The 9. Oberländische Meisterschaft 2026 will take place from October 16–18, 2026, in Thun, Switzerland. The tournament brings together players from the Bernese Oberland and beyond for three days of FIDE-rated classical chess.
Players will compete in 5 Swiss-system rounds at Restaurant Rössli-Thun-Dürrenast. The tournament offers a total prize fund of CHF 2,130 for 10 prize winners, together with reduced entry fees for young players and several additional discounts.
In addition, the event offers free parking, restaurant facilities, meal subsidies for tournament participants, and accommodation directly at the venue. The title of Oberland Champion remains reserved for players with a qualifying connection to Thun or the Bernese Oberland.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | October 16–18, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Thun, Switzerland |
| 🏛️ Venue | Restaurant Rössli-Thun-Dürrenast – Frutigenstrasse 73, 3604 Thun, Switzerland |
| ♟️ Format | Classical Open Tournament |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE-rated |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 |
| 🧩 Pairing System | Swiss system |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move |
| ⌛ Default Time | 30 minutes |
| 💰 Prize Fund | CHF 2,130 for 10 prize winners, approximately US$2,640 |
| 🏆 Championship Title | Oberland Champion title for eligible players |
| 🅿️ Parking | More than 40 free parking spaces |
| 👤 Organizer | Schach in Thun |
| 🌐 Official Website | https://www.schachinthun.ch/Oberlaendische_Meisterschaft/9.Oberlaendische_Meisterschaft/9.Oberlaendische_Meisterschaft.html |
| ♟️ Chess-Results | https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1483413.aspx?lan=0 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament consists of 5 rounds played under the Swiss system. Each player receives 90 minutes for the game plus a 30-second increment after every move.
The tournament counts for FIDE rating. FIDE Laws of Chess and the tournament regulations apply throughout the event.
Players have a 30-minute default time after the scheduled start of a round. After this period, an absent player loses the game by default.
A player may request one half-point bye. The entry fee must be paid in advance, and the organizer must receive the request within the specified deadline.
🏆 Prize Fund
The tournament offers a total cash prize fund of CHF 2,130, approximately US$2,640, distributed among 10 prize winners.
| Prize Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | CHF 600 |
| 2nd Place | CHF 400 |
| 3rd Place | CHF 300 |
| 4th Place | CHF 200 |
| 5th Place | CHF 150 |
| 6th Place | CHF 100 |
| Best Senior | CHF 100 |
| Best Player U1600 | CHF 100 |
| Best U16 Player | CHF 80 |
| Best Female Player | CHF 100 |
The Best Female Player prize applies when at least three female players participate.
Each player may receive only one prize. If a player qualifies for more than one award, the applicable tournament prize regulations determine which prize is awarded.
👥 Sections / Groups
Open Tournament
All participants compete in one 5-round classical Swiss-system tournament.
The event includes overall ranking prizes as well as special prizes for the Best Senior, Best U1600 Player, Best U16 Player and Best Female Player.
Oberland Champion Title
The title of Oberländischer Meister / Oberland Champion may only be awarded to an eligible player with a qualifying connection to Thun or the Bernese Oberland.
Players from outside the region may participate fully in the Open tournament and compete for the general and special prizes.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, October 16 | 16:30–18:00 | Attendance check and payment desk |
| Friday, October 16 | 18:30 | Round 1 |
| Saturday, October 17 | 09:30 | Round 2 |
| Saturday, October 17 | 14:30 | Round 3 |
| Sunday, October 18 | 09:30 | Round 4 |
| Sunday, October 18 | 14:30 | Round 5 |
| Sunday, October 18 | Approx. 18:30 | Prize ceremony |
📝 Registration
Registration is made by email to:
The normal registration deadline is October 15, 2026.
Entry Fees
| Player Category | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Players aged 21+ with licence | CHF 100 |
| Players aged 21+ without licence | CHF 120 |
| U20 with licence | CHF 80 |
| U18 with licence | CHF 70 |
| U16 with or without licence | CHF 60 |
Discounts
| Discount | Amount / Condition |
|---|---|
| Early Bird | CHF 10 discount for registration and payment by September 14, 2026 |
| Returning Player | CHF 10 discount from the third consecutive participation |
| Family / Same Household | CHF 5 discount for eligible family members living in the same household |
After registration by email, the organizer sends the participant the relevant payment details.
Eligible discounts may be combined where the conditions specified by the organizer are fulfilled.
Late Registration
Registration on the tournament day costs the regular entry fee plus CHF 20. Participation remains subject to available space and sufficient playing equipment.
Cancellation
If a player cancels before the first tournament day, the entry fee may be refunded according to the organizer’s published tournament conditions.
👤 Organizer
Organizer: Schach in Thun
Contact Person: Andreas Pfeiffer, Tournament Director / National Arbiter
Email: doublehunter@damenfalle.ch
📍 Venue
Restaurant Rössli-Thun-Dürrenast – Frutigenstrasse 73, 3604 Thun, Switzerland
The tournament takes place in the first-floor tournament hall at Restaurant Rössli-Thun-Dürrenast. The playing area provides space for more than 60 chess players.
A separate area next to the playing hall is available for accompanying persons and for players who wish to analyse their games.
The restaurant serves food and drinks throughout the day. In addition, the venue provides more than 40 free parking spaces.
Accommodation is also available at the venue for players who reserve sufficiently early.
Phone: +41 33 334 30 60
Website: https://www.roessli-duerrenast.ch/
🚆 How to Get There
By Public Transport
From Thun railway station, players can take bus line 5 to the Thun Dürrenast stop. Restaurant Rössli is then within walking distance.
Alternatively, take bus line 1 toward Spiez and get off at KK Thun. From there, continue on foot toward Frutigenstrasse.
By Car
Take the A6 motorway exit Thun Süd and continue toward Thun. Follow the local roads toward Frutigenstrasse and Spiez.
Restaurant Rössli is located at Frutigenstrasse 73, 3604 Thun.
The venue offers more than 40 free parking spaces.
ℹ️ Other Information
🍽️ Meal Subsidy
Tournament participants receive a CHF 5 contribution toward one main meal on Saturday and CHF 5 toward one main meal on Sunday.
Players pay for their meal at the restaurant, keep the receipt and present it to the Tournament Director to receive the applicable contribution.
📷 Photography
Photographs may be taken during the tournament and subsequently published by the organizer in connection with the event.
⚖️ Arbiter Decisions
Players who need an arbiter’s ruling during a game should stop the chess clock and contact the arbiter immediately.
The arbiter’s decisions are handled according to the applicable tournament regulations and FIDE Laws of Chess.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $2,640
Organizer
♟️ About Schach in Thun
Schach in Thun is a chess initiative based in Thun, Switzerland, focused on organizing and promoting over-the-board chess tournaments in the city and the wider Bernese Oberland region. It provides players with access to competitive chess while bringing together participants from local clubs and the surrounding chess community.
The activities of Schach in Thun are coordinated by Andreas Pfeiffer. He is also responsible for organizing the Oberländische Meisterschaft, one of the initiative’s principal classical tournaments. The event combines open tournament participation with the tradition of determining the Oberland chess champion among eligible players from the region.
Schach in Thun operates within an active local chess environment that includes several clubs, tournament organizers, arbiters, and players. Its activities contribute to regular tournament opportunities in Thun while supporting the visibility of chess throughout the Bernese Oberland.
🏔️ Oberländische Meisterschaft
The Oberländische Meisterschaft is one of the main tournaments organized by Schach in Thun and Andreas Pfeiffer.
The championship brings together players for classical over-the-board chess in Thun. In addition to the general tournament standings, the event maintains its regional identity through the Oberland championship title.
The tournament traditionally offers a structured multi-round competition and provides an opportunity for both local and visiting players to compete in a serious tournament environment.
The 9. Oberländische Meisterschaft 2026 is part of the current Schach in Thun tournament programme and continues this regional chess tradition.
♟️ Chess Activities in Thun
Schach in Thun contributes to the broader chess scene in the city by organizing tournaments and providing information for players interested in competitive chess.
Thun has an established chess community with different clubs and organizers running their own activities. Therefore, individual tournaments may have different organizational teams even when they are part of the wider Thun chess environment.
In particular, the Thuner Stadtmeisterschaft is organized separately by Martijn Engelberts and should not be considered an event organized by Andreas Pfeiffer through Schach in Thun.
This distinction allows players to identify the appropriate organizer and contact person for each tournament.
🤝 Local Chess Community
Chess in Thun benefits from cooperation between players, clubs, organizers, and volunteers. Different competitions provide opportunities for classical chess as well as shorter formats and other local chess activities.
Schach in Thun forms part of this wider community while maintaining responsibility for its own tournaments. Through the organization of the Oberländische Meisterschaft and related activities, it helps provide regular competitive opportunities in Thun and the Bernese Oberland.
Players interested in tournaments organized by Schach in Thun can find current information through the official website and contact the organizer directly when necessary.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
