9th International Spandauer Weihnachtsopen 2026 – A-Open takes place from December 27 – 30, 2026, at Bürgersaal, Rathaus Spandau in Berlin-Spandau, Germany. The tournament is the A-Open of the 2026 Spandauer Christmas Festival.

This is a chess tournament in Berlin, Germany, in 2026. Players will compete in a 7-round Swiss open with FIDE and German national rating calculation.

The event offers a published prize fund of €2,650 / approx. $3,085. In addition, the tournament has rating prizes, special prizes for women and youth players, and a clear post-Christmas schedule in the historic Spandau old town area.

♟️ Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

Players receive 90 minutes for the game, plus a 30-second increment per move. This gives the A-Open a classical tournament format across four playing days.

The tournament uses a 7-round Swiss system with Swiss Chess tournament software. Moreover, the event counts for FIDE Elo and German national rating.

Pairings and rating prizes use the player’s higher available rating. Therefore, players should submit accurate FIDE Elo, national rating, and FIDE ID details during registration.

The default time is 30 minutes. Tie-breaks follow this order: Buchholz, Sonneborn-Berger, and drawing of lots.

💰 Prize Fund

The A-Open offers a published prize fund of €2,650 / approx. $3,085.

The prize fund is guaranteed from 100 paying participants. If fewer paying players enter the tournament, the tournament director may adjust the prizes according to the size of the field.

Prize Fund Overview

Main Prizes

Additional Prizes

The tournament also includes special prizes for women and youth players born in 2008 or later.

Rating prizes apply for players under DWZ / Elo 2100 and under DWZ / Elo 1900. These include €100, €50, and material prizes.

Players cannot receive double prizes. In addition, prize winners must attend the award ceremony to receive their prizes.

🧩 Sections / Groups

This page covers the A-Open of the 9th International Spandauer Weihnachtsopen 2026.

The A-Open is open to players with DWZ / Elo above 1700. It suits stronger club players, experienced tournament players, and ambitious rated competitors who want a classical event between Christmas and New Year.

The wider Spandauer Christmas Festival also includes a B-Open with separate conditions. Therefore, players should choose the correct section before registering.

📅 Schedule

Players must complete personal registration between 09:00 and 09:45 on December 27. After 09:45, the organizer may fill available places from the waiting list in registration order.

📝 Registration

Players should register by email and pay the entry fee before the deadline. The payment reference should include the player’s first name, last name, and “A-Open 2026.”

A valid FIDE ID is mandatory. After December 23, the organizer may accept registration only at the venue during attendance confirmation, in cash, and with the late surcharge.

👥 Organizer

SC Zitadelle Spandau 1977 e.V. organizes the 9th International Spandauer Weihnachtsopen 2026 – A-Open. The club runs the tournament as part of the Spandauer Christmas Festival and welcomes players to a rated post-Christmas event in Berlin-Spandau.

Email: turnier@zitaschach.de
Website: https://www.zitaschach.de/weihnachts-festival-2026/

🏛️ Venue

Bürgersaal, Rathaus Spandau – Carl-Schurz-Straße 2/6, 13597 Berlin, Germany

The tournament takes place in the Bürgersaal at Rathaus Spandau. The venue gives players a central playing site in Spandau’s old town area.

Drinks and small snacks will be available at the venue for a modest charge. In addition, the location has strong public transport access through the Spandau rail, S-Bahn, and U-Bahn connections.

🚆 How to Get There

Players should travel to Bürgersaal, Rathaus Spandau – Carl-Schurz-Straße 2/6, 13597 Berlin, Germany.

Berlin-Spandau station connects long-distance trains, regional trains, S-Bahn, and U-Bahn services. The venue is close to the Rathaus Spandau transport hub, so public transport is a practical option for many players.

From Berlin Hauptbahnhof, the journey to Spandau takes about 15 minutes by rail. From Alexanderplatz, the journey takes about 20 minutes by public transport.

Drivers can use the full venue address for navigation. Paid parking spaces are available in the area, but players should still allow extra time before the first morning registration.

ℹ️ Other Information

Players may not receive double prizes. Also, foreign players who are not taxable in Germany may fall under German tax rules for prize payments.

Two missed games lead to exclusion from the tournament. Therefore, players should inform the organizer quickly if a serious travel or health issue affects attendance.

By registering, players or their legal guardians agree that the organizer may take photos and videos at the venue and use them for club publicity in online and printed media.

9th International Spandauer Weihnachtsopen 2026 – A-Open offers a compact FIDE-rated Christmas tournament in Berlin-Spandau, with classical games, a central venue, and a clear 7-round schedule.