9th International Chess Tournament “Vardaris” — Thessaloniki 2026
9th International Chess Tournament “Vardaris” returns to Thessaloniki, Greece from 19–23 February 2026. The festival offers three FIDE-rated Swiss tournaments (A, B, C) across 7 rounds, welcoming players from Greece and abroad with clear regulations, tiered entry fees, and a substantial prize pool. Playing venue: Hotel Holiday Inn, Monastiriou 8, in the heart of the city.
📌 Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | 19 – 23 February 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Thessaloniki, Greece |
| 🏟️ Venue | Hotel Holiday Inn, 8 Monastiriou Str., Thessaloniki |
| 🏁 Tournament Type | FIDE-rated International Open (A/B/C) |
| 🧩 Tournament System | Swiss, 7 rounds |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | 7 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes for the game + 30 seconds per move from move 1 |
| ⏰ Default Time | 30 minutes |
| 👥 Participants Cap | 350 players |
| ⚖️ Tiebreaks | Buchholz → Sonneborn–Berger → Buchholz (sum of opponents’ Buchholz) |
| 🏢 Organizer | Chess Club “SACH” Thessaloniki with Municipality of Thessaloniki, Region of Central Macedonia, Greek Chess Federation, Union of Chess Clubs of Thessaloniki |
| 👤 Tournament Director | FM Georgios Vlassis |
| 👤 Chief Arbiter | IA Zoe Anagnostou |
| ✉️ Email | info@vardaris.com |
| 💳 Bank (entry fees) | National Bank of Greece — Beneficiary: CHESS CLUB “SACH” THESSALONIKI — IBAN GR86 0110 5150 0000 5150 0134 633 · SWIFT ETHNGRAA |
💰 Prize Fund
General Prizes (per group)
| Place | Group A | Group B | Group C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | €1,000 + Cup | €400 + Cup | €150 + Cup |
| 2nd | €700 + Cup | €250 + Cup | €100 + Medal |
| 3rd | €400 + Cup | €150 + Cup | €100 + Medal |
| 4th | €250 | €100 | Medal |
| 5th | €250 | €100 | Medal |
| 6th | €250 | €100 | Medal |
| 7th | €150 | Cup | Medal |
| 8th | €150 | Cup | Medal |
| 9th | €150 | Cup | Medal |
Special Prizes
- Group A: 1st Woman €150 + Medal · 1st Veteran 50+ €150 + Medal · U2200 €100
- Group B: U2000- €100 · 1st U16 (boy) €100 + Medal · 1st U16 (girl) €100 + Medal
- Group C: 1st U20 (boy/girl) Medal · 1st U10 (boy/girl) Medal · 1st U8 (boy/girl) Medal
🧩 Sections / Eligibility
| Group | Eligibility / Notes |
|---|---|
| Group A | FIDE Elo ≥1800. Free entry for GM/IM/WGM/WIM; also free for ≥2300 and women ≥2100. Players 1600–2000 in Group B may “play up” into Group A for €120. |
| Group B | FIDE Elo ≤2000, age >12 (born before 1/1/2014). U12 with >1600 Elo may also play here. |
| Group C | FIDE Elo ≤1800, U12 (born after 1/1/2014). |
⏱️ Time Control & Regulations
- 90′ + 30″/move from move 1
- Default waiting time: 30 minutes
- Byes: Until Round 3, a ½-point bye may be requested (after that: 0 points). Round-1 bye only with pre-paid entry.
- Absence without notice: disqualification and exclusion from next Vardaris.
- Anti-cheating: Strict FIDE regulations enforced.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Thu 19 Feb | Round 1 — 17:30 |
| Fri 20 Feb | Round 2 — 17:30 |
| Sat 21 Feb | Round 3 — 10:00 · Round 4 — 17:30 |
| Sun 22 Feb | Round 5 — 10:00 · Round 6 — 17:30 |
| Mon 23 Feb | Round 7 — 10:00 · Closing Ceremony — 15:00 |
Pairings for Round 1: Thu 19 Feb, 15:30. In-person check-in for foreign players: Thu 19 Feb, 10:00–14:00.
📝 Registration & Fees
- Deadline: 16 February 2026 (or earlier if cap is reached).
- Group A fees: GM/IM/WGM/WIM: Free · ≥2300: Free · Women ≥2100: Free · 2000–2300: €60 · 1800–1999: €80
- Group B fees: 1800–2000: €40 · 1500–1799: €60 · Unrated: €70
- Group C fees: General: €40
- Discounts: 2 family members: –10% total · 3+ family: –20% total · Disabled players: –50%
- Payment via National Bank of Greece (IBAN/SWIFT under Event Details). Refunds: Full refund if canceled by 13 Feb; none after. Proof of payment must be emailed to info@vardaris.com.
🏢 Organizer
Chess Club “SACH” Thessaloniki in cooperation with the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Region of Central Macedonia, Greek Chess Federation, and Union of Chess Clubs of Thessaloniki. Known for running large-scale, well-organized open tournaments with a welcoming international spirit.
🏟️ Venue
Hotel Holiday Inn Thessaloniki, 8 Monastiriou Str.
Spacious hotel venue, centrally located, with easy access to Thessaloniki’s transport hubs. Closing ceremony takes place on site after Round 7.