Dragones-Playitas Chess Festival 2026
Dragones-Playitas Chess Festival 2026 combines the VI Nocturnal Blitz Dragones-Playitas and the VI Active Tournament at Playitas Resort in Fuerteventura. The blitz memorial runs on September 25, while the FIDE-rated rapid event follows on September 26 and 27. Moreover, the shared venue, organizer team, and entry package make the two tournaments one coherent festival program.
The blitz uses nine Swiss rounds at 3+2, while the rapid uses nine Swiss rounds at 10+5. Henar Villa García serves as tournament director, and IA Pablo Arranz Martín acts as chief arbiter. Therefore, players should register by September 18 at 20:00, confirm acceptance, and plan transport carefully because the blitz begins late in the evening.
📌 Event Details
| 📅 Festival Dates | September 25–27, 2026 |
| 🌍 Location | Las Playitas, Tuineje, Fuerteventura, Spain |
| 📍 Venue | Playitas Resort – Las Playitas s/n, 35629 Tuineje, Fuerteventura, Spain |
| 🏢 Organizers | Cabildo de Fuerteventura / CA Dragones de Fuerteventura / CD de Ajedrez Henar y sus Dragones |
| 👤 Tournament Director | Henar Villa García |
| ⚖️ Chief Arbiter | IA Pablo Arranz Martín |
| ⚖️ Deputy Arbiter | Henar Villa García |
| ♟️ Format | Nocturnal blitz plus two-day rapid tournament |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 blitz rounds and 9 rapid rounds |
| ⏱️ Blitz Time Control | 3 minutes plus 2 seconds per move |
| ⏱️ Rapid Time Control | 10 minutes plus 5 seconds per move |
| 📊 Rating | FIDE blitz and FIDE rapid rating |
| 📝 Registration Deadline | September 18, 2026 at 20:00 |
| 🔗 Chess-Results – Blitz | https://chess-results.com/tnr1399685.aspx?lan=1 |
| 🔗 Chess-Results – Rapid | https://chess-results.com/tnr1399686.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The nocturnal blitz uses nine Swiss rounds at 3+2 and contributes to FIDE blitz rating. The rapid tournament uses nine Swiss rounds at 10+5 and contributes to FIDE rapid rating.
Consequently, participants should check that their FIDE ID and federation appear correctly in both relevant files. The arbiter team applies the official tie-break and prize rules from each tournament’s regulations.
🏆 Prize Fund
The official blitz regulations publish a total of €2,770 for that section. However, a complete combined cash total for both the blitz and rapid tournaments has not been verified, so the dedicated festival prize-fund field remains blank.
The blitz awards include overall and special categories under non-cumulative rules and participation conditions. Therefore, players should review the official PDF for the complete original-currency distribution and confirm the separate rapid awards.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility / Dates | Format / Award |
|---|---|---|
| VI Nocturnal Blitz / IV Pedro Calero Memorial | September 25 | 9 rounds, 3+2, FIDE blitz |
| VI Active Dragones-Playitas | September 26–27 | 9 rounds, 10+5, FIDE rapid |
Players may enter one tournament or the full festival package. However, they must verify the applicable fee and acceptance for each section.
The blitz regulations publish special and island-related awards. Consequently, eligible players should confirm all participation and residency conditions before the event.
🗓️ Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| September 25 | 21:15 | Blitz attendance confirmation |
| September 25 | 21:30 | Blitz Round 1; nine-round nocturnal program |
| September 26 | 16:45 | Published rapid-event start window |
| September 26–27 | According to final pairing schedule | Nine rapid rounds |
| September 27 | By approximately 14:00 | Published rapid-event completion window |
The blitz starts late, so participants should arrange a safe return to their room after the final round. Therefore, staying at or near Playitas Resort can simplify the night transfer.
The rapid listing gives the event window from September 26 at 16:45 until September 27 at 14:00. In addition, players should consult the final regulations for individual round times.
📝 Registration
Registration closes on September 18, 2026 at 20:00. Players can contact the organizer at henarysusdragones@gmail.com or +34 636 117 399.
The published blitz fee is €30, while the combined blitz-and-rapid package costs €50. Moreover, titled players and eligible club participants may receive free entry under the official conditions.
👤 Organizer
The festival works through the Fuerteventura chess-organizing network, including CA Dragones de Fuerteventura and CD de Ajedrez Henar y sus Dragones. Henar Villa García manages the tournament, while IA Pablo Arranz Martín leads the arbiting team.
The organizer publishes regional event information and tournament regulations. Therefore, participants should monitor direct messages for acceptance, transfer details, and any schedule adjustment.
📍 Venue
Playitas Resort – Las Playitas s/n, 35629 Tuineje, Fuerteventura, Spain.
The resort sits on the southeast coast of Fuerteventura and combines sports facilities with several accommodation formats. Consequently, on-site lodging can reduce festival transport.
The venue lies outside the island’s main airport area. Therefore, international and inter-island visitors should plan the airport transfer in advance.
🚗 How to Get There
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| From Fuerteventura Airport | Continue by rental car, taxi, private transfer, or a bus combination through Puerto del Rosario or Gran Tarajal. Allow substantial transfer time. |
| By island bus | Check TITSA/Tiadhe interurban services toward Gran Tarajal and Las Playitas, then confirm the final resort connection through Tiadhe. |
| By car | Use the island road network toward Tuineje and Las Playitas. Enter Playitas Resort as the destination and follow resort parking instructions. |
| Late-night blitz | Confirm how you will return after the nocturnal rounds. Public transport may not match the final finishing time. |
| Resort arrival | Ask the organizer which reception or hall entrance handles chess-event check-in. |
Transport schedules, road conditions, and parking rules can change. Therefore, participants should verify the final route shortly before departure and keep the organizer’s contact details available.
🏨 Accommodation Near the Venue
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Playitas Hotel | Official site: https://www.playitas.net/en/playitas-hotel. An on-site option with the simplest festival transfer. |
| Playitas Aparthotel | Official site: https://www.playitas.net/en/playitas-aparthotel. Another on-site format for longer or group stays. |
| R2 Bahía Playa Design Hotel & Spa | Official site: https://www.r2hotels.com/en/r2-bahia-playa-design-hotel-spa/. A nearby coastal alternative; verify the transfer to Playitas Resort. |
| Gran Tarajal | The town offers additional accommodation. However, players need a reliable transfer after the late blitz. |
Accommodation is not included unless the organizer confirms otherwise. Consequently, participants should verify price, availability, cancellation terms, breakfast hours, and the exact transfer to the venue directly with the property.
ℹ️ Other Information
- The combined page covers the official blitz and rapid files.
- The blitz honors Pedro Calero.
- Both sections contribute to FIDE rating in their respective formats.
- The blitz begins at 21:30.
- The published blitz cash total equals €2,770, but the full festival total remains unverified.
- Special prizes follow eligibility and non-cumulative conditions.
- The package fee covers both sections under the published blitz regulations.
- Players should solve late-night transport before arrival.
✅ Final Checks Before Travel
Before departure, participants should recheck the official player list, current regulations, venue address, and organizer messages. Moreover, they should save the route and leave enough time for check-in.
Tournament information can change as registration closes. Therefore, the latest official notice takes priority over preliminary listings. In addition, players should reconfirm round times, section placement, fees, awards, and transport shortly before the event.
Finally, visitors should keep the organizer’s contact details available during the journey. Consequently, they can resolve a late venue change, delayed connection, or entry question without relying on an older document.
🔗 Official Resources
Additional Details
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Club Deportivo de Ajedrez Henar y sus Dragones is an active chess organization based in Puerto del Rosario on the island of Fuerteventura, Spain. Tournament listings also refer to the organization as CA Dragones de Fuerteventura or simply Dragones Fuerteventura.
The club promotes competitive and recreational chess among children, adults, beginners, and experienced tournament players. Its members represent Fuerteventura in individual events, island championships, and team competitions across the Canary Islands.
Henar Villa García is the club’s principal chess organizer and tournament director. She also works as an arbiter and school chess instructor. Her responsibilities include registrations, participant communication, tournament planning, and cooperation with regional chess authorities.
The club works regularly with the Canary Islands Chess Federation, the Fuerteventura Chess Delegation, the Cabildo de Fuerteventura, local municipalities, Playitas Resort, and other community partners.
🏆 Tournaments and Competitive Chess
The club’s main event is the annual Dragones-Playitas Chess Festival at Playitas Resort in Tuineje. The program combines a nocturnal FIDE-rated blitz tournament with a two-day FIDE-rated rapid competition.
The series began in 2021 and has developed into an established event on the Canary Islands chess circuit. It attracts titled players, adult club competitors, juniors, and visitors from several islands and international federations.
The Dragones-Playitas Chess Festival 2026 takes place from September 25 to 27. Henar Villa García serves as Tournament Director, while International Arbiter Pablo A. Arranz Martín serves as Chief Arbiter.
The club also organizes Demos un Jaque Mate al Cáncer, a recurring charity rapid tournament. Entry contributions and donations through the event’s “board zero” initiative support the Spanish Association Against Cancer.
In addition, Henar y sus Dragones participates in the Fuerteventura Island Team Championship and the Canary Islands team competition structure. These events give club members regular opportunities to represent Fuerteventura against players from other islands.
🌱 Chess Training and Community Activities
The organization supports chess instruction for children and developing players from its Puerto del Rosario venue. Training activities cover the rules, tactics, strategy, practical play, and preparation for official competitions.
The club has also organized specialist training sessions with titled players. These activities give local juniors access to stronger coaching without requiring regular travel to another Canary Island.
Young members participate in island and regional age-group championships. They can also progress into adult team events, rapid tournaments, and FIDE-rated competitions as their experience increases.
Through tournaments, training, team participation, and charity events, Club Deportivo de Ajedrez Henar y sus Dragones helps maintain an active chess community in Fuerteventura. Moreover, its recurring competitions connect local players with the wider Canary Islands chess circuit.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
