3rd Chess Festival at Manoir Hôtel – Touquet Golf Resort
Chess enthusiasts can enjoy the 3rd Chess Festival at Manoir Hôtel – Touquet Golf Resort from February 16-20, 2026 in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, France. This festival brings together a FIDE-rated classical “Master” open and a FIDE-rated blitz tournament in the scenic setting of the Touquet Golf Resort. Players of all levels can compete over seven classical rounds plus a dedicated blitz event, combining serious chess with a relaxing stay at a four-star hotel near the French coast.
Participants play in a single open classical section with long time controls and guaranteed cash prizes, then switch gears for a fast-paced blitz tournament later in the week. The festival atmosphere, on-site all-inclusive accommodation at the Manoir Hôtel, and convenient schedule make this event attractive for both local players and visitors who want to combine competition with a short winter break by the sea.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | February 16-20, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Manoir Hôtel – Touquet Golf Resort, Avenue du Golf, 62520 Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, France |
| ♟️ Format | Classical “Master” open (7 rounds) + Blitz tournament (7 rounds) |
| ⏱️ Time control | Master: 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move; Blitz: 5 minutes + 2 seconds per move |
| ⭐ Rating | Both tournaments FIDE-rated (French Chess Federation homologated) |
| 📂 Sections | Master (classical, open to all); Blitz (open) |
| 💳 Entry fee | Master: Adult €60 or €80 festival pass; Under-20 €30 or €40 festival pass; Blitz: Adult €10, Under-20 €5 |
| 💰 Prize fund | Master: 1st €650, 2nd €500, 3rd €250 (guaranteed); Blitz: 1st prize €100 (guaranteed) |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Online program and registration available at touquet-echecs.fr |
🏆 Prize Fund
The festival offers guaranteed prizes in the classical Master tournament and the blitz event.
Master (classical, 7 rounds):
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €650 |
| 2nd | €500 |
| 3rd | €250 |
Blitz (7 rounds):
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €100 |
All prizes listed above are guaranteed by the organizers. Additional non-cash distinctions and festival activities may complement the main awards.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The Master tournament uses a classical FIDE time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move from the first move. Players compete over seven rounds in a single open section, with pairings following standard Swiss-system rules.
The blitz tournament runs over seven rounds with a time control of 5 minutes plus a 2-second increment per move from the start. The blitz takes place later in the festival after the classical rounds on Thursday.
Organizers submit results from both tournaments for FIDE rating, under the auspices of the French Chess Federation.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Master | Open to all players | 7-round classical, FIDE-rated |
| Blitz | Open to all players | 7-round blitz, FIDE-rated |
📅 Schedule
Schedule – Master (classical, open to all):
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 16, 2026 | Monday | 13:00–16:00 | Check-in |
| February 16, 2026 | Monday | 16:30 | Round 1 |
| February 17, 2026 | Tuesday | 10:00 | Round 2 |
| February 17, 2026 | Tuesday | 16:30 | Round 3 |
| February 18, 2026 | Wednesday | 10:00 | Round 4 |
| February 18, 2026 | Wednesday | 16:30 | Round 5 |
| February 19, 2026 | Thursday | 10:00 | Round 6 |
| February 20, 2026 | Friday | 09:30 | Round 7 |
| February 20, 2026 | Friday | 13:30 | Prize-giving ceremony |
Blitz highlights:
• Thursday, February 19: registration approximately 16:00–16:20
• Thursday, February 19: blitz rounds from about 16:30 into the early evening
📝 Registration
Players register online via the festival website or by contacting the organizer directly. The Master tournament offers two fee levels: a standard entry and a higher “festival pass” option, with reduced rates for players under 20 years old.
For the Master tournament:
• Adult: €60 standard; €80 festival pass
• Under-20: €30 standard; €40 festival pass
For the Blitz tournament:
• Adult: €10
• Under-20: €5
The organizers recommend early registration to secure places in both the classical and blitz events. Entry becomes valid once the organizer confirms reception of the registration details and payment according to the chosen formula.
👥 Organizer
The festival is organized by Romain Christophe Hayot, who coordinates the classical Master and blitz tournaments in collaboration with the Touquet Chess Club and festival partners. The organizer oversees entries, pairings, and liaison with the French Chess Federation.
Email: c.hayot@hotmail.com
Phone: +33 6 31 05 82 29
Festival website: https://touquet-echecs.fr
🏨 Venue
The venue is the Manoir Hôtel** at Touquet Golf Resort**, located on Avenue du Golf in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, France. The hotel stands next to the golf course in a quiet, green setting a short distance from the seaside resort center. Playing halls provide a pleasant environment for classical and blitz games.
Venue website: https://www.letouquetgolfresort.com/fr
🛎️ Accommodation
The Manoir Hôtel offers an all-inclusive package for festival participants at €90 per person per night, valid for single or double rooms. The package includes:
• Overnight stay in a single or double room
• Breakfast
• Dinner
• Drinks with meals
Players book their rooms directly with the Manoir Hôtel using the festival reference, and availability remains subject to the hotel’s booking conditions.
🚗 How to Get There
Le Touquet-Paris-Plage lies on the northern French coast, within driving distance of major cities such as Lille, Calais, and Paris. Players can reach the Touquet Golf Resort by car via regional motorways, with local signage directing visitors to Avenue du Golf.
Travelers arriving by train can use regional services to nearby stations and then take local taxi or bus connections to the golf resort and Manoir Hôtel.
Players can combine competitive FIDE-rated chess with a comfortable seaside stay, enjoying both classical and blitz events in the relaxed yet elegant spirit of this coastal French festival.