Golden Week Open 2026 takes place from May 4-6, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. This is a chess tournament in Tokyo, Japan, in 2026. The event brings players together for a five-round over-the-board chess tournament with two classes and a classical time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one. Curian, Shinagawa Ward Community Center hosts the competition, and the tournament offers a confirmed cash prize fund of about USD 310.

Moreover, this chess tournament in Tokyo gives players a strong Golden Week option with a central venue, a clear class structure, and official FIDE and national standard rating. In addition, the event keeps pairings inside each class, which creates a focused and practical competitive format. As a result, this chess event in Tokyo appeals to ambitious club players, improving competitors, and stronger rated players who want a well-structured classical chess tournament in Japan.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

The total confirmed cash prize fund is JPY 45,000.

In addition, the Open section awards plaques to the top three finishers. Meanwhile, fourth and fifth place receive a ChessMood prize and a plaque. Group A also awards plaques and ChessMood prizes to top finishers. However, the organizer does not split prize money equally when players tie.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament uses a 5-round Swiss system. Each player receives 90 minutes for the game plus a 30-second increment from move one. Therefore, the event delivers a serious classical chess tournament format across the full holiday schedule.

The organizer divides the event into two classes: Open and Group A. Group A is for players rated under 1700 or unrated up to 1699, and eligible players may choose their preferred group during registration. However, the Japan Chess Federation makes the final decision on class placement. If a class reaches 32 or more participants, the organizer applies the accelerated Swiss method.

Swiss-Manager creates the pairings under the Swiss system. First, the organizer uses the May 2026 FIDE standard rating list. Then it uses national standard rating, title, and alphabetical order when needed. Players who arrive more than 30 minutes late lose by forfeit. In addition, players may request advance half-point byes until 6:00 PM on the day before the tournament, except in the final two rounds. Furthermore, players with two or more declared byes cannot win prizes.

📂 Sections / Groups

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

👥 Organizer

Japan Chess Federation organizes this Golden Week event in Tokyo and continues to develop a strong calendar of rated tournaments in Japan. In addition, the federation manages entries, class placement, pairings, and tournament administration for national and international players.

• Address: 5-18-1 Higashioi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan

• Email: japanchess.info@gmail.com

• Website: https://japanchess.org/

🏨 Venue

Curian, Shinagawa Ward Community Center, 5-18-1 Higashioi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan

The tournament takes place at a centrally located community venue in Shinagawa. Moreover, the hall is only about a 2-minute walk from Oimachi Station, so daily access is simple for players staying in different parts of Tokyo. The venue also supports a compact holiday schedule across three days.

🚗 How to Get There

Players can reach the venue easily through Oimachi Station on the JR Keihin Tohoku Line, Tokyu Oimachi Line, and Rinkai Line. In addition, the short walk from the station makes the tournament practical for both local players and visitors staying elsewhere in Tokyo.

🧾 Other

The organizer provides chess sets, clocks, and scoresheets. Players must record their games accurately until the end, confirm the result on the scoresheet, sign it, and report the result to the arbiter.

Players must switch off phones, tablets, and smartwatches and store them in bags during games. If a player uses or carries an electronic device during play without approved permission, the arbiter declares the game lost immediately.

Enjoy a competitive Golden Week in Tokyo and take part in a well-structured rated chess event in one of Japan’s key urban chess venues.