Cannes Chess Open 2026
The Cannes Chess Open 2026, held within the 39th Festival International des Jeux de la Ville de Cannes, runs from Monday, February 23 to Sunday, March 1, 2026 in Cannes, France. Three strong FIDE- and FFE-rated tournaments (A, B, and C) unfold over nine classical rounds in the Salon des Ambassadeurs at the Palais des Festivals. The event combines a prestigious setting with a serious competitive structure, including norm chances for highly rated players in the top section.
Players select among Tournaments A, B, or C based on their rating, with flexible crossover options near the thresholds. A total prize fund of €10,000 plus special prizes, generous category awards, and live broadcast of the top boards create a professional and engaging festival atmosphere on the French Riviera.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | February 23–March 1, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Palais des Festivals, Salon des Ambassadeurs, Cannes, France |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss in three separate tournaments |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes for 40 moves + 30 minutes for the rest, with a 30-second increment from move 1 |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE- and FFE-rated; norm opportunities in Tournament A |
| 📂 Sections | Tournament A (≥2200); Tournament B (≤2100); Tournament C (≤1600) |
| 💳 Entry fee | Seniors €75; Juniors €45; early and on-site variations apply |
| 💰 Prize fund | €10,000 total plus special prizes |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Up to two half-point byes allowed in Rounds 1–6; top boards broadcast online |
🏆 Prize Fund
Total prize pool: €10,000 + special prizes.
Tournament A (≥2200):
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €1,800 + trophy |
| 2nd | €1,200 + cup |
| 3rd | €700 + cup |
| 4th | €550 |
| 5th | €400 |
| 6th | €300 |
| 7th | €250 |
| 8th | €150 |
| Best female | €100 |
| Category + performance + local prizes | €350 total |
Tournament B (≤2100):
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €600 + trophy |
| 2nd | €500 + cup |
| 3rd | €400 + cup |
| 4th | €300 |
| 5th | €200 |
| 6th | €100 |
| Best female | €80 |
| Category + performance + local prizes | €300 total |
Tournament C (≤1600):
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €300 + trophy |
| 2nd | €200 + cup |
| 3rd | €100 + cup |
| 4th | €80 |
| 5th | €60 |
| 6th | €50 |
| Best female | €50 |
| Category + performance + local prizes | €280 total |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
All tournaments use the same classical time control:
• 90 minutes for 40 moves
• 30 minutes for the rest of the game
• 30-second increment from move 1
Each section runs as a 9-round Swiss and counts for FIDE and French federation ratings. Tournament A offers opportunities for international title norms.
Players may request up to two half-point byes in Rounds 1–6.
Top boards are broadcast live throughout the festival.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tournament A | Elo ≥ 2200 | Norm possibilities; players rated 2100–2200 may choose A or B |
| Tournament B | Elo ≤ 2100 | Players rated 2100–2200 may choose A or B |
| Tournament C | Elo ≤ 1600 | Players rated 1600–1700 may choose B or C |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 23, 2026 | Monday | 12:00–14:30 | Check-in |
| February 23, 2026 | Monday | 16:30 | Round 1 |
| February 24, 2026 | Tuesday | 09:00 | Round 2 |
| February 24, 2026 | Tuesday | 16:00 | Round 3 |
| February 25, 2026 | Wednesday | 15:00 | Round 4 |
| February 26, 2026 | Thursday | 09:00 | Round 5 |
| February 26, 2026 | Thursday | 16:00 | Round 6 |
| February 27, 2026 | Friday | 15:00 | Round 7 |
| February 28, 2026 | Saturday | 15:00 | Round 8 |
| March 1, 2026 | Sunday | 10:00 | Round 9 |
| March 1, 2026 | Sunday | 16:30 | Prize-giving ceremony |
📝 Registration
Fees:
• Seniors: €75
• Juniors: €45
Early registration (before January 23, 2026):
• Seniors: €65
• Juniors: €35
On-site registration:
• Seniors: €85
• Juniors: €50
Grandmasters and International Masters do not pay an entry fee.
Registration must be completed before the mandatory check-in on Monday between 12:00 and 14:30.
👥 Organizer
Association Cannes Échecs manages the entire event, including registration, pairings, broadcasting, and communication.
Email: info@cannes-echecs.fr
Phone: +33 4 93 39 41 39
Mobile: +33 6 79 65 32 31
Website: https://www.cannes-echecs.fr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/canneschessclub/
Address: Association Cannes Échecs, 3 Avenue du Petit Juas, 06400 Cannes, France
🏨 Venue
All games take place in the Salon des Ambassadeurs of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. The venue offers a spacious, well-lit playing area inside one of the city’s major event centers, with the broader Festival International des Jeux happening in adjacent halls.
🚗 How to Get There
Cannes has excellent transport connections along the French Riviera. Players arriving by rail or road can reach the city center easily, then walk to the Palais des Festivals along the waterfront. Clear signage directs participants to the Salon des Ambassadeurs.
The Cannes Chess Open 2026 gives players a week of high-level, FIDE-rated classical chess with generous prizes and the lively atmosphere of one of Europe’s premier gaming festivals.
🧾 Other
• The event is held under the patronage of the French Chess Federation.
• Daily chess presentations and activities take place at the Cannes Échecs stand inside the Palais des Festivals.