HJIS Yokohama 1st Kanto Open Scholastic Chess Tournament
HJIS Yokohama 1st Kanto Open Scholastic Chess Tournament launches a new scholastic tournament for students across Japan on September 13. Caissa Osaka Chess Club organizes the event at Horizon Japan International School with support from the Japan Chess Federation. Moreover, the program divides students into four school-level groups, which gives younger and older participants a more suitable competitive environment.
Students complete seven Swiss rounds with 15 minutes per player. The event does not affect national or FIDE ratings, so it also suits students who have not yet built an official tournament record. Therefore, families should select the correct school category, complete ticket payment, and check the admitted-player list before travel. Finally, the school’s official directions provide a clear walking route from Yokohama Station.
📌 Event Details
| 📅 Date | September 13, 2026 |
| 🕒 Time | 09:00–16:30 |
| 🌍 Location | Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan |
| 📍 Venue | Horizon Japan International School – 1-24 Ono-cho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 221-0055, Japan |
| 🏢 Organizer | Caissa Osaka Chess Club |
| 🤝 Support | Japan Chess Federation |
| ♟️ Format | Scholastic individual Swiss tournament |
| 🔢 Rounds | 7 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 15 minutes per player |
| 📊 Rating | Unrated |
| 🔗 Chess-Results | https://chess-results.com/tnr1439065.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Each student receives 15 minutes for the game. In addition, the organizer uses seven Swiss rounds and groups participants by school level.
The tournament does not change an official rating. Nevertheless, students should understand legal moves, checkmate, draw rules, and basic chess-clock use before Round 1.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Category | Eligible Students |
|---|---|
| Lower Elementary | Students in the lower elementary-school grades |
| Upper Elementary | Students in the upper elementary-school grades |
| Middle School | Middle-school students |
| High School | High-school students |
Families should choose the student’s current school level. Therefore, parents who need help with international-school grade equivalence should contact the organizer before they buy a ticket.
🗓️ Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 09:00–09:45 | Registration and check-in |
| 09:45–10:00 | Opening instructions |
| 10:00 | Round 1 |
| 10:45 | Round 2 |
| 11:30 | Round 3 |
| After Round 3–13:00 | Lunch break |
| Afternoon | Rounds 4–7 |
| By 16:30 | Published finish |
📝 Registration
| Ticket Type | Published Price |
|---|---|
| Regular Participant | ¥5,500 plus ¥138 service fee |
| Caissa Student | ¥5,000 plus ¥125 service fee |
| HJIS Student | ¥4,125 plus ¥103 service fee |
Families can purchase tickets through the official Caissa event page. In addition, they should check that the student appears on the admitted-player list.
Questions may be sent to contact@caissajp.com. Because category selection affects the tournament structure, parents should resolve any eligibility question before checkout.
👤 Organizer
| Organizer | Caissa Osaka Chess Club |
| Support | Japan Chess Federation |
| Tournament Email | contact@caissajp.com |
| Official Event Page | https://www.caissajp.com/event-details/hjis-yokohama-1st-kanto-open-scholastic-chess-tournament |
| Venue Phone | +81-45-624-8717 |
📍 Venue
Horizon Japan International School – 1-24 Ono-cho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 221-0055, Japan. Horizon Japan International School operates a modern campus near Yokohama Station. The school completed the current building in 2019 and publishes detailed arrival instructions for visitors.
The campus normally follows strict visitor and safeguarding procedures. Therefore, families should enter only through the tournament route and within the stated check-in window.
🚗 How to Get There
| Travel Option | Practical Information |
|---|---|
| From Yokohama Station | Use Northeast Exit A, follow the bridge toward Bay Quarter, pass the Natural Lawson store, take the right-side bridge, and turn right. The school will appear on the right. |
| From Tokyo | Use direct or simple rail connections from Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, or Shinjuku to Yokohama Station, then follow the school’s walking route. |
| From Haneda Airport | Use the Keikyu network toward Yokohama, then continue on foot from the station. |
| By Car | The school does not guarantee tournament parking. Therefore, use public transport or a commercial parking facility near Yokohama Station. |
🏨 Accommodation Near the Venue
The organizer does not require a tournament hotel. Therefore, the Yokohama Station area offers the easiest route for families.
| Accommodation Option | Location and Practical Notes |
|---|---|
| JR-East Hotel Mets Yokohama | Located approximately three minutes from the north side of Yokohama Station. See https://www.hotelmets.jp/en/yokohama/. |
| Sotetsu Fresa Inn Yokohama Higashiguchi | A station-area hotel convenient for the official walking route. See https://sotetsu-hotels.com/fresa-inn/yokohama-higashiguchi/. |
| Yokohama Station East-Side Hotels | These hotels minimize transfers for students and accompanying adults. Compare breakfast, family-room, and cancellation conditions. |
ℹ️ Other Information
- The event welcomes school students from across Japan.
- The games do not create or change an official rating.
- Parents and accompanying adults must follow the school’s campus and safeguarding instructions.
- The public ticket information does not state that lunch forms part of the fee.
- The school normally closes on Sundays, so visitors should use only the tournament entrance and timetable.
🔗 Official Resources
Additional Details
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Japan Chess Federation, officially known in Japanese as Nihon Chess Renmei (日本チェス連盟), is the national organization representing chess in Japan. It is Japan’s only member federation recognized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The federation promotes chess, manages official membership and ratings, supports registered clubs, and represents Japanese players in international competition.
The organization is based in Tokyo and also operates Chess Center UENO. As of June 1, 2026, the federation reported 1,145 members. Its current leadership includes Hiroshi Manabe, who serves as president and representative director. The federation also works with directors, arbiters, tournament staff, volunteers, clubs, educational institutions, sponsors, and international chess organizations.
🏆 Tournaments and Chess Events
Japan Chess Federation organizes the country’s principal national chess competitions. Its tournament program includes the Japan Chess Championship, Japan Women’s Chess Championship, Japan Senior Chess Championship, Japan Youth and Cadets Championship, Japan Team Chess Championship, national rapid and blitz championships, and other FIDE- and nationally rated events.
The federation also approves qualifying competitions for the national championship and publishes tournament regulations, participant lists, selection criteria, ratings, pairings, and results. The Japan Chess Championship 2026 – 27th Argentina Cup was a nine-round FIDE- and nationally rated competition held in Tokyo. In addition, the federation promotes tournaments organized by registered clubs throughout Japan, including events in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Kobe, Sapporo, and other cities.
🌱 Chess Development and International Representation
The federation’s long-term Vision 2030 focuses on expanding the chess-playing community, improving competitive strength, and developing stronger organizational infrastructure. Its activities include club registration, youth programs, arbiter education, national rating administration, chess publications, online broadcasts, seminars, and support for international participation.
In 2026, Japan Chess Federation expanded its youth-support program. Leading junior players can receive international tournament invitation places, partial travel grants, and assistance in arranging online coaching. The supported competitions include FIDE world youth events, Asian youth championships, Eastern Asia championships, and other major international tournaments.
The federation also selects and supports Japanese representatives for the Chess Olympiad, international championships, university events, youth competitions, and Asian tournaments. Through national competitions, club development, coaching initiatives, and international cooperation, it continues to strengthen Japan’s chess community and create more opportunities for players of different ages and levels.
Hotels Near the Venue
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