I Open Donostia-Gros Centro Tecnificación 2026 takes place from December 4-8, 2026, at the Gros Xake Taldea chess center in San Sebastián, Spain. The tournament offers an 8-round FIDE standard-rated open across five playing days.
This is a chess tournament in San Sebastián, Spain, in 2026. Players will compete in one open section with a classical time control and the option to request byes.
The event forms part of the 2026 Challenge Gros series. It offers €2,000 in tournament prizes, extra rating prizes, and a CE Premium chess clock gift for eligible players who complete the event.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | I Open Donostia-Gros Centro Tecnificación 2026 |
| 📅 Dates | December 4-8, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | San Sebastián, Spain |
| 🏛️ Venue | Gros Xake Taldea, Centro de Tecnificación de Ajedrez |
| 📌 Address | Paseo de Anoeta 20, 3rd floor, Frontón Karmelo Balda, 20014 Donostia/San Sebastián |
| ♟️ Format | 8-round open tournament |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE standard-rated |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 60 minutes per player + 30 seconds per move |
| 🧩 Sections | One open section |
| 💰 Prize Fund | €2,000 / approx. USD 2,330 |
| 🎁 Player Gift | CE Premium chess clock for players who complete the tournament |
| 📝 Registration Deadline | December 2, 2026 |
| ✅ Byes | Up to 2 possible byes |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
Players receive 60 minutes for the game, plus a 30-second increment per move. This time control gives the tournament a compact classical format with FIDE standard rating.
The event uses 8 rounds. In addition, players may request up to two byes, which gives them some flexibility during the five-day schedule.
Since the tournament counts for FIDE standard Elo, players should check their registration details carefully before the event. Also, they should arrive before each round to confirm pairings and avoid unnecessary delays.
💰 Prize Fund
The tournament offers a published prize fund of €2,000, which equals approximately USD 2,330.
Prize Fund Overview
| Prize / Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st place | €500 |
| 2nd place | €300 |
| 3rd place | €250 |
| 4th place | €200 |
| 5th place | €150 |
| Best player under 2200 Elo | €180 |
| Best player under 2000 Elo | €160 |
| Best player under 1800 Elo | €140 |
| Best player under 1600 Elo | €120 |
| Total published prize fund | €2,000 / approx. USD 2,330 |
Players who complete the tournament receive a CE Premium chess clock under the published conditions. Gros Xake members and players can request the clock for €30 if they complete the tournament.
🧩 Sections / Groups
The tournament has one open section. All players compete in the same FIDE-rated field.
The format suits players who want a short international-rated event in Donostia-San Sebastián. Moreover, the rating-prize structure gives players from several Elo bands a clear competitive target.
The tournament is also the fourth event of the 2026 Challenge Gros series. Therefore, players who take part in the full series can also compete for the final Challenge Gros standings.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, December 4 | 18:00 | Round 1 |
| Saturday, December 5 | 10:00 | Round 2 |
| Saturday, December 5 | 17:00 | Round 3 |
| Sunday, December 6 | 10:00 | Round 4 |
| Sunday, December 6 | 17:00 | Round 5 |
| Monday, December 7 | 10:00 | Round 6 |
| Monday, December 7 | 17:00 | Round 7 |
| Tuesday, December 8 | 10:00 | Round 8 |
Players should plan for two double-round days during the event. In addition, they should note the Friday evening start and the final round on Tuesday morning.
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Deadline | December 2, 2026 |
| Standard Entry Fee | €60 |
| Gros Xake Members and Players | Free entry |
| Payment Account | Kutxa 2095 5092 04 1067691930 |
| Payment Note | Player’s full name |
| Registration Confirmation | Gros Xake website, phone, or email |
| Contact Phone | +34 943 291 218 |
| Contact Email | xakegros@telefonica.net |
Players should register before the deadline and include their full name when paying the entry fee. In addition, they should confirm their registration with the organizer after payment.
👥 Organizer
Gros Xake Taldea organizes the I Open Donostia-Gros Centro Tecnificación 2026. The club runs the Centro de Tecnificación de Ajedrez in the Anoeta sports area and has a long record of chess activity in Donostia-San Sebastián.
Phone: +34 943 291 218
Email: xakegros@telefonica.net
🏛️ Venue
Gros Xake Taldea, Centro de Tecnificación de Ajedrez
Paseo de Anoeta 20, 3rd floor, Frontón Karmelo Balda, 20014 Donostia/San Sebastián, Spain
The tournament takes place at the Gros Xake Taldea chess center in the Anoeta sports area. The venue gives players a dedicated chess setting with strong local club infrastructure.
Players should use the Frontón Karmelo Balda reference when planning the final arrival. This helps with navigation inside the Anoeta area.
🚆 How to Get There
Players should travel to Paseo de Anoeta 20 in Donostia-San Sebastián and use Frontón Karmelo Balda as the local venue reference.
San Sebastián has train, bus, and regional transport connections. From the city center, players can continue toward the Anoeta sports area by local transport, taxi, or on foot, depending on their accommodation.
Drivers should allow extra time for urban traffic and parking near the Anoeta area, especially before the Friday evening round.
ℹ️ Other Information
The tournament belongs to the 2026 Challenge Gros series. The final Challenge standings award €500, €300, and €200 to the top three players after the four listed events.
Among players who complete all four Challenge Gros tournaments, the organizer also plans a raffle for a wooden chess set and a CE Premium chess clock.
I Open Donostia-Gros Centro Tecnificación 2026 offers a compact FIDE-rated chess event in San Sebastián, with eight rounds, clear prizes, and a strong local chess-club setting.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $2,330
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Gros Xake Taldea is a major chess club and tournament organizer based in Donostia / San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain. The club started in early 1991 in the Gros district, where local chess enthusiasts wanted to promote chess and its educational value. Since then, it has grown into one of the most active chess organizations in Gipuzkoa and northern Spain.
The club works from the Centro de Tecnificación de Ajedrez at Frontón Karmelo Balda, in the Anoeta sports area. This location gives players a strong chess base in San Sebastián, with space for training, club play, tournaments, and team activity. Moreover, the club combines competitive chess with steady community work, which makes it relevant for both serious players and newcomers.
Gros Xake Taldea also places strong emphasis on chess education. Its chess school works with many students in local schools and at the club’s own facilities. As a result, the organization supports junior development, school chess, and long-term player growth. This broad approach gives the club a clear role in Basque chess, not only as a tournament organizer but also as a training center.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
Gros Xake Taldea organizes and supports a wide range of chess activity in San Sebastián. Its best-known event is the Groseko Xake Irekia, the Gros International Chess Open. The tournament began as a local open for amateur players and later developed into an international event. Today, it attracts players who want competitive classical chess in one of Spain’s most attractive coastal cities.
The club also runs rapid events, internal competitions, school activities, and recurring tournament programs. Its published calendar includes weekly rapid chess events, training courses, and open competitions. Therefore, players can find both formal rated events and regular chess activity throughout the season.
Team chess forms another important part of the club’s identity. Gros Xake Taldea fields teams across several levels, including Euskal Liga and Liga Guipuzcoana divisions. This structure gives members a pathway from local team competition to stronger regional chess. In addition, the club has achieved visible results in Spanish team chess, which reinforces its reputation as a serious competitive organization.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Players who visit Gros Xake Taldea can expect a busy chess environment with a strong local identity. The club serves adult competitors, juniors, school players, and social players. Its location in Anoeta also makes it practical for players from San Sebastián and nearby towns. In addition, the club’s bilingual Basque and Spanish communication reflects the local chess culture of Gipuzkoa.
The organization suits players who want more than occasional tournaments. Regular classes, school programs, club teams, and open events create a complete chess pathway. Beginners can start with training and club activities. Meanwhile, stronger players can enter open tournaments and team competitions.
Gros Xake Taldea gives San Sebastián a stable and recognizable chess center. It connects grassroots chess, youth development, local leagues, and international tournament activity. Therefore, it remains an important organizer for players who want structured over-the-board chess in the Basque Country.
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