3rd Festival della Dragonara
History and scenery blend seamlessly at the 3rd Festival della Dragonara, held from February 20-22, 2026 in Camogli, Italy. Set inside the elegant Hotel Cenobio dei Dogi overlooking the Ligurian Sea, this three-day festival features FIDE-rated classical chess across three rating groups and attracts players who enjoy both competitive play and a coastal winter getaway. The event carries the patronage of the City of Camogli, giving the festival a strong local identity rooted in the traditions of the Golfo Paradiso area.
Three separate tournaments—A, B, and C—run simultaneously, each with its own prize structure and rating requirements. The organizers cap participation at 120 players across all groups and guarantee a polished, regulation-compliant experience. Camogli’s walkable layout, sea views, and excellent public connections make the tournament not only competitive but also highly pleasant for accompanying families or players wishing to extend their stay.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | February 20-22, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Hotel Cenobio dei Dogi, Via Cuneo 34, Camogli, Italy |
| ♟️ Format | Three parallel tournaments (A, B, C), 5-round Swiss each |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes to finish + 30 seconds per move from move 1 |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE and FSI rated; rating variations according to federation rules |
| 📂 Sections | Torneo A (Elo ≥ 1900); Torneo B (Elo < 2000); Torneo C (Elo < 1600) |
| 👥 Capacity | Up to 35 players in A; total of 85 players across B and C |
| 💳 Entry fee | A: €60 (€50 U18); B: €55 (€45 U18); C: €50 (€40 U18) |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | FSI Agonistic Card required for Italian residents; foreign players must have a FIN (FIDE ID) |
🏆 Prize Fund
The total prize fund reaches €4,000 across the three tournaments. Main prizes:
Torneo-A (Elo ≥ 1900):
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €500 + trophy |
| 2nd | €400 |
| 3rd | €300 |
| 4th | €250 |
| 5th | €200 |
| 6th | €150 |
Torneo-B (Elo < 2000):
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €300 + trophy |
| 2nd | €200 |
| 3rd | €150 |
| 4th | €100 |
| 5th | €80 |
Torneo-C (Elo < 1600):
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €200 + trophy |
| 2nd | €120 |
| 3rd | €80 |
| 4th | €70 |
| 5th | €60 |
Additional category prizes include awards for rating classes (<2000, <1700, <1400), Over 65, U18, U16, U14, and Best Female.
All refunds are indivisible and non-cumulative. Prize money is paid by bank transfer; trophies and non-cash awards require presence at the closing ceremony.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
All tournaments use the same classical time control of 90 minutes to finish plus a 30-second increment per move. Pairings follow FIDE Swiss rules.
Rules highlights:
• Arriving more than 60 minutes late results in forfeit.
• One half-point bye (forfeit draw) allowed in the first three rounds only if requested before the tournament begins.
• Random anti-cheating checks may occur using electronic detectors.
• Electronic devices follow FIDE Articles 11.3.2 and 12.8.
• Smoking is prohibited inside the playing area.
The organizers may accept up to four total wild cards across A and B and may adjust entries as needed for smooth pairings.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Torneo A | Elo ≥ 1900 | GM, IM, and FM ≥ 2300 play for free |
| Torneo B | Elo < 2000 | Standard open group |
| Torneo C | Elo < 1600 | Entry-level group within FIDE rules |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 20, 2026 | Friday | 17:00 | Check-in & pairings |
| February 20, 2026 | Friday | 17:30 | Round 1 |
| February 21, 2026 | Saturday | 09:30 | Round 2 |
| February 21, 2026 | Saturday | 15:00 | Round 3 |
| February 22, 2026 | Sunday | 09:00 | Round 4 |
| February 22, 2026 | Sunday | 14:30 | Round 5 |
| February 22, 2026 | Sunday | After Round 5 | Prize ceremony |
📝 Registration
Players must pre-register on Vesus by February 16, 2026. Registration becomes valid only after the organizer receives payment by February 17.
Payment details:
• Bank transfer to ASD Scacchi Golfo Paradiso
• IBAN: IT67W0623032121000030201189
• Include player name and chosen tournament (A, B, C)
Refund policy:
• 50% refund available if requested by February 19 and justified by external causes.
If the limit of 120 players is reached, organizers open a waiting list.
👥 Organizer
A.S.D. Scacchi Golfo Paradiso “G. Musso” organizes the festival with support from the City of Camogli and the Italian Chess Federation. The team manages pairings, venue logistics, and all technical operations.
Main contact:
Paolo D’Augusta
Phone: +39 335 719 6786
Email: paolo.daugusta@gmail.com
Website: http://www.scacchigolfoparadiso.it/
🏨 Venue
The tournament takes place at Hotel Cenobio dei Dogi, Via Cuneo 34, overlooking the sea in Camogli. The hotel offers spacious halls and an elegant environment suitable for classical chess. It sits within walking distance from the railway station, accessible via a short elevator ride that connects the station to the town level.
🛎️ Accommodation
Tournament-partner hotels offer reserved rates for pre-registered participants (excluding city tax of €2.50 per night per person). Options include:
| Hotel | Single | Double | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cenobio dei Dogi | Dedicated event page | — | Premium beachfront hotel |
| La Camogliese | €70 | €90 | Central location |
| Piccolo Scoglio | €79 | €86–89 | — |
| Soffio di Mare | €70 | €90 | “Self in room” option |
| Stella Marina | €95 | €70–75 | — |
| Locanda I Tre Merli | €190 | €250 | Boutique hotel |
| Il Pesce d’Oro | — | €119 | — |
| L’Approdo | — | €68 | — |
Most hotels include breakfast; some require at least two nights. Triples and additional combinations vary by property.
🚗 How to Get There
Camogli is easy to reach by car from the A12 motorway via the Recco exit, just 5 km from the venue. Travelers arriving by train can reach the playing site within a five-minute walk from Camogli–San Fruttuoso station using the nearby public elevator, which connects directly to the town center.
🧾 Other
• Participation implies consent for publication of player data and images for event-related materials.
• A transfer service to the Festival des Jeux de Cannes may be arranged on February 23 if enough participants request it in advance.