II. Puchner OPEN BIKAL — U2300 (24 Feb – 1 Mar 2026, Hungary)
II. Puchner OPEN BIKAL — U2300 brings nine classical rounds to the Puchner Castle Hotel & Renaissance Theme Park in Bikal (Baranya) from 24 February to 1 March 2026. Alongside serious chess you’ll enjoy wellness access, family-friendly facilities, and on-site dining — all inside a unique castle setting.
📌 Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | 24 February – 1 March 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Bikal, Baranya, Hungary |
| 🏟️ Venue | Puchner Castle Hotel & Renaissance Theme Park, Conference Hall (H-7346 Bikal, Rákóczi u. 22.) |
| 🏁 Tournament Type | FIDE-rated International Open (U2300) |
| 🧩 Tournament System | Swiss System |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | 9 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move 1 |
| ⏰ Default Time | 60 minutes |
| 📞 TD / Entries | Dániel Dan · +36 30 288 4601 · dandani03@gmail.com |
| 🏢 Organizer / Hotel | Puchner Castle Hotel · +36 72 459 546 / 547 / 548 · info@puchner.hu |
| 👤 Chief Arbiter | IA István Brindza |
| 👤 Arbiter | NA Attila Szíjjártó |
💰 Prize Fund
Total Prize Fund: 2,000,000 HUF (~€5,000)
Prizes are single (no player can receive more than one). Guaranteed with at least 120 players.
Overall Prizes
| Place | HUF | Place | HUF |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 500,000 | 7 | 60,000 |
| 2 | 300,000 | 8 | 45,000 |
| 3 | 200,000 | 9 | 30,000 |
| 4 | 150,000 | 10 | 20,000 |
| 5 | 100,000 | 11 | 20,000 |
| 6 | 80,000 | 12 | 20,000 |
Rating Prizes
| Rating Band | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1400–1599 | 40,000 | 20,000 | 15,000 |
| 1600–1799 | 60,000 | 40,000 | 30,000 |
| 1800–2000 | 80,000 | 60,000 | 30,000 |
Special Prizes
- Best Baranya player: 25,000 HUF
- Best Junior (born ≥2008): 25,000 HUF
- Best Senior (born ≤1966): 25,000 HUF
- Best Woman: 25,000 HUF
🧩 Sections / Eligibility
- Open to all FIDE-rated players under 2300.
- Rating categories and seeding based on FIDE rating list of 1 Feb 2026.
- Players who exceed 2300 after registration are still eligible.
⏱️ Time Control & Regulations
- 90′ + 30″ increment per move from move 1.
- Default time: 60 minutes.
- Draw offers allowed at any stage.
- One-round absence possible with prior notice (0 points, not paired).
- Unexcused absence may lead to disqualification.
- Phones must be switched off; anti-cheating rules in effect.
- Pairings/results published on chess-results.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Event / Round | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Feb | Registration | 13:00 |
| 24 Feb | Opening Ceremony | 14:30 |
| 24 Feb | Round 1 | 15:00 |
| 25 Feb | Round 2 | 09:00 |
| 25 Feb | Round 3 | 15:00 |
| 26 Feb | Round 4 | 09:00 |
| 26 Feb | Round 5 | 15:00 |
| 27 Feb | Round 6 | 09:00 |
| 27 Feb | Round 7 | 15:00 |
| 28 Feb | Round 8 | 09:00 |
| 28 Feb | Speed Chess Tournament | 14:00 |
| 1 Mar | Round 9 | 09:00 |
| 1 Mar | Prize-giving | After R9 |
📝 Registration & Fees
- Deadline: 22 February 2026 (via email: dandani03@gmail.com).
- Standard entry: 26,000 HUF (~€65).
- Discounts (not combinable): Hungarian players: 24,000 HUF · Club groups (≥5 fully paid): 22,000 HUF each · Baranya residents or Kettős Támadás CC members: 20,000 HUF
- Valid 2026 competition license required (foreigners need HPL).
🏢 Organizer
Tournament Director: Dániel Dan — +36 30 288 4601 — dandani03@gmail.com
Host: Puchner Castle Hotel & Renaissance Theme Park, Bikal — info@puchner.hu
A professional team ensuring a smooth tournament combined with the unique experience of staying in a castle resort with full wellness and family activities.
🏟️ Venue
Puchner Castle Hotel & Renaissance Theme Park, H-7346 Bikal, Rákóczi u. 22.
Conference hall inside a four-star castle hotel offering a mix of tradition, comfort, and wellness.
🛏️ Accommodation
Discounted packages for participants (per person, per night, half-board included):
- Single: 28,000 HUF
- Double: 23,000 HUF
- Extra bed: 16,000 HUF
- Tourist tax: 500 HUF/person/night (18+)
Children discounts: 0–3.99 yrs: Free · 4–11.99 yrs: 12,000 HUF/night · 12+: Full price
Included: Half-board, unlimited drinks at dinner (1.5h), wellness access (various spas, pools), children’s bath, playgrounds, fitness, theme-park facilities, Wi-Fi, bathrobes.
🚉 How to Get There
- By Car: Free parking on site.
- By Train/Bus: Regional connections to nearby towns, then taxi/transfer to Bikal.
- By Air: Fly to Budapest (BUD), then drive/train toward Baranya.
Experience the magic of combining competitive chess with the unique charm of a castle hotel. The Puchner OPEN Bikal 2026 is not just about results — it’s about inspiration, community, and enjoying every move in a truly unforgettable setting.
Organizer
Puchner Castle Hotel – Bikal (Puchner Kastélyszállálló) is a four-star resort and event venue based in Bikal, Baranya, Hungary. It welcomes leisure travelers and groups in a distinctive castle setting. Moreover, the property regularly hosts organized events that bring visitors to the region.
The hotel team supports the II. Puchner OPEN BIKAL — U2300 as an open chess tournament with a FIDE-rated tournament format. The main competition is played as classical chess across nine Swiss rounds. In addition, on-site services help players stay focused and comfortable throughout the week.
Furthermore, the venue offers wellness areas, dining, and family-friendly facilities that enhance the tournament experience. As a result, the event feels like a compact chess festival built around serious competition.
