The Davos Chess Festival 2026 will take place from 12–14 June 2026 at Mountain Plaza Hotel in Davos, Switzerland. This is a chess tournament in Davos, Switzerland, in 2026.
The event offers a compact classical chess weekend in the Swiss Alps. Players can enjoy five FIDE-rated rounds, a clear weekend schedule, and a practical hotel venue in Davos Platz.
Swiss Chess Tour organizes the tournament as part of its wider Swiss event program. Therefore, the festival suits players who want rated classical games and an alpine chess trip without a long tournament stay.
📌 Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | 12–14 June 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Davos, Switzerland |
| 🏟️ Venue | Mountain Plaza Hotel****, Oberwiesstrasse 3, 7270 Davos Platz, Switzerland |
| ♟️ Format | Swiss Dutch FIDE System |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE / CH / DWZ Standard rated |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move |
| ⏰ Default Time | 60 minutes |
| 🧮 Main Tie-break | Total Buchholz |
| 🏁 Section | General Open |
| 💰 Prize Fund | CHF 2,400, approx. $3,060 |
| 🏢 Organizer | Swiss Chess Tour |
| 🧾 Entry Fee | CHF 100 / CHF 80 for U16, IM, and GM players |
| 🌐 Chess-Results | https://chess-results.com/tnr1215224.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The Davos Chess Festival 2026 uses a classical time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move. As a result, players get enough time for serious over-the-board games across the full weekend.
The tournament follows the Swiss Dutch FIDE System. It has five rounds and counts for FIDE, Swiss CH, and DWZ standard ratings. The first technical tie-break is Total Buchholz.
Players may request one half-point bye during the first three rounds. However, they should arrange this with the organizer before the relevant pairing.
💰 Prize Fund
Prize Fund Overview
The total confirmed prize fund is CHF 2,400, approx. $3,060.
The prize fund applies from 25 players. If the number of players is lower, the organizer may adjust the prize fund pro rata.
| Prize Category | Prize Details |
|---|---|
| Main prizes | CHF 400 / CHF 300 / CHF 200 / CHF 150 |
| 2000–2199 Elo | CHF 150 / CHF 120 / CHF 50 Swiss Chess Tour voucher |
| 1800–1999 Elo | CHF 150 / CHF 120 / CHF 50 Swiss Chess Tour voucher |
| 1600–1799 Elo | CHF 150 / CHF 120 / CHF 50 Swiss Chess Tour voucher |
| Under 1600 Elo | CHF 150 / CHF 120 / CHF 50 Swiss Chess Tour voucher |
Category prizes depend on minimum participation in each rating band. The CHF 150 prize requires at least three players, the CHF 120 prize requires at least five players, and the voucher prize requires at least eight players.
♟️ Sections / Groups
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| General Open | One open classical section with five Swiss-system rounds |
All players compete in the same General Open. In addition, rating category prizes create extra targets for club players in several Elo bands.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Activity | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 12 June 2026 | Check-in | 18:00–19:15 |
| Friday, 12 June 2026 | Round 1 | 19:30 |
| Saturday, 13 June 2026 | Round 2 | 09:00 |
| Saturday, 13 June 2026 | Round 3 | 15:00 |
| Sunday, 14 June 2026 | Round 4 | 09:00 |
| Sunday, 14 June 2026 | Round 5 | 14:00 |
| Sunday, 14 June 2026 | Awards | After Round 5 |
📝 Registration
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Standard Entry Fee | CHF 100 |
| U16 / IM / GM Entry Fee | CHF 80 |
| Check-in | Friday, 12 June 2026, 18:00–19:15 |
| Default Time | 60 minutes |
| Bye Option | One half-point bye may be requested in the first three rounds |
| Registration Contact | swisschesstour@bluewin.ch |
Players should complete registration before traveling to Davos. In addition, they should arrive in time for Friday check-in, since the first round starts the same evening.
🏢 Organizer
Swiss Chess Tour organizes the Davos Chess Festival as part of its Swiss tournament program. The organizer runs rated chess events across Switzerland and offers practical formats for weekend players, traveling competitors, and club-level participants.
Email: swisschesstour@bluewin.ch
Website: https://www.swisschesstour.com
🏟️ Venue
Mountain Plaza Hotel****, Oberwiesstrasse 3, 7270 Davos Platz, Switzerland
The tournament venue is Mountain Plaza Hotel in Davos Platz. The hotel setting makes the event convenient for players who want to stay close to the playing hall. It also gives visitors easy access to the mountain town’s hotels, restaurants, and transport links.
🛏️ Accommodation
Players can stay at Mountain Plaza Hotel or choose other accommodation in Davos Platz. The venue hotel offers rooms, restaurants, wellness facilities, and guest services in the same building area as the tournament.
Because Davos is a popular alpine destination, early booking is recommended for tournament weekend stays.
🚉 How to Get There
Davos Platz is the most useful railway stop for this tournament. Players traveling by train can reach Davos through Landquart and continue with the RhB rail connection to Davos Platz.
Drivers can travel toward Davos Platz and use the local road network to reach Oberwiesstrasse. Since parking availability can change during busy weekends, players should check hotel parking options before arrival.
The Davos Chess Festival 2026 combines classical chess, a focused weekend schedule, and a scenic Swiss mountain setting.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $3,060
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
SWISS CHESS TOUR is a Swiss chess tournament organizer led by Claudio Boschetti and based in Melano Val Mara, Ticino, Switzerland. The project focuses on over-the-board chess events in Switzerland and has built a clear identity around tournaments in attractive Swiss destinations. Its calendar connects mountain resorts, lakeside venues, city hotels, and weekend chess formats across several regions.
The organizer works as a touring chess brand rather than a single local chess club. This gives players a consistent event structure in many Swiss locations. In practice, participants can follow the same organizer from one tournament to another while enjoying different venues, formats, and travel settings.
SWISS CHESS TOUR is especially useful for players who want well-planned chess trips. The events often combine FIDE-rated play with hotel venues, compact schedules, and practical accommodation options. Therefore, the organizer serves club players, amateur competitors, older players, juniors, and traveling chess enthusiasts who want reliable tournament conditions in Switzerland.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
SWISS CHESS TOUR organizes a broad tournament program throughout the year. Its activity includes classical opens, amateur tournaments, senior events, weekend festivals, and compact 2Days formats. The calendar regularly features events in places such as Basel, Davos, Flims, Lenzerheide, Lugano, Mendrisio, Serpiano, Stein am Rhein, Schaffhausen, and the Zürichsee area.
The organizer is also connected with important Swiss chess events. These include the Bundesturnier, which gives Swiss and international players a structured multi-section tournament with classical games and official rating opportunities. In addition, SWISS CHESS TOUR runs many accessible weekend events, which help busy players add serious chess to a short trip.
This variety gives the organizer a strong national role. Players can choose between longer festivals, weekend opens, senior-friendly tournaments, and rating-based amateur sections. Moreover, many events use hotel venues, clear schedules, and experienced arbiters. As a result, SWISS CHESS TOUR offers a practical route into chess tournaments in Switzerland for many types of players.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Players who join SWISS CHESS TOUR events can expect a travel-friendly and professionally managed chess environment. The organizer often selects venues that work well for both chess and tourism. This approach helps participants combine competitive games with a pleasant stay in Switzerland.
The tournament formats also suit different chess goals. Strong players can look for serious classical competition. Amateur players can choose rating-based sections. Older players can join events designed around a comfortable rhythm. Meanwhile, weekend formats give working players a realistic way to compete without taking a long break.
For players searching for Swiss chess tournaments, FIDE-rated events, or chess weekends in scenic locations, SWISS CHESS TOUR offers a reliable and recognizable option. Its mix of regular events, established venues, practical formats, and experienced organization gives it a clear place in the Swiss tournament scene.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
