Elite Chess Open Israel 2026
Elite Chess Open Israel 2026 runs March 8-17, 2026 across Kfar Saba and Ashdod, Israel, delivering a high-level international open built for strong professionals who want serious classical games and real GM/IM norm opportunities. The event targets FIDE Elo 2300+ players and adds a limited number of invited participants from the organizing clubs, creating a competitive field with strong norm potential and consistent playing conditions. You play nine Swiss rounds under classical time controls with increment, and the organizers apply Sofia Rules to keep games fighting and decisive.
The tournament spreads play across two established chess club venues, with Rounds 1–5 in Kfar Saba and Rounds 6–9 in Ashdod, and it supports players with practical travel guidance and club-level logistics. The organizers publish a clear prize structure and enforce non-cumulative awards to keep the competition fair across the field. The total cash prize fund is $13,000 (approximately $13,000 USD).
🗓️ Event Details
| 📅 Dates | March 8-17, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Kfar Saba & Ashdod, Israel |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss System |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated |
| 📂 Sections | Open (Elite, classical) |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes to finish, with a 30-second increment from move 1 |
| 💳 Entry fee | Varies by rating and title (USD 125–320; free for 2400+ and GM/WGM; see Registration) |
| 💰 Prize fund | $13,000 |
| 👤 Eligibility | FIDE Elo above 2300; limited number of 2150–2300 players from organizing clubs |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Default time: 30 minutes; Sofia Rules apply (no draw offers before move 30); first 12 games broadcast |
| Chess-results.com | https://s1.chess-results.com/tnr1325193.aspx?lan=1&turdet=YES&SNode=S0 |
🏆 Prize Fund
The tournament offers a total cash prize fund of $13,000. A player can win only one prize, and the tournament awards no shared prizes. The organizers determine rating prizes using the March 1 rating list.
Main prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $3,000 + cup |
| 2nd | $2,200 + cup |
| 3rd | $1,500 + cup |
| 4th | $1,250 |
| 5th | $1,000 |
| 6th | $500 |
| 7th | $250 |
| 8th | $250 |
| 9th | $250 |
| 10th | $250 |
Category prizes
| Category | Prize | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Top Women | $500 + cup | Minimum 3 women |
| Top Youth Under 18 | $300 + cup | |
| Top Senior Above 50 | $250 + cup | Minimum 5 seniors |
| Rating Prize U2500 | $500 | |
| Rating Prize U2400 | $250 | |
| Best Surprising Player | $250 | Largest gap between performance and rating |
| Top players from organizing clubs | $125 each | Special prize |
Tie-break system: head-to-head, then Buchholz Cut 1, then performance. If players tie for first place on points, the tournament plays an Armageddon game to decide the champion between the top two players.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The event plays a 9-round Swiss System. Each game uses 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 30 minutes to finish, with a 30-second increment from move 1. The default time is 30 minutes.
The tournament applies Sofia Rules, so players cannot offer a draw before move 30. The organizers broadcast the first 12 games. The event applies anti-cheating measures.
📂 Sections / Groups
The tournament runs as a single elite open section designed primarily for FIDE Elo 2300+ players, with limited additional seats for select players from the organizing clubs.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 8, 2026 | Sunday | 14:00 | Opening ceremony (arrive by 13:30) |
| March 8, 2026 | Sunday | 14:15 | Round 1 |
| March 9, 2026 | Monday | 10:00 | Round 2 |
| March 9, 2026 | Monday | 17:00 | Round 3 |
| March 10, 2026 | Tuesday | 14:00 | Round 4 |
| March 11, 2026 | Wednesday | Free day | |
| March 12, 2026 | Thursday | 14:00 | Round 5 |
| March 13, 2026 | Friday | Free day | |
| March 14, 2026 | Saturday | 19:00 | Round 6 |
| March 15, 2026 | Sunday | 14:00 | Round 7 |
| March 16, 2026 | Monday | 14:00 | Round 8 |
| March 17, 2026 | Tuesday | 11:00 | Round 9 |
| March 17, 2026 | Tuesday | 17:00 (approx.) | Closing ceremony |
📝 Registration
| Registration deadline | February 3, 2026 (limited places; after this date, entry depends on availability) |
| How to register | Contact the registration organizer by email or phone |
| Entry fee (players from abroad, USD) | U-2299: $320; 2300–2399: $260; 2400+: free; IM/WIM: $125; GM/WGM: free |
| Entry fee (Israeli players, NIS) | U-2299: 1000 NIS; 2300–2399: 800 NIS; 2400+: 600 NIS; IM/WIM: 400 NIS; GM/WGM: free |
| Discount | 15% discount for club members of Ashdod, Rishon LeZion, Ramat Gan, and Kfar Saba |
For registration: EliteChess.israel@gmail.com | +972-546850024
👥 Organizer
Elite Chess Open Israel 2026 operates as a joint project of leading Israeli chess clubs and the Israeli Chess Federation to host a high-level international open with classical time controls, norm opportunities, and a structured prize system. The organizing committee coordinates registration, venue operations across two cities, and practical support for visiting players through direct organizer contacts.
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Email: EliteChess.israel@gmail.com
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Phone: +972-546850024
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Email: kamiram@inter.net.il
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Phone: +972-546799203
🏨 Venue
Kfar Saba Chess Club, 4–6 Geller Street, Kfar Saba, Israel
Ashdod Chess Club, HaErez 5 Street, Ashdod, Israel
Rounds 1–5 are played in Kfar Saba, and Rounds 6–9 are played in Ashdod.
🛎️ Accommodation
For foreign National League players, hosting clubs manage accommodation individually. The tournament management aims to rent apartments at a reasonable cost, and it offers free transport to venues when players arrange apartments in advance.
🚗 How to Get There
For Kfar Saba, public transport provides easy access from Tel Aviv and central Israel. Direct buses run from Tel Aviv to Kfar Saba, including lines 149 and 567, and trains run frequently toward Hod-Hasharon–Sokolov station. From Hod-Hasharon–Sokolov, the club at 4–6 Geller Street is about a 10–15 minute walk.
For Ashdod, public transport also provides easy access from Tel Aviv and central Israel. Direct buses run from Tel Aviv to Ashdod, including line 320, and trains run frequently toward Ashdod Ad Halom. From Ashdod Ad Halom station, the club is a short taxi ride or local bus ride.
Play a disciplined classical schedule across two Israeli chess hubs and push for a peak performance over nine demanding rounds.
🧾 Other
The organizers broadcast the first 12 games. The tournament applies anti-cheating measures and enforces Sofia Rules, so players cannot offer a draw before move 30. The event accepts casual dress, including jeans. The organizers may make changes if necessary.
