9th SKG International Open 2026
9th SKG International Open 2026 will take place from August 6 to 11, 2026, at Holiday Inn Thessaloniki. The event is part of Thessaloniki’s international chess program and welcomes players from Greece and abroad.
The competition consists of nine Swiss-system rounds with 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one. Results are submitted for both international and national rating calculation.
The official event platform combines registration, regulations, pairings and accommodation information. Special hotel rates are offered to tournament participants, subject to availability and the organizer’s booking conditions.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | August 6–11, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Thessaloniki, Greece |
| 🏛️ Venue | Holiday Inn Thessaloniki |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss system |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE and Greek national rating |
| 👥 Groups | A and B groups |
| 👤 Organizer | Thessaloniki Chess Academy “Lefkos Pyrgos” and Municipality of Thessaloniki |
| 🌐 Chess-Results | https://chess-results.com/tnr1420816.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament will be played over nine Swiss-system rounds. Each player receives 90 minutes for the game with a 30-second increment from move one.
The event is divided into A and B groups while remaining part of one international open program at the same venue.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| System | Swiss system |
| Rounds | 9 |
| Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| Rating Calculation | FIDE and Greek national rating |
♟️ Sections / Groups
The published player list is organized into A and B groups. Players should confirm their group assignment through the official registration and regulations.
| Section | Information |
|---|---|
| Group A | Higher-rated section |
| Group B | Second tournament group |
📝 Registration
Online registration closes on August 4, 2026. Entry fees and bank-transfer details are contained in the official regulations.
| Registration Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Registration Deadline | August 4, 2026 |
| Online Registration | https://chess-venue.vercel.app/ |
| chess.tournament.skg@gmail.com |
👤 Organizer
| Organizer Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Thessaloniki Chess Academy “Lefkos Pyrgos” and Municipality of Thessaloniki |
| Tournament Director | Stylianos Lagogiannis |
| Chief Arbiter | IA Prodromos Gerontopoulos |
| chess.tournament.skg@gmail.com |
📍 Venue
Holiday Inn Thessaloniki – Monastiriou 8, 546 29 Thessaloniki, Greece
The tournament is staged inside Holiday Inn Thessaloniki, providing a climate-controlled hotel setting with seating and common areas for players and accompanying persons.
The hotel location on Monastiriou Avenue places the venue close to the city center and Thessaloniki’s main railway area.
🚆 How to Get There
The venue can be reached by urban transport, taxi or on foot from the central railway district. Visitors arriving through Thessaloniki Airport can continue to the city center by public transport or taxi.
Players staying at the official hotel can attend rounds without a separate daily transfer.
ℹ️ Other Information
Accommodation
Holiday Inn Thessaloniki offers special rates for tournament participants. The organizer advises players to use the official accommodation information and confirm availability before making travel arrangements.
About Thessaloniki
The official event website highlights the city’s historic landmarks, waterfront, gastronomy and cultural attractions, giving accompanying family members several options between rounds.
Official Resources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Tournament Website | https://skakithessaloniki.gr/ |
Additional Details
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Thessaloniki Chess Academy “Lefkos Pyrgos”, officially known in Greek as Σκακιστική Ακαδημία Θεσσαλονίκης “Λευκός Πύργος”, is a registered chess club based in Thessaloniki, Greece. The Thessaloniki–Chalkidiki Chess Clubs Union lists the academy among its affiliated clubs under code XM83.
The academy operates from Papafi Street in central Thessaloniki. It provides chess instruction and regular playing opportunities for children, young players, and adults. Its official website presents a structured coaching team and describes an educational environment for players of different ages and experience levels.
Thessaloniki Chess Academy “Lefkos Pyrgos” also takes part in official team competitions. The club competed in the 2025 European Chess Club Cup and participates in regional youth and team championships organized through the Thessaloniki–Chalkidiki chess structure.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
The academy organizes the historic White Tower Open and the International Open SKG tournament series. The 46th White Tower Open and 8th International Open SKG took place from January 3 to 10, 2026, at Porto Palace Hotel in Thessaloniki. The academy organized the event with ESO Papafi “To Chroniko” and SA Moudanion.
The January 2026 event offered three rating groups. Groups A and B used nine-round Swiss-system formats, while Group C used seven rounds. All sections counted for FIDE and Greek Chess Federation standard ratings. The published classical time control was 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment from move one. The total prize fund was €4,000.
The academy also presents the 9th International Open SKG, scheduled for August 6–11, 2026, at Holiday Inn Thessaloniki. Chess-Results lists separate A and B groups, while the official tournament website provides registration, regulations, accommodation information, and direct tournament contact details.
The club also organizes smaller local and youth events. Confirmed activities include junior team tournaments, rapid competitions, blitz events, artistic chess activities, and a university rapid tournament organized with the University of Macedonia chess team. These events extend the academy’s work beyond its main international tournaments.
🌍 Chess Training and Community
Thessaloniki Chess Academy “Lefkos Pyrgos” combines tournament organization with regular chess education. Its official website lists coaches who support both academy training and the club’s competitive teams. The program gives beginners a place to learn while allowing experienced players to prepare for official competitions.
The academy often works with ESO Papafi “To Chroniko,” SA Moudanion, the Thessaloniki–Chalkidiki Chess Clubs Union, local institutions, and tournament venues. The Greek Chess Federation has confirmed the academy’s involvement in national junior championship events held in Thessaloniki.
Its international tournaments bring rated classical chess to Thessaloniki, while its club program supports regular training and local competition. The academy publishes tournament announcements, registration details, pairings, results, photographs, and practical information through its official website and social-media pages.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
