Championnat ouvert du Québec 2026
Championnat ouvert du Québec 2026 (COQ) takes place on July 21-26, 2026 in Longueuil, Canada. This major summer event brings together titled players, experienced club competitors, ambitious juniors, and improving players for six days of serious over-the-board chess near Montreal.
This is a chess tournament in Longueuil, Canada, in 2026. The event features five rating sections, a classical time control, and a strong confirmed cash prize package. Therefore, it gives players across a wide rating range a clear and competitive format.
In addition, the tournament uses a practical hotel venue, a compact nine-round schedule, and flexible entry-fee stages. As a result, Championnat ouvert du Québec 2026 (COQ) stands out as one of the key summer chess events in Quebec for players who want a full classical tournament with broad section coverage.
🏁 Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | Championnat ouvert du Québec 2026 (COQ) |
| 📅 Dates | July 21-26, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Longueuil, Canada |
| 🏨 Venue | Sandman Hotel Montreal-Longueuil, 999 Rue de Serigny, Longueuil, Quebec J4K 2T1, Canada |
| 👤 Organizer | Fédération québécoise des échecs |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss tournament |
| 🧩 Sections | A, B, C, D, E |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes for the game with a 30-second increment from move 1 |
| ✅ Rating | Sections A and B: FQE, CFC, and FIDE rated; Sections C, D, and E: FQE rated |
| 💵 Prize fund | CAD 15,345 confirmed cash prizes (approximate USD 11,200) |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a classical chess time control of 90 minutes for the full game with a 30-second increment from move one. Pairings follow the Swiss system across nine rounds. Consequently, players get enough games to build meaningful final standings over a compact six-day schedule.
Moreover, the five-section structure helps keep pairings more balanced across the full field. Sections A and B also carry the broader rating recognition, while Sections C, D, and E remain part of the provincial rating structure. Therefore, the event works well for both stronger competitors and developing players.
🏆 Prize Fund
Championnat ouvert du Québec 2026 (COQ) offers CAD 15,345 in confirmed cash prizes. The published prize structure covers all five sections and also includes a separate Raymond Petit beauty prize. Therefore, the event rewards both strong final results and standout games.
| Section | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Class prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A (Open) | CAD 3,000 | CAD 2,000 | CAD 1,000 | CAD 500 | Under 2300: CAD 250 |
| B (-2200) | CAD 1,500 | CAD 1,000 | CAD 500 | CAD 300 | Under 2000: CAD 200 |
| C (-1900) | CAD 1,000 | CAD 500 | CAD 300 | CAD 200 | Under 1700: CAD 90 |
| D (-1600) | CAD 750 | CAD 350 | CAD 200 | CAD 100 | Under 1400: CAD 80 |
| E (-1300) | CAD 500 | CAD 250 | CAD 125 | CAD 80 | Under 1100: CAD 70 |
In addition, the Raymond Petit beauty prize is worth CAD 500. As a result, the tournament offers prize opportunities across the full rating spectrum rather than only at the top of the standings.
♟️ Sections / Groups
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| A | Open section |
| B | For players rated under 2200 |
| C | For players rated under 1900 |
| D | For players rated under 1600 |
| E | For players rated under 1300 |
The event uses five sections, which gives players a clearer competitive range from the top group down to the entry-level section. Therefore, the tournament remains accessible while still offering a strong open section for higher-rated players.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, July 21, 2026 | 12:00 PM | Round 1 |
| Tuesday, July 21, 2026 | 6:00 PM | Round 2 |
| Wednesday, July 22, 2026 | 6:00 PM | Round 3 |
| Thursday, July 23, 2026 | 6:00 PM | Round 4 |
| Friday, July 24, 2026 | 12:00 PM | Round 5 |
| Friday, July 24, 2026 | 6:00 PM | Round 6 |
| Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 10:00 AM | Round 7 |
| Sunday, July 26, 2026 | 10:00 AM | Round 8 |
| Sunday, July 26, 2026 | 3:00 PM | Round 9 |
The schedule begins with a double round on the opening day and later adds another double-round day on Friday. However, the final two days slow the rhythm slightly. As a result, players get a serious nine-round event without an overly long festival format.
📝 Registration
| Section | Before April 1 | Before June 1 | Before July 21 | On site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A (Open) | CAD 120 | CAD 140 | CAD 170 | CAD 200 |
| B (-2200) | CAD 100 | CAD 120 | CAD 150 | CAD 180 |
| C (-1900) | CAD 90 | CAD 110 | CAD 140 | CAD 170 |
| D (-1600) | CAD 80 | CAD 100 | CAD 130 | CAD 160 |
| E (-1300) | CAD 70 | CAD 90 | CAD 120 | CAD 150 |
On-site registration is available between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM on July 21. Therefore, players can still enter at the venue, although the earlier fee stages clearly offer better value. In addition, the tiered pricing makes early registration the more practical choice for most participants.
👤 Organizer
Fédération québécoise des échecs presents this major open as part of its annual competition calendar in Quebec. The event structure is clear, the section system is broad, and the schedule supports a full competitive week. Therefore, players can expect an organized and accessible tournament environment.
- Phone: +1 514 252 3034
- Email: info@fqechecs.qc.ca
📍 Venue
Sandman Hotel Montreal-Longueuil, 999 Rue de Serigny, Longueuil, Quebec J4K 2T1, Canada
The tournament takes place at the Sandman Hotel Montreal-Longueuil. The hotel setting suits a multi-section classical event well, and it also gives players a practical base for several consecutive days of competition.
🚗 How to Get There
The venue is in Longueuil, so players can use the full hotel address for direct navigation before the first round. In addition, the Montreal-area location makes arrival easier for both local players and visitors coming from elsewhere in Quebec or from outside the province.
Championnat ouvert du Québec 2026 (COQ) offers a broad section structure, a strong prize package, and a serious classical format for players who want competitive summer chess in Quebec.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - $11,200
Date And Time
26-07-2026
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Organizer
Fédération québécoise des échecs is the provincial chess federation of Québec and one of the main chess governing bodies in Canada. Founded in 1967, it leads organized chess across the province through membership services, ratings, tournament administration, and structured support for clubs, players, arbiters, and organizers. It also gives Québec chess a clear institutional base and a unified public identity.
The federation runs a broad chess ecosystem. It oversees federation tournaments, supports the Tour du Québec, publishes the Échec+ magazine, and maintains services for ratings, pairings, training, and club development. In addition, it helps connect local chess activity across many regions of Québec. Because of that, it plays both an administrative role and a development role in the province’s chess life.
Its public structure is also clear. Éric J. Guipi Bopala serves as president, while Alexandre Ber is listed as directeur général. For organizer-profile purposes, Alexandre Ber is the strongest main contact person because he stands closest to the federation’s day-to-day operations and organizer-facing communication. This leadership structure gives the federation both strategic direction and practical operational continuity.
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