II Open Internacional de Ajedrez Ciudad de Irun 2026
The II Open Internacional de Ajedrez Ciudad de Irun 2026 takes place from December 4–8, 2026, in Irun, Gipuzkoa, Spain. Club de Ajedrez Bidasoa Xake Kluba organizes this international FIDE-rated classical tournament at the Centro Cultural CBA.
The tournament features seven Swiss-system rounds and two rating groups. Moreover, the organizer limits the field to 160 players, with a maximum of 80 participants in each group.
Players will compete for a substantial €12,000 / approx. $14,020 prize fund. In addition, the tournament offers special rating and women’s prizes, while the leading boards will be broadcast online.
📌 Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏷️ Tournament | II Open Internacional de Ajedrez Ciudad de Irun 2026 |
| 📅 Dates | December 4–8, 2026 |
| 🌍 Country | Spain |
| 📍 Location | Irun, Gipuzkoa |
| 🏛️ Venue | Centro Cultural CBA – Plaza San Juan, 20304 Irun, Gipuzkoa, Spain |
| ♟️ Organizer | Club de Ajedrez Bidasoa Xake Kluba |
| 🔁 Format | Swiss System |
| 🔢 Rounds | 7 |
| 🎯 Sections | Group A and Group B |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE Standard |
| 🏆 Prize Fund | €12,000 / approx. $14,020 |
| 👥 Capacity | 160 players – maximum 80 per group |
| 🌐 Official Website | https://openciudadirun.com/ |
| 🔗 Chess-Results | Group A: https://chess-results.com/tnr1460883.aspx?lan=1 • Group B: https://chess-results.com/tnr1460884.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The organizer runs seven rounds using the Swiss System. Each player receives 90 minutes for the entire game plus a 30-second increment from move one. Swiss-Manager produces the pairings.
The published tie-break criteria are Buchholz Cut 1, Progressive Score, Sonneborn-Berger, and APRO.
Players may request up to two half-point byes during the first five rounds. However, players who need a bye in Round 1 must submit the request no later than 23:59 on December 3.
The forfeit time is 60 minutes for Round 1. From Round 2 onward, the forfeit time is 30 minutes.
🏆 Prize Fund
The tournament offers a total prize fund of €12,000 / approx. $14,020. Prizes are non-cumulative, and cash awards are subject to the applicable tax regulations.
Group A – Overall Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €2,000 / approx. $2,340 + Trophy |
| 2nd | €1,600 / approx. $1,870 + Trophy |
| 3rd | €1,200 / approx. $1,410 + Trophy |
| 4th | €1,000 / approx. $1,170 |
| 5th | €800 / approx. $940 |
| 6th | €600 / approx. $710 |
| 7th | €400 / approx. $470 |
| 8th | €300 / approx. $360 |
| 9th | €200 / approx. $240 |
| 10th | €200 / approx. $240 |
| 11th | €150 / approx. $180 |
| 12th | €150 / approx. $180 |
| 13th | €150 / approx. $180 |
| 14th | €100 / approx. $120 |
| 15th | €100 / approx. $120 |
Group A – Special Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st U2100 | €150 / approx. $180 |
| 1st U2000 | €150 / approx. $180 |
| 1st Woman | €250 / approx. $300 |
| 2nd Woman | €150 / approx. $180 |
| 3rd Woman | €100 / approx. $120 |
Group B – Overall Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €500 / approx. $590 + Trophy |
| 2nd | €400 / approx. $470 + Trophy |
| 3rd | €300 / approx. $360 + Trophy |
| 4th | €200 / approx. $240 |
| 5th | €150 / approx. $180 |
| 6th | €100 / approx. $120 |
| 7th | €75 / approx. $90 |
| 8th | €75 / approx. $90 |
| 9th | €50 / approx. $60 |
| 10th | €50 / approx. $60 |
Group B – Special Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st U1800 | €100 / approx. $120 |
| 1st U1700 | €100 / approx. $120 |
| 1st Woman | €75 / approx. $90 |
| 2nd Woman | €50 / approx. $60 |
| 3rd Woman | €25 / approx. $30 |
| 1st U16 | Trophy |
| 1st U14 | Trophy |
| 1st U12 | Trophy |
♟️ Sections / Groups
The tournament consists of two groups based on the player’s FIDE Standard rating.
| Group | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Group A | Players with FIDE Standard Elo 1900 or higher |
| Group B | Players with FIDE Standard Elo below 2000 |
Therefore, players rated 1900–1999 may choose either Group A or Group B. They must make their group selection by November 30, 2026.
Participants must have a valid FEDA license. Players representing another federation must instead hold a valid FIDE ID.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Friday, December 4 | From 16:00 – Accreditation |
| Friday, December 4 | 17:30 – Round 1 |
| Saturday, December 5 | 10:00 – Round 2 |
| Saturday, December 5 | 17:00 – Round 3 |
| Sunday, December 6 | 17:00 – Round 4 |
| Monday, December 7 | 10:00 – Round 5 |
| Monday, December 7 | 17:00 – Round 6 |
| Tuesday, December 8 | 10:00 – Round 7 |
| Tuesday, December 8 | 13:30 or after Round 7 – Awards Ceremony |
📝 Registration
Registration remains open until 12:00 Spanish time on November 30, 2026, or until the tournament reaches capacity.
The organizer limits participation to 160 players, with a maximum of 80 players in each group. Places are therefore allocated in registration order.
Entry Fees
| Category | Before October 15 | October 15–November 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | €50 / approx. $60 | €70 / approx. $90 |
| U18 | €40 / approx. $50 | €60 / approx. $80 |
| GM, IM, WGM, WIM | Invited by the organizer | Invited by the organizer |
Registration Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Registration Form | https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4z7LaV0s9_bf_lOnDpj9TAdhQbWx7nVZ8BXT5adv07rSN2g/viewform |
| Registration Email | inscripciones@openciudadirun.com |
| Bank | Caja Rural |
| IBAN | ES70 3008 0205 7555 2960 7029 |
| Payment Reference | Player’s first name and surname |
After completing the online form, players must make the corresponding payment. The organizer sends an email confirmation after validating the registration.
👤 Organizer
| Contact Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer Name | Club de Ajedrez Bidasoa Xake Kluba |
| Contact Person | Carlos Pascual Cuadrado – Tournament Director |
| info@openciudadirun.com |
📍 Venue
Centro Cultural CBA – Plaza San Juan, 20304 Irun, Gipuzkoa, Spain
The Centro Cultural CBA sits in central Irun and provides a comfortable setting for the tournament. Moreover, the venue offers an analysis area and rest spaces, with cafés and other services nearby.
The organizer limits each tournament group to 80 players. Consequently, players should register early if they want to secure a place in their preferred section.
🚆 How to Get There
By train: Irun has services operated by Renfe and Euskotren. Renfe connections provide access from major Spanish cities, while Euskotren connects Irun with San Sebastián and other destinations in the Basque Country. Hendaye, just across the French border, also provides additional rail connections.
By air: San Sebastián Airport is the closest airport and is approximately 10 minutes from Irun by road. Biarritz Airport in France is another convenient option and is approximately 30 minutes away.
By car: Irun has excellent road connections through the AP-8 and N-1, providing convenient access from northern Spain and southwestern France.
By bus: Local and regional bus services connect central Irun with surrounding towns. In addition, national bus services operate connections to the city.
ℹ️ Other Information
- Players must leave mobile phones and other electronic devices at the entrance to the playing hall. The organizer will keep them securely until the player finishes the game.
- The organizer plans to broadcast the leading boards online. The broadcast will begin after a delay determined by the tournament organization.
- Spectators may take photographs only during the first 15 minutes of each round and with the organizer’s authorization.
- The tournament is valid for FIDE Standard rating.
- Participants receive a tournament pack that includes accreditation materials, a tournament pen, folder, and water.
- The organizer applies the official FIDE Laws of Chess throughout the competition.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $14,020
Organizer
♟️ About Bidasoa Xake Kluba
Bidasoa Xake Kluba is a non-profit chess club based in Irun, Gipuzkoa, Spain. The club promotes, organizes, and develops chess throughout the Bidasoa region, including Irun and the surrounding area. Moreover, it combines competitive chess with an extensive program for children, juniors, adults, and club players.
The organization places particular emphasis on chess education and junior development. Its Xake Eskola offers training from beginner level through competition level, with regular classes during the school year. In addition, the club organizes summer courses, open days, school chess activities, and opportunities for young players to enter official competitions.
Bidasoa Xake Kluba also maintains an active competitive program. Its members participate in individual and team championships across Gipuzkoa and the Basque Country. Meanwhile, the club regularly hosts tournaments in Irun and works with local institutions, chess federations, schools, and other organizations to expand access to chess.
🏆 Tournaments and Chess Activities
Bidasoa Xake Kluba organizes a growing range of competitive events, from junior festivals and local championships to international FIDE-rated tournaments.
One of its flagship events is the Open Internacional de Ajedrez Ciudad de Irun. The club launched the tournament in 2025, when the first edition attracted 120 players. Participants represented numerous countries and clubs, establishing the event as an important addition to the regional chess calendar.
Following that successful debut, the club organizes the II Open Internacional de Ajedrez Ciudad de Irun 2026 from December 4–8, 2026. The international classical tournament features two rating groups, seven Swiss-system rounds, FIDE rating, and a significantly expanded prize fund.
The club also organizes the recurring Salto Systems Txapelketa. The fifth edition took place in April 2026 and welcomed 150 participants across several categories. Furthermore, Bidasoa Xake Kluba organizes school zonal championships, youth festivals, social tournaments, and other competitive chess activities throughout the year.
🎓 Chess School and Youth Development
The Bidasoa Xake Kluba chess school provides structured instruction for young players at different skill levels. Classes range from chess initiation to advanced competition training.
The club keeps training groups relatively small and also handles federative licenses and entries into school and official competitions. Therefore, students can move naturally from learning the game to representing the club in competitive events.
Youth development has already produced strong results. Bidasoa players regularly compete in the Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, and Spanish championships. In addition, the club has achieved notable results in both individual and team youth competitions.
📜 History and Achievements
Bidasoa Xake Kluba began in July 2019, when a group of local chess players identified the need for a regional chess club in Bidasoaldea. The organization formally registered as a sports entity in the Basque Country later that year.
Since then, the club has developed rapidly. In 2023, its Bidasoa A junior team became Basque Country Infantil Team Champion. The club also collected several team and individual titles at Gipuzkoa level.
Further successes followed. In 2025, Ibon Muñoz became Basque Country Junior Champion, while other Bidasoa players earned podium finishes in regional championships. In 2026, Bidasoa A won the Gipuzkoa Alevín School Championship and finished runner-up in the Gipuzkoa Preferente Team League.
At the same time, the club continues to expand its organizational ambitions. The creation of the international Irun Open represents an important step in that development and strengthens Irun’s position on the international chess map.
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