9th Festival Week End β Hotel Mediterranee
Returning to the Ligurian coast, the 9th Festival Week End βHotel Mediterraneeβ, held from 2-4 January 2026 in Genova, Italy, offers three Elo-based tournaments in a compact weekend classical format. Organized by Gruppo Scacchi Merlino in collaboration with the Liguria Regional Chess Committee, the event combines a seaside venue, convenient transport access, and a friendly but competitive atmosphere.
Players may enter one of three rating sections β A (>1800), B (1550 β 1850), or C (<1600) β and compete across five classical rounds. With comfortable hotel facilities, nearby restaurants, and scenic surroundings, this festival provides an ideal chess start to the new year on the Ligurian Riviera.
ποΈ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| ποΈ Dates | 2-4 January 2026 (Fri-Sun) |
| π Location | Genova, Italy (Hotel Mediterranee, Lungomare di Pegli 69) |
| βοΈ Format | 5-round Swiss (Dutch FIDE pairing) |
| β Rating | FIDE & FSI regulations apply |
| β±οΈ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move 1 |
| π Default Time | 60 minutes |
| π₯ Eligibility | Valid FSI agonistic membership for 2026 (can be issued at the venue) |
| π§ Sections | A (>1800) β’ B (1550β1850) β’ C (<1600) |
| π Rules | Decisions of the arbiter are final β’ Indivisible & non-cumulative prizes |
| π« Wild Cards | Up to 4 total across A and B, at the organizerβs discretion |
| β Byes | 1-point bye if paired βBYEβ; Β½-point bye for Round 1 (email request by 30/12/2025) |
| π Tie-Breaks | Buchholz FIDE (REP, Total, Cut 1, ARO) |
π Prize Fund
Total Prize Fund: β¬1,750 + 10 trophies
Torneo A (Elo > 1800)
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1 | β¬300 |
| 2 | β¬230 |
| 3 | β¬150 |
| 4 | β¬120 |
| Best <1900 | β¬100 |
Torneo B (1550β1850)
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1 | β¬150 |
| 2 | β¬120 |
| 3 | β¬100 |
| 4 | β¬80 |
| Best <1750 | β¬60 |
Torneo C (Elo <1600)
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1 | β¬100 |
| 2 | β¬80 |
| 3 | β¬60 |
| 4 | β¬50 |
| Best <1500 | β¬50 |
Trophies
β’ Cups to the top 3 players in each tournament
β’ Cup to best Elo <1400
β±οΈ Time Control & Pairings
β’ 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move from move 1.
β’ 5 rounds, Swiss system (Dutch FIDE).
β’ Arbiter decisions are final.
β’ FIDE rules and FSI technical regulations apply.
β’ Players arriving more than 60 minutes late for a round lose the game.
β’ Maximum of 4 organizer-selected wild cards across tournaments A and B.
β’ The organizer, with arbiters, may apply changes required for smooth operation of the event.
π Sections / Groups
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Torneo A | Elo >1800 |
| Torneo B | Elo 1550β1850 |
| Torneo C | Elo <1600 |
π Schedule
Festival Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jan 2 | 18:00 | Round 1 |
| Sat, Jan 3 | 09:30 | Round 2 |
| Sat, Jan 3 | 15:30 | Round 3 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | 09:00 | Round 4 |
| Sun, Jan 4 | 15:00 | Round 5 |
π Registration
β’ Entry fee: β¬50
β’ GMs & IMs: Free
β’ Mandatory online pre-registration: https://vesus.org/tournament/gmdnKRDu
β’ FSI agonistic membership (2026) requiredβcan be obtained on site
β’ Contact for pre-registrations & information:
β’ Bruno Vello β +39 348 6723688 β Email: https://mailto:brunovello@libero.it
β’ Massimiliano Traverso β +39 349 3556483 β Email: https://mailto:masstrav@hotmail.com
π₯ Organizer
The event is organized by Gruppo Scacchi Merlino in partnership with the Comitato Regionale Liguria, ensuring an officially recognized and well-structured festival in the heart of Pegli.
Contacts:
β’ Bruno Vello β +39 348 6723688 β https://mailto:brunovello@libero.it
β’ Massimiliano Traverso β +39 349 3556483 β https://mailto:masstrav@hotmail.com
π¨ Venue
The tournament is hosted at Hotel Mediterranee*, Lungomare di Pegli 69, Genova. The venue is 300 meters from the Pegli railway station and 6 km from the airport, with bus line 1 stopping directly outside the hotel.
ποΈ Accommodation
Hotel Mediterranee β Special Rates (per night)
| Room Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Single | β¬84 |
| Double | β¬113 |
| Triple | β¬128 |
| Quadruple | β¬148 |
β’ Reserved hotel parking available while spots last.
β’ On-site restaurant options plus nearby Pizzeria Santa Lucia.
β’ Lunch and dinner available at the hotel.
π How to Get There
Hotel Mediterranee is easily accessible from the Pegli railway station (300 m away) and is connected by frequent buses from central Genova. A coastal promenade and cultural attractions such as Villa Durazzo Pallavicini are located nearby.
Begin the new year with a scenic chess weekend on the Ligurian coast and enjoy competitive classical play in beautiful Genova!
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
