rated in the overlapping band who want stronger opposition.

In addition, the A-Open cash ladder extends to tenth place and includes two DWZ-based rating awards. The latter use the German DWZ classifications, not separate player pools. Someone considering A-Open should compare their rating, expected opposition and entry fee with the B-Open alternative, then confirm the correct group in the online registration form.

B-Open — Competitive Amateur Division

By contrast, B-Open accepts players below 2000 and runs independently of A-Open, with the same nine games and time control. Furthermore, it pays cash for places one through six and offers four DWZ-based classification groups. The section can be especially useful for players who want the full five-day classical schedule but do not meet A-Open’s published minimum rating or prefer the B-Open field when both choices meet the regulations.

The official B-Open starting list is separate from the A-Open list. Players should look for their entry in the correct record after registering and paying, because organizers update the lists in batches. Therefore, no entrant should assume that a player listed in the other group is an opponent in their own tournament.

📅 Schedule

The two classical groups share nine round start times across five days. The first round begins on Saturday, January 2, at 10:00 AM, followed by a 5:00 PM second round. On January 3, 4 and 5, the morning round starts at 9:30 AM and the afternoon round at 4:00 PM. Finally, the last round begins at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, January 6, with awards scheduled for 3:30 PM.

All times are German local time in January, Central European Time (UTC+1). The first three days after the opening feature two long classical games with limited recovery time. Players should budget enough room for a slow first game and plan meals close to the Congress-Centrum, rather than assume that the afternoon pairing leaves time for a sightseeing trip outside town.

The organizers schedule the award ceremony for 3:30 PM on January 6. Since prize winners must attend unless they have prior written permission for representation, a player hoping to collect an award should not arrange a departure before that time. The last round can also end later than an individual competitor expects, so travel on Wednesday should include additional flexibility.

📝 Registration

The organizer’s official registration form requires online submission and advance payment by December 18, 2026, based on the date the organizer receives payment. For adult participants, the entry fee is €85 for A-Open and €75 for B-Open. Meanwhile, juniors born in 2008 or later pay €65 and €55, respectively. In addition, Grandmasters, International Masters, Woman Grandmasters and Woman International Masters receive free entry under the official event rules.

Importantly, every registered player must submit a completed reporting form at the tournament office by 9:00 AM on January 2, even when they have already registered and paid. Players can collect the forms from 8:00 AM; the organizer offers an optional early submission window on January 1 between 5:00 and 7:00 PM. The organizers may permit late in-person registration with an additional €10 fee if fewer than 620 players have entered.

Payment and Confirmation

For convenience, the organizer supplies its bank account and transfer instructions on the official tournament regulations. For privacy and accuracy, applicants should use the account details directly from that current page rather than copy an account number from a third-party chess listing. In particular, each entrant should make a separate transfer and include their name, FIDE identification or club, and chosen A- or B-Open in the payment reference.

However, payment does not automatically make a name appear on Chess-Results immediately. The organizer explains that the tournament team updates player lists periodically, so a short delay between registration and a visible entry can be normal. If a name is missing close to the event, use the registered email address to confirm receipt with the tournament office. Consequently, the combined entry cap of 620 makes early registration particularly sensible.

New Year Blitz — Separate Entry

A separate Staufer Blitzkönig 2027 takes place on the evening of January 1. Its regulations describe a nine-round Swiss blitz tournament at 3 minutes plus 2 seconds per move, registered for FIDE Blitz. The standard entry fee is €10, with free entry for GM, IM, WGM and WIM competitors, and the scheduled first round begins at 8:00 PM.

The separate blitz prize schedule is €200, €100 and €50 for the top three, subject to at least 50 paying entrants; smaller participation reduces those awards proportionally. Because the blitz event has its own registration, rating category and prize condition, its €350 advertised fund is excluded from the €8,220 fixed classical cash sum. Therefore, players interested in both events should complete both entry processes.

🏛️ Organizer

MyChess.Events maintains an existing profile for SGEM Schwäbisch Gmünd 1872 e.V., with background on the club and its tournament program.

The tournament is organized by Schachgemeinschaft Schwäbisch Gmünd 1872 e.V., a long-established chess club based in the town. Moreover, it maintains an active tournament program and has built the Staufer-Open into a recognizable New Year competition. Both the organizer’s website and the German Chess Federation confirm the club’s involvement, giving visiting players an official route for checking the rules and submitting entries.

Andreas Strohmaier is the named organization contact for the 2027 Open. He can be reached at a.strohmaier@sgem-gmuend.de or +49 160 9189 5590. International Arbiter Roland Katz is named as the tournament’s director/chief arbiter. For eligibility, registration and prizes, contact the tournament organizer rather than venue reception.

The club’s official website and German Chess Federation listing provide an independent basis for tournament dates, sections and venue. In addition, Chess-Results maintains distinct starting lists for A-Open and B-Open. Competitors who played a previous Staufer-Open should still follow the 2027 rules, since fees and administrative procedures can change from one edition to the next.

📍 Venue

Competitors will play in the Peter-Parler-Saal at Congress-Centrum Stadtgarten, Rektor-Klaus-Straße 9, 73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany. In particular, the purpose-built congress center stands beside the town’s Stadtgarten park and the Rems River. Moreover, its operator describes spacious, air-conditioned event rooms, an on-site underground car park and convenient pedestrian access from the railway station.

A venue directory supplies a building-level GPS reference of 48.79809952, 9.78903961 for Congress-Centrum Stadtgarten at the stated street address. This identifies the congress complex, not a surveyed point inside Peter-Parler-Saal. Players should use the full venue name and address when arranging taxis or setting navigation, then follow the organizer’s signage to the chess room.

The congress center states that its garage has a 1.90-meter vehicle-height limit. It also advertises parking charges and ten 22-kW electric-car charging points. Since charges and availability may change, motorists should check the official directions page shortly before arrival. For accessible seating, visitors or a step-free route to the Peter-Parler-Saal should contact the building or tournament team directly.

🏨 Accommodation

Additionally, the organizer recommends several nearby places to stay and says that special hotel conditions may be available when booking directly and mentioning “37. Staufer-Open”. The regulations do not publish fixed tournament room rates, so participants should request an actual offer for their intended January dates. For visiting players, choosing accommodation within walking distance of the congress center can be especially helpful during the four double-round days.

Hotel am Remspark — Close to the Congress Center

Hotel am Remspark, at Remspark 1, is one of the tournament organizer’s recommended accommodation choices. The hotel’s official site describes guest rooms, a restaurant, bar and event facilities. Its position beside Remspark and close to Schwäbisch Gmünd station may suit players who intend to arrive by train or prefer to walk to the playing venue.

However, the hotel is separate from the Congress-Centrum, but both are in the same central park and station district. Therefore, players can request the Staufer-Open rate directly and verify what the offer includes. Because the first classical round is at 10:00 AM on January 2, arriving the previous afternoon or evening can make check-in more comfortable.

Hotel Fortuna — Wellness and Dining

Hotel Fortuna operates at Hauberweg 4, near the Congress-Centrum and the Rems River. Its official website advertises a restaurant, 170 rooms, a swimming pool, gym and wellness facilities. The chess organizer recommends the hotel, and the congress venue also identifies it as one of the closest hotels for event visitors.

The hotel’s location can be useful for competitors who want a proper rest between long classical games. Nonetheless, a published hotel recommendation is not a confirmation of available rooms or a fixed nightly rate. Travelers should ask specifically about the January tournament period, breakfast service, family occupancy, parking and any cancellation restrictions.

Hotel Pelikan — Central and Family-Oriented

Hotel Pelikan is at Türlensteg 9, near the historic center of Schwäbisch Gmünd. Its official website describes 63 guest rooms, including family configurations for two adults and up to two children. The property also advertises Wi-Fi and chargeable parking subject to availability. Its location provides access to restaurants and shops outside playing hours.

The congress operator places Hotel Pelikan within a short walking distance of the venue. Families should compare the cost of a suitable family room with two separate hotel rooms, especially when more than one person is playing. Ask the property whether the Staufer-Open accommodation conditions apply to the chosen room and length of stay.

Booking for Five Days of Classical Chess

Nine games across January 2–6 can require accommodation for five or six nights, depending on the participant’s travel origin. Arriving on January 1 also allows the optional early reporting-form submission and, for those interested, the separate blitz event. The last day includes a 9:30 AM round followed by the 3:30 PM scheduled prize ceremony, so departure plans should allow time for the complete competition.

Players traveling with children should confirm breakfast hours, appropriate bed arrangements and the walking route between the hotel and congress center. A central location can reduce the need for a car and simplify meals during double-round days. The organizer supplies a local tourist-information contact for those seeking additional guesthouses or apartments beyond the recommended hotels.

🚆 How to Get There

Schwäbisch Gmünd lies east of Stuttgart in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. Conveniently, the Congress-Centrum Stadtgarten stands close to the town’s railway station and offers rail and road connections through Stuttgart. For rail travelers, its position next to the station is useful for international participants traveling without a rental car, but travelers should check exact connections for the New Year holiday period.

By Rail from Stuttgart

The Congress-Centrum’s official directions page describes travel from Stuttgart by regional or intercity services toward Schwäbisch Gmünd, with a typical rail journey of about 30 minutes. Service times can differ by train, so check the chosen departure rather than rely on that general estimate. The Deutsche Bahn journey planner provides rail connections and current ticket options.

After arriving at Schwäbisch Gmünd station, follow the pedestrian route toward the Congress-Centrum in the Stadtgarten. The venue operator describes the walk as about two minutes. This gives rail travelers a convenient alternative to a taxi, particularly when accommodation is also located near the station.

Arriving via Stuttgart Airport

Stuttgart Airport (STR) is a practical regional gateway. Travelers can continue into Stuttgart’s railway network and then take a service toward Schwäbisch Gmünd, or arrange a road transfer. The airport’s official website provides airport access information, and Deutsche Bahn allows travelers to coordinate the onward train.

Because the tournament requires all classical players to submit a reporting form before 9:00 AM on January 2, an international flight arriving that morning would create unnecessary risk. It is generally more practical to arrive on January 1 and stay locally overnight. Those who are traveling from farther away may want more time for possible rail or flight disruptions.

By Car — Via B29 and Regional Roads

Schwäbisch Gmünd is accessible by road from Stuttgart and nearby cities, including approaches using the B29. Drivers should enter Congress-Centrum Stadtgarten, Rektor-Klaus-Straße 9 into navigation. The venue’s own underground car park is convenient but has a 1.90 m height limit, so users of taller vehicles should check alternative parking before travel.

The congress center’s official parking information lists a half-hour pricing structure for daytime garage stays and a separate evening rate for cars entering after 6:00 PM. These parking conditions reflect current published rates; however, the venue may revise them by January 2027. Players should allow enough time to find parking, collect their reporting form and reach Peter-Parler-Saal.

Local Walking and Visitor Services

According to the venue, the historic town center is about five minutes away on foot, while several hotels stand near the station and the Stadtgarten. This compact layout helps competitors organize meals and rest between morning and afternoon games. In addition, the operator also describes local food options at the neighboring Rokokoschlösschen, which visitors can explore between games.

Visitors staying farther away should look up the exact final stop or parking location rather than use a broad town-center destination. In winter, weather and daylight conditions can affect walking comfort. Those with accessibility requirements or larger luggage can ask their hotel and the venue for the easiest entrance route.

ℹ️ Other Information

The Staufer-Open’s long-running New Year tradition makes Schwäbisch Gmünd a distinctive winter chess destination. The 2027 edition again offers two full classical groups rather than a single mixed-rating Open. An accompanying blitz competition on January 1 creates an additional playing opportunity, although it remains separate in registration, rating calculation and prize conditions.

The town has an attractive historic center and lies near the landscape of the Swabian Jura. Between games, companions may wish to explore the town’s churches, squares, museums or parkland. The official municipal website provides local information, but opening hours for individual attractions may differ around New Year and the January 6 holiday.

Finally, the host emphasizes fair play and requires a final verification of results before the organizers transfer monetary awards. Players who expect to win a prize should prepare suitable bank details, attend the official award ceremony and follow any applicable tax instructions. For international competitors, the applicable tax and payment rules deserve special attention.

For the most current tournament details use the 2027 official regulations, registration page, and the separate A-Open and B-Open Chess-Results records. Direct questions about an overlapping rating threshold, special-prize eligibility, registration confirmation or bank transfer to Andreas Strohmaier at a.strohmaier@sgem-gmuend.de.