The Fourth International Chess Tournament Club Caissa Guatemala 2027 takes place from January 6–10, 2027 in Guatemala City. Asociación Club de Ajedrez Caissa Guatemala organizes the fourth edition with the support of Rotary Club Guatemala “Las Americas” and the endorsement of the National Chess Federation of Guatemala. The tournament welcomes international players and titled competitors to one of Club Caissa’s principal annual events.

Players compete in one Open section limited to 155 participants. The tournament uses nine Swiss rounds with a classical time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move from move one. Moreover, Swiss-Manager produces the pairings, while five published tie-break criteria determine the final ranking when players finish level on points.

The organizer guarantees an impressive $11,000 prize fund, including $2,500 for first place. In addition, the tournament offers prizes for Guatemalan players, women, Club Caissa members, several rating groups, and junior age categories. Therefore, the event combines a substantial international open prize structure with opportunities for players across a wide range of ratings.

📌 Event Details

The event regulations give the Organizing Committee the right of admission. Consequently, registration is not complete merely because a player sends payment. Players should receive the organizer’s registration confirmation before making final tournament arrangements.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament uses the Swiss system over nine rounds. Each player receives 90 minutes for the game plus a 30-second increment after every move from move one.

Swiss-Manager produces the pairings. Moreover, the organizer publishes the results after every round. Players must report an incorrect result to the Chief Arbiter before the beginning of the relevant following round.

Tie-Breaks

The tournament applies the following tie-break order:

The regulations do not divide prizes between tied players. Instead, the published tie-break system determines the final ranking and corresponding prizes.

Default Time & Absences

The waiting time is 30 minutes. Therefore, players should be seated and ready to play before the scheduled beginning of each round.

Only one justified absence is allowed during the tournament.

Importantly, the organizer will make the Round 1 pairings only with players who are physically present in the playing room.

Half-Point Byes

A player may request up to two half-point byes, but the regulations restrict those byes exclusively to:

Players must submit the request at least 24 hours before the tournament begins.

No half-point bye is offered for the other rounds.

Draw Offers

Players may not agree to a draw:

• before move 25, or
• during the first hour of play.

Therefore, players must respect both conditions in the published regulations before agreeing to a draw.

Electronic Devices

The regulations prohibit electronic devices during tournament games.

Bringing an electronic device into the playing room may result in loss of the game. Players should therefore follow the arbiter team’s instructions regarding phones, smartwatches, tablets, headphones, and other electronic equipment.

🏆 Prize Fund

The tournament guarantees a total of $11,000 in prizes.

Overall Prizes

The first nine overall prizes total $8,700.

Special Prizes

Club Member Prizes

The official prize table shows the Club Caissa member awards as:

The regulations show $225 beside this category as the combined USD figure used in the overall $11,000 prize calculation.

There is one wording discrepancy in the official regulations. The registration discount requires six consecutive Club Caissa dues during 2026, while the special-prize line refers to six dues paid in 2025. Players seeking this particular Club Member prize should confirm the eligibility year directly with the organizer.

Rating Prize Rules

Special rating prizes use FIDE Elo rating blocks.

For example, the regulations explicitly state that the Under 2300 prize applies to players rated from 2100 through 2299. The subsequent special categories follow the organizer’s corresponding rating-block system.

For a player without a FIDE rating, the organizer uses the player’s local rating for prize purposes.

Prize Conditions

Prizes are not divided. Instead, the tournament’s published tie-break system determines the final ranking.

Furthermore, a player may receive only one prize. If a player qualifies for more than one award, the organizer gives that player the highest-value prize.

The U18, U16, U14, U12, U10, and U8 prizes are still listed as to be determined in the official regulations. Therefore, no amounts should be added until Club Caissa publishes them.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The tournament has one Open section with a maximum capacity of 155 players.

Unrated Players

Players without a FIDE rating pay a special entry fee of $100 or Q765.

The organizer initially accepts only 10 unrated players. Once those ten places are filled, additional unrated applicants move to a waiting list.

Titled Players

The organizer offers free tournament registration to:

Grandmaster Accommodation

The organizer provides accommodation to the first five Grandmasters who satisfy all of the following conditions:

• hold a FIDE rating above 2450 at the time of registration;
• confirm their tournament registration;
• send proof of their airline-ticket reservation to torneointernacionalclubcaissa@gmail.com.

The organizer sends confirmation of the accommodation benefit by email.

Moreover, a Grandmaster who receives this benefit must play all tournament games.

📅 Schedule

All nine rounds take place in Salón Vienés at Hotel Camino Real.

The tournament therefore contains two rounds per day from Wednesday through Saturday, followed by the final round and closing ceremony on Sunday.

📝 Registration

All registrations must be completed by January 3, 2027.

The organizer does not treat payment alone as a completed entry. Every player must also send the required registration information by email and receive confirmation.

Entry Fees for FIDE-Rated Players

Club Caissa Member Discount

Active Club Caissa members who are up to date with their membership receive a 25% entry-fee discount when they have paid at least six consecutive membership dues during 2026.

Payment in Guatemala

Payments in Guatemalan quetzales should be deposited into:

International Payment

Players paying from abroad can use PayPal.

They should email:

torneointernacionalclubcaissa@gmail.com

The organizer then sends the PayPal payment request. The player pays the registration fee plus the applicable PayPal commission.

Required Registration Information

After payment, every participant must email the organizer by January 3, 2027 with the required documents and information.

Registration email:

torneointernacionalclubcaissa@gmail.com

The regulations specifically emphasize the importance of receiving an official registration confirmation.

Payment Receipts

Players who need a payment receipt must email the organizer before January 5, 2027.

The request should include:

The organizer distributes the requested receipts during the tournament.

Accreditation Badge

Every participant receives an accreditation badge on the first tournament day.

Players must wear the badge throughout the event.

🏛️ Organizer

César Blanco serves as both Tournament Director and Tournament Technical Director.

📍 Venue

Salón Vienés, The Westin Camino Real Guatemala – Avenida La Reforma y 14 Calle, Zona 10, Guatemala City 01010, Guatemala.

The regulations refer to the property as Hotel Camino Real, while the hotel’s current official name is The Westin Camino Real, Guatemala.

The tournament takes place in Salón Vienés throughout all nine rounds, as well as for the opening and closing ceremonies.

The venue sits in Guatemala City’s Zone 10, close to the city’s principal hotel and business district. The hotel itself provides accommodation, dining, event facilities, and other full-service hotel amenities.

🏨 Accommodation

The official Club Caissa tournament page recommends several accommodation options for visiting players.

Hotel Casa Veranda

Casa Veranda is located in the same Zone 10 district as the tournament venue.

Wyndham Garden Guatemala City

Posada San Judas Apart-Hotel

The $60 single-room rate and $6 breakfast are the amounts currently published by Club Caissa. Players should nevertheless reconfirm availability and final 2027 conditions directly before booking.

🚆 How to Get There

From La Aurora International Airport

La Aurora International Airport (GUA) is the principal airport for international participants.

The Westin Camino Real is approximately 3 km from La Aurora International Airport.

The hotel does not provide a regular airport shuttle. Therefore, players should arrange a taxi, private transfer, ride service, or other ground transportation.

Tournament Location

The hotel is located in Zone 10, one of Guatemala City’s principal business and hotel districts.

Players staying at Casa Veranda or Wyndham Garden are also based in Zone 10, which can simplify daily tournament travel.

Because traffic conditions can vary considerably in Guatemala City, players should leave sufficient time before each round, particularly before the 10:00 AM morning rounds and evening sessions.

ℹ️ Other Information

Appeals Committee

At the beginning of the tournament, the organizers will form an Appeals Committee consisting of three people with knowledge of FIDE regulations.

This committee provides the formal tournament mechanism for handling appeals against decisions where the applicable regulations permit an appeal.

Tournament Officials

Chess Clocks

Players who own a chess clock must bring it and use it during the tournament.

The Organizing Committee specifically states that it is not responsible for a shortage of chess clocks.

Therefore, participants who own a suitable tournament clock should bring it to the playing venue.

FIDE Regulations

FIDE regulations govern the tournament.

Any issue not specifically covered by the published regulations will be resolved by the Organizing Committee, which also reserves the right of admission.

About the Fourth Edition

The 2027 tournament represents the fourth edition of Club Caissa Guatemala’s International Tournament.

The competition has developed into one of the club’s principal international activities, bringing together Guatemalan players, overseas visitors, titled competitors, juniors, and club members.

The previous third edition took place in January 2026. For 2027, the tournament moves to The Westin Camino Real Guatemala, providing a major international hotel setting in Guatemala City’s Zone 10.

About Club Caissa Guatemala

Club Caissa’s mission focuses on developing chess in Guatemala, raising the competitive level of its members, and creating an environment based on organization, respect, integrity, and responsibility.

The association also aims to strengthen Guatemala’s international chess presence and support the development of stronger competitive players.

The tournament receives the endorsement of the National Chess Federation of Guatemala and the support of Rotary Club Guatemala “Las Americas.”