The 45th International Chess Open of Clermont-Ferrand 2027 takes place from February 18–21, 2027, at Espace Municipal La Diode – Terre de Jeux in Clermont-Ferrand, central France. Organized by Échiquier Clermontois Arverne (ECA), the event continues a longstanding tournament series that began in 1981. It welcomes competitors for seven rounds of classical chess and offers an advertised €4,000 prize fund.

The tournament uses a seven-round Swiss system and a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. The French Chess Federation has approved the event for FIDE Standard rating, with results due to count toward the March 2027 rating list. Its open playing field provides opportunities for adults, juniors and strong competitors, while the prize structure recognizes the overall standings and additional rating, women’s, junior and veteran categories.

The competition begins on Thursday, February 18, at 9:30 AM, with on-site check-in from 8:30 to 9:00 AM. Entry costs €50 for adults and €25 for under-20 players, and the organizer limits the tournament to 150 participants. Players can reserve a place through the official HelloAsso registration page; the sections below cover the tournament rules, prizes, playing schedule and travel arrangements.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

All participants enter a seven-round classical Swiss-system tournament. Each player starts with 90 minutes and receives a 30-second increment after each move. This standard FIDE classical control gives competitors time for careful middlegame analysis, practical endgames and longer combinations.

The French Chess Federation registers the competition for FIDE Standard rating. The event is listed for evaluation in the March 2027 rating cycle. Swiss pairings match players according to their tournament results and applicable pairing rules, allowing competitors to continue playing after an early loss.

The organizer permits one requested bye during the first four rounds. Players considering this option should arrange it under the current competition conditions, particularly if travel plans prevent them from joining a specific early round. The tournament is scheduled across four days, using published playing windows at 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM.

Players need to follow the FIDE Laws of Chess and the instructions issued by chief arbiter Jean-Marc Flouzat. The playing hall and tournament administration are coordinated by ECA, which also has experience hosting large open competitions at this venue.

🏆 Prize Fund

The 45th International Chess Open of Clermont-Ferrand announces €4,000 in total prizes, equivalent to approximately US$4,480 using a rounded November 2, 2026 rate of €1 ≈ US$1.12. The advertised first three prizes are €1,000, €800, and €500, respectively. The organizer guarantees those main awards when at least 80 paying players enter the tournament.

The remainder of the published fund supports other standings and special prize categories. The official announcement identifies rating-group, women’s, youth and veteran awards, giving players several potential competitive goals beyond the top three places overall.

Players should apply the organizer’s event-specific eligibility and prize-sharing rules. Actual currency conversion depends on the exchange rate at the time, and awards are published in euros. The 80-paying-player threshold is important when interpreting the advertised guaranteed main prizes.

In the 2026 edition, Grandmaster Sergey Fedorchuk won the Open with a perfect 7/7, ahead of Dan Clotet Mas on 6/7. That previous result gives a sense of the competitive level the tournament can attract, although the entry list and leading contenders change from year to year.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The 2027 competition is announced as a single International Open rather than multiple separately paired tournaments. All participants play in the same seven-round Swiss-system event, while prize awards recognize different playing strengths and participant categories.

The tournament attracts a broad range of chess players through its open entry structure. In 2026, 140 entrants took part, including strong masters, junior competitors and club players from numerous French clubs. That edition’s organizers published separate category awards to acknowledge achievements at different levels.

Participants should supply accurate federation and rating information when registering. The official HelloAsso entry form distinguishes the adult and junior entry fees, with additional complimentary categories for eligible titleholders and members of the French youth national team.

📅 Schedule

The tournament runs over four days, February 18–21, 2027. The French Chess Federation announces playing windows at 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM. The first round starts on Thursday morning, following the on-site player check-in. Times below are Central European Time (CET, UTC+1), local to Clermont-Ferrand in February.

The organizer’s seven-round program is arranged around these playing slots, with the competition concluding on Sunday. The previous edition used a pattern of two games on each of the first three days followed by a final Sunday morning game; players should consult the 2027 event instructions for the final round-by-round allocation.

Classical games may run for several hours, so participants should not assume that the interval between rounds is a long break. Organizers recommend arriving before the scheduled start, and visitors should account for travel time and registration needs when planning their first morning.

A requested bye can help a player manage a conflict during one of the first four rounds, as permitted by the rules. Entrants should settle any such request with the tournament team rather than relying on an unannounced absence.

📝 Registration

Players can register directly through the official HelloAsso entry page operated by Échiquier Clermontois Arverne. The form offers adult and junior categories, as well as complimentary entry for eligible GMs, IMs and members of the French youth national team by arrangement with the organizer.

REGISTER FOR CLERMONT-FERRAND 2027

Entry Fees

For players eligible for complimentary entry, the registration form asks them to contact Jean-Loup Bertin about participation. The organizer has announced a 150-player capacity limit, so advance entry is advisable, particularly for visitors who need to arrange accommodation.

Registration Process

Choose the relevant participant category on HelloAsso, enter the required participant information and follow the displayed confirmation or payment steps. The platform also offers an optional contribution to HelloAsso itself; that contribution is separate from the advertised tournament entry fee.

On the first day, competitors complete attendance confirmation between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM, before the first round at 9:30 AM. Questions about entry, eligibility or the event program can be directed to jeanloup.bertin63@gmail.com or the tournament director’s published telephone number.

For federation approval, official time control and current event notices, use the French Chess Federation tournament record. MyChess.Events links directly to the organizer’s registration service rather than collecting tournament entry payments.

🏛️ Organizer

Échiquier Clermontois Arverne (ECA) is a longstanding chess organization in Clermont-Ferrand. Its predecessor, Échiquier Clermontois, was founded in December 1979 and launched the first International Open of Clermont-Ferrand in February 1981.

The club combines an active weekly program, junior training, adult classes, interclub competition and regular tournaments. Its historic achievements include a place in France’s Top 16 during the 1996–97 season, while its modern club has maintained national and regional team activity.

The 2027 International Open is organized by Jean-Loup Bertin, with Jean-Marc Flouzat appointed as chief arbiter. The club’s home is the La Diode – Terre de Jeux municipal facility, where players can find regular chess sessions as well as the annual competition. More information appears on the ECA organizer profile.

📍 Venue

Espace Municipal La Diode – Terre de Jeux — 190–194 Boulevard Gustave Flaubert, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.

The tournament takes place at the club’s regular municipal chess and games facility. The French Chess Federation confirms the address, while the club’s official contact page provides its precise location in Clermont-Ferrand. ECA has used the building as its base since January 2016.

The venue accommodates lessons, internal club activity and larger events. At the 2026 International Open, organizers used a large hall and a second playing room, with a separate analysis area for participants. The French Chess Federation lists the site as accessible to people with reduced mobility.

For drivers, the official 2027 announcement explains that the entrance is close to the local retail area, opposite the parking area near the Leclerc ice rink and to the right of Literie Marché. The full street address is therefore useful for reaching the appropriate side of the complex.

🏨 Accommodation

Players traveling from outside Clermont-Ferrand can consider accommodation in the city center or closer to the southern Boulevard Gustave Flaubert area. The event spans four days and begins with a 9:30 AM Thursday round, so participants who live farther away may find it more convenient to arrive the previous evening.

Central Clermont-Ferrand offers hotels, guesthouses and apartments, along with restaurants and transport services. Those choosing a centrally located property should check the actual journey to La Diode rather than assuming that the playing hall is in the main historic center. Travelers arriving by train can plan onward transport to the venue from the station area.

Accommodation remains a separate booking decision. Players should check the relevant nights, cancellation conditions and morning journey before committing to non-refundable reservations. Those accompanying junior players may prefer arrangements that allow a straightforward early arrival on the first playing day.

🚆 How to Get There

The venue is located at 190–194 Boulevard Gustave Flaubert, Clermont-Ferrand, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of central France. The address is confirmed by both the French Chess Federation and the local municipal association register.

🚆 By Train

Clermont-Ferrand railway station provides connections to other cities in France. Arriving passengers can continue toward the La Diode venue using city transport, a taxi or another local connection. As the tournament begins at 9:30 AM on Thursday, February 18, visitors should check the first available service and allow time for check-in.

🚌 By City Transport

Clermont-Ferrand has an urban transport system serving its residential, commercial and central districts. Players using public transport should search for connections to Boulevard Gustave Flaubert and the La Diode – Terre de Jeux area. Weekend and weekday timetables can differ, so the relevant February 2027 schedule should guide travel plans.

🚗 By Car

Use the full playing address and postal code 63000 in your navigation system. The federation’s event description identifies the entrance near the local Leclerc ice-rink parking area and the Literie Marché business. Follow the posted parking and building-access signs when arriving.

✈️ For International Visitors

Travelers arriving in France by air can connect to Clermont-Ferrand through suitable airport, rail and road services. The city offers an opportunity to explore the volcanic landscapes of Auvergne alongside the tournament. Since most playing days include lengthy classical games, sightseeing is easier to plan around the chess schedule or during an additional stay.

ℹ️ Other Information

The 45th International Chess Open of Clermont-Ferrand is registered with the Fédération Française des Échecs under reference 73574 and is due to contribute to the March 2027 FIDE Standard rating list. The published tournament organizer is Jean-Loup Bertin, and the chief arbiter is Jean-Marc Flouzat.

The event has a 150-player entry limit and allows one requested bye during the first four rounds. The advertised €4,000 prize fund includes general standings and category awards, with the main prize guarantee subject to the organizer’s stated minimum of 80 paying entrants.

For official tournament rules, refer to the FFE listing. For entry and payment, use the direct HelloAsso registration form. Additional club news and future events are published on Échiquier Clermontois Arverne’s website.