48° Festival Scacchistico Internazionale Open Città di Arco
The 48° Festival Scacchistico Internazionale Open Città di Arco 2026 takes place from October 3–11, 2026, in Arco, Trentino, Italy. The long-running international chess festival returns to the historic Casinò Municipale di Arco and combines two FIDE-rated classical tournaments under one event.
The festival includes the Open A, a nine-round general open, and the Open B – Senior Over 65, an eight-round tournament for senior players. Both sections use the same classical time control and are valid for FIDE Standard rating.
The published festival prize fund is €6,000 – approximately $7,000. The program also includes a blitz tournament, a traditional Trentino dinner, live game transmission, and the special Stuart Wagman Best-Game Prize.
📌 Event Details
| Event Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | 48° Festival Scacchistico Internazionale Open Città di Arco 2026 |
| 📅 Festival Dates | October 3–11, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Arco, Trentino, Italy |
| 🏛️ Venue | Salone delle Feste, Casinò Municipale di Arco – Viale delle Magnolie 9, 38062 Arco TN, Italy |
| 🏢 Organizer | Comitato Organizzatore Manifestazioni Scacchistiche – ArcoWorldChess |
| ♟️ Format | Classical – Swiss system |
| 🔢 Rounds | Open A: 9; Open B: 8 |
| 🧩 Sections | Open A; Open B – Senior Over 65 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes for 40 moves + 30 minutes to finish + 30 seconds per move from move 1 |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE Standard |
| ⌛ Default Time | 30 minutes |
| 👥 Capacity | Maximum 250 players |
| 💰 Prize Fund | €6,000 – approximately $7,000 |
| 👤 Tournament Director | IO, IA Cristina Pernici Rigo |
| 🧑⚖️ Chief Arbiter | IA, IO Nuno Filipe Andrade |
| 🆔 FIDE Event ID – Open A | 474766 |
| 🆔 FIDE Event ID – Open B | 474767 |
| 🌐 Official Website | http://www.arcoworldchess.com/ |
| 📄 Official Regulations | https://www.chessmix.com/uploads/Calendar/0055/0000055963.pdf |
| ♟️ Chess-Results – Open A | https://chess-results.com/tnr1439335.aspx?lan=1 |
| ♟️ Chess-Results – Open B | https://chess-results.com/tnr1439342.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Both sections use the Swiss system and the same classical time control.
Players receive 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment from move one.
| Playing Condition | Information |
|---|---|
| Open A | 9-round Swiss |
| Open B | 8-round Swiss |
| Time Control | 90 min./40 moves + 30 min. to finish + 30 sec./move |
| Default Time | 30 minutes |
| Pairing Software | Swiss-Manager |
| Rating | FIDE Standard |
A player who arrives more than 30 minutes after the scheduled starting time loses the game.
🔢 Tie-Breaks
The following tie-break order applies:
| Priority | Tie-Break |
|---|---|
| 1 | Buchholz Cut 1 |
| 2 | Buchholz Total |
| 3 | APRO |
The regulations do not provide requested half-point byes.
🏆 Prize Fund
The festival advertises a total prize fund of €6,000 – approximately $7,000.
Monetary prizes are published as gross amounts before applicable taxation.
🥇 Open A – Overall Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | €650 – approx. $760 + cup |
| 🥈 2nd | €500 – approx. $590 + cup |
| 🥉 3rd | €400 – approx. $470 + cup |
| 4th | €380 – approx. $450 |
| 5th | €300 – approx. $360 |
| 6th | €250 – approx. $300 |
| 7th | €220 – approx. $260 |
| 8th | €200 – approx. $240 |
| 9th | €190 – approx. $230 |
| 10th | €180 – approx. $210 |
| 11th | €170 – approx. $200 |
| 12th | €160 – approx. $190 |
| 13th | €150 – approx. $180 |
⭐ Open A – Rating Prizes
Rating prizes are non-cumulative.
| Rating Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| Elo/DWZ 1800–2000 – Category A | €120 – approx. $140 |
| Elo/DWZ 1600–1799 – Category B | €110 – approx. $130 |
| Elo/DWZ Below 1600 – Category C | €100 – approx. $120 |
👩 Open A – Women’s Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €110 – approx. $130 |
| 2nd | €100 – approx. $120 |
| 3rd | €90 – approx. $110 |
👴 Open A – Over 65 Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €110 – approx. $130 |
| 2nd | €100 – approx. $120 |
| 3rd | €90 – approx. $110 |
🧒 Open A – Under 16 Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €100 – approx. $120 |
| 2nd | €90 – approx. $110 |
| 3rd | €80 – approx. $100 |
The special category prizes are non-cumulative and require at least five participants in the relevant category.
🏅 Stuart Wagman Best-Game Prize
The festival awards a separate €200 – approximately $240 prize for the best game.
♟️ Open B – Senior Over 65
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | €250 – approx. $300 + cup |
| 🥈 2nd | €210 – approx. $250 + cup |
| 🥉 3rd | €200 – approx. $240 + cup |
| 4th | €140 – approx. $170 |
| 5th | €130 – approx. $160 |
Players cannot receive tournament prizes before the scheduled awards ceremony.
♟️ Sections / Groups
The festival combines two classical tournaments under one event.
♚ Open A
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Rated and unrated players |
| Dates | October 3–11, 2026 |
| Rounds | 9 |
| Rating | FIDE Standard |
| FIDE Event ID | 474766 |
| Chess-Results | https://chess-results.com/tnr1439335.aspx?lan=1 |
Open A is the main general section of the festival.
👴 Open B – Senior Over 65
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Players over 65 |
| Dates | October 4–11, 2026 |
| Rounds | 8 |
| Rating | FIDE Standard |
| FIDE Event ID | 474767 |
| Chess-Results | https://chess-results.com/tnr1439342.aspx?lan=1 |
🪪 FSI Membership & FIDE ID
Italian players and foreign players resident in Italy must hold the applicable 2026 FSI Agonistica or Junior membership.
All participants must also have a valid FIDE ID.
📅 Schedule
All times are local time in Arco, Italy.
To keep the schedule easy to read, the date and time are combined in one column.
♟️ Main Tournament
| When | Open A / Open B |
|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 3 · by 2:00 PM | Open A accreditation deadline |
| Sat, Oct 3 · 3:00 PM | Open A – Round 1 |
| Sun, Oct 4 · by 2:00 PM | Open B accreditation deadline |
| Sun, Oct 4 · 3:00 PM | Open A – Round 2 · Open B – Round 1 |
| Mon, Oct 5 · 3:00 PM | Open A – Round 3 · Open B – Round 2 |
| Tue, Oct 6 · 3:00 PM | Open A – Round 4 · Open B – Round 3 |
| Wed, Oct 7 · 3:00 PM | Open A – Round 5 · Open B – Round 4 |
| Thu, Oct 8 · 3:00 PM | Open A – Round 6 · Open B – Round 5 |
| Fri, Oct 9 · 3:00 PM | Open A – Round 7 · Open B – Round 6 |
| Sat, Oct 10 · 3:00 PM | Open A – Round 8 · Open B – Round 7 |
| Sun, Oct 11 · 9:30 AM | Open A – Round 9 · Open B – Round 8 |
| Sun, Oct 11 · approx. 3:30 PM | Awards and closing ceremony |
🎭 Additional Festival Activities
| When | Activity |
|---|---|
| Mon, Oct 5 · 9:00 PM | Blitz Tournament |
| Thu, Oct 8 · 8:30 PM | Traditional Trentino Dinner |
The official regulations list the blitz tournament as a festival activity. However, they do not publish a verified number of rounds, time control, entry fee, or prize fund.
📝 Registration
The festival accepts online registrations, followed by payment by bank transfer.
The payment deadline is October 1, 2026.
💵 Entry Fees
| Player / Section | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Open A | €80 – approx. $100 |
| Open B – Senior Over 65 | €70 – approx. $90 |
| FM, IM and GM | €20 – approx. $30 |
✅ Registration Procedure
Players should:
- Complete the organizer’s online registration procedure.
- Pay the applicable entry fee by October 1, 2026.
- Ensure that the organizer receives the payment.
- Complete accreditation at the playing venue before the relevant section deadline.
Registration becomes final only after receipt of the entry fee.
🏦 Bank Transfer Details
| Payment Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Account Holder | Comitato Organizzatore Manifestazioni Scacchistiche – Pernici Rigo Cristina |
| Bank | Cassa Rurale Alto Garda |
| Bank Address | Viale delle Magnolie 1, Arco TN, Italy |
| IBAN | IT74 O080 1634 3100 0000 0300235 |
| BIC / SWIFT | CCRTIT2T04A |
All bank charges must be paid by the sender.
👥 Capacity
The festival accepts a maximum of 250 players.
Registration closes if the maximum capacity is reached.
📧 Registration Contact
Email: info@arcoworldchess.com
Phone / WhatsApp: +39 327 496 2713
Official Website:
http://www.arcoworldchess.com/
👤 Organizer
| Contact Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer Name | Comitato Organizzatore Manifestazioni Scacchistiche – ArcoWorldChess |
| Contact Person | Cristina Pernici Rigo |
| info@arcoworldchess.com | |
| Phone Number | +39 327 496 2713 |
📍 Venue
Salone delle Feste, Casinò Municipale di Arco – Viale delle Magnolie 9, 38062 Arco TN, Italy
The tournament takes place in the Salone delle Feste inside the historic Casinò Municipale di Arco.
The venue is located close to Arco’s historic center and near the northern part of Lake Garda.
The official festival information also highlights accessibility for players with mobility or visual disabilities.
Around 100 electronic chessboards are planned for live game transmission during the festival.
🚗 How to Get There
Arco does not have its own railway station. Rovereto is the principal nearby railway gateway.
| Transport | Details |
|---|---|
| ✈️ By Air | Verona Airport is the nearest major international airport for the Garda Trentino area. |
| 🚆 By Train | Travel to Rovereto railway station, then continue to Arco by bus, taxi, or road transfer. |
| 🚌 By Bus | Regional buses connect Rovereto, Arco, Riva del Garda, and the surrounding Garda Trentino area. |
| 🚗 By Car | Arco is accessible through the A22 motorway and the Lake Garda regional road network. |
ℹ️ Other Information
📡 Live Games
The organizer plans extensive live transmission from the playing hall.
Approximately 100 electronic chessboards are expected to be installed, allowing games to be followed online through the tournament website and major chess platforms.
♟️ Playing Equipment
The organizer plans to provide:
- Electronic chessboards
- Wooden chess sets
- DGT3000 digital chess clocks
♿ Accessibility
The tournament information specifically promotes participation by players with disabilities, including players with visual impairments.
The playing venue is indicated as accessible.
🏅 Best-Game Prize
A separate €200 Stuart Wagman Prize is awarded for the best game of the festival.
🍽️ Traditional Trentino Dinner
A traditional Trentino dinner is scheduled for:
Thursday, October 8 · 8:30 PM
⚡ Blitz Tournament
The festival program includes a blitz tournament on:
Monday, October 5 · 9:00 PM
Detailed blitz regulations have not yet been officially published.
📊 Pairings & Results
Open A:
https://chess-results.com/tnr1439335.aspx?lan=1
Open B – Senior Over 65:
https://chess-results.com/tnr1439342.aspx?lan=1
🌐 Official Resources
Official Website:
http://www.arcoworldchess.com/
Official Regulations:
https://www.chessmix.com/uploads/Calendar/0055/0000055963.pdf
Open A – Chess-Results:
https://chess-results.com/tnr1439335.aspx?lan=1
Open B – Chess-Results:
https://chess-results.com/tnr1439342.aspx?lan=1
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $7,000
Organizer
♟️ About Comitato Organizzatore Manifestazioni Scacchistiche
Comitato Organizzatore Manifestazioni Scacchistiche is an Italian chess event organization based in Arco, Trentino. It operates publicly through the ArcoWorldChess name and focuses on organizing over-the-board chess tournaments, international opens, senior championships, and multi-day chess festivals. Its home city of Arco has developed a particularly strong connection with international tournament chess through the long-running Open Città di Arco.
The committee’s tournament activity extends beyond Arco and Trentino. ArcoWorldChess has been involved in major chess events in several Italian regions, including international championships in Acqui Terme, Assisi, and Gallipoli. Its events commonly combine FIDE-rated competition with accommodation arrangements, live games, side events, player services, and practical assistance for international visitors.
A central figure in the organization is Cristina Pernici Rigo, a FIDE International Arbiter and International Organizer. She has extensive experience as both a tournament organizer and arbiter at international level. Her work includes World and European senior championships as well as established Italian international opens. She serves as the principal contact for ArcoWorldChess and continues to direct major tournament projects.
🏆 International Tournaments & Championships
The International Chess Open Città di Arco is one of the committee’s flagship events. In 2026, the festival reaches its 48th edition, running at the Casinò Municipale di Arco. The event attracts players from Italy and abroad and combines FIDE-rated classical chess with live game transmission, side activities, and rating-based competition.
The organization is also connected with the International Chess Open Condino–Borgo Chiese, another established event in Trentino. These tournaments help maintain a regular international chess program in the region while providing opportunities for club players, titled players, juniors, seniors, and visiting competitors.
Beyond traditional opens, ArcoWorldChess has substantial experience with major senior championships. Its international activity has included the FIDE World Senior Chess Championship 2022 in Assisi and the FIDE World Senior Individual Chess Championships 2025 in Gallipoli. In 2026, Cristina Pernici Rigo served as Tournament Director of the European Senior Individual Chess Championship in Acqui Terme, which brought together nearly 250 players from 34 European federations.
🌍 Tournament Organization & Player Experience
Comitato Organizzatore Manifestazioni Scacchistiche focuses on complete tournament organization rather than only the competitive schedule. Its events typically include registration management, playing-hall preparation, arbiters, accommodation coordination, live game coverage, participant information, and support for players arriving from abroad.
The organization also has experience with large international fields and destination-based tournaments. Events in places such as Arco, Acqui Terme, Assisi, and Gallipoli combine serious competitive chess with accommodation, tourism, and local cultural activities.
Accessibility has also featured prominently in recent events. The Open Città di Arco promotes participation by players with mobility and visual disabilities and uses electronic chessboards for extensive live transmission.
🏅 History & Achievements
Cristina Pernici Rigo has been active at international level for decades. FIDE records identify her as an International Arbiter since 1998 and an International Organizer since 2001.
Her organizing record includes major World Senior events. Arco hosted the FIDE World Senior Chess Championship in 2010, while later championship projects took place in other Italian destinations. The 2022 World Senior Championship in Assisi, organized by Cristina Pernici Rigo through ArcoWorldChess, attracted 345 players from 53 national federations.
In 2022, FIDE recognized Cristina Pernici Rigo with its Outstanding Chess Organiser award during the Year of the Woman in Chess Awards.
The organization continued its major-event activity with the FIDE World Senior Individual Chess Championships 2025 in Gallipoli, working alongside Chess Projects. In 2026, the European Senior Individual Championship in Acqui Terme further extended this international senior-chess program.
Meanwhile, the annual Arco tournament remains an important part of the organization’s identity. Its 48th edition in 2026 demonstrates the longevity of international tournament chess in Arco and the committee’s continuing role in that tradition.
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