IV Abierto de Ajedrez Clásico Femenino “Villa de Zahara” 2026
Set in the medieval hilltop town of Zahara, the IV Abierto de Ajedrez Clásico Femenino “Villa de Zahara” 2026 takes place on Saturday-Sunday, 7-8 March 2026 in Zahara (Cádiz), Spain. This women’s-only classic features five FIDE-rated rounds at a thoughtful 80’+10″ cadence, a friendly atmosphere, and extra touches for players and guests—including live broadcast of the top boards and a guided companion visit to the historic village.
Organised and sponsored by the Ayuntamiento de Zahara with the support of regional chess bodies, the event welcomes female players with a valid sports licence and FIDE Elo <2400 (March 2026 list). Clear Saturday/Sunday scheduling, on-site accreditation, and practical bye options make it easy to plan a focused chess weekend in Andalucía.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | 7-8 March 2026 (Sat-Sun) |
| 📍 Location | Salón “Bajo Plaza” del Rey (climatized hall) |
| 🏠 Address | 11688 Zahara (Cádiz), Spain |
| ♟️ Format | Women’s Classical Open, 5-round Swiss (VEGACHESS) |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 80 minutes + 10 seconds per move, from move 1 |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE Standard & FADA rated |
| ✅ Eligibility | Women with valid sports licence and FIDE Elo <2400 (March 2026 rating list) |
| 🕰️ Default/Forfeit | 15 minutes late arrival tolerance |
| 🧩 Tiebreaks | Drawn after Round 5: Buchholz-1 • Median Buchholz • ARO • Most wins • Draw lots |
| 🤝 Draw rule | Draw offers only after 30 moves unless the arbiter authorises earlier |
| 📡 Live Boards | Top 5 boards broadcast live |
| 🎟️ Companion Perk | Free companion pass with guided tour of the medieval village |
| 🍽️ Closing Treat | Paella at the closing ceremony (non-vegetarian) |
🏆 Prize Fund
| Prize Group | Award |
|---|---|
| General – 1st | Trophy + €250 |
| General – 2nd | Trophy + €210 |
| General – 3rd | Trophy + €170 |
| General – 4th | Medal + €120 |
| General – 5th | Medal + €80 |
| General – 6th | Medal + €60 |
| General – 7th | Medal + €40 |
| General – 8th | Medal + €20 |
| Best Gaditana | Medal + €50 |
| Age Prizes | U14 (2012-2013) Medal + gift • U12 (2014-2015) Medal + gift • U10 (2016-2017) Medal + gift • U08 (2018+) Medal + gift |
Notes: Prizes are not cumulative and must be collected in person at the ceremony; assignment follows final standings after tiebreaks.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
System: 5-round Swiss (VEGACHESS).
Cadence: 80′ + 10″ from move 1.
Pairing checks: Players must verify pairings/scores; claims close 1 hour after publication (or at the start of the following round for back-to-back rounds).
Electronics: Devices must be completely switched off and stored as instructed; violating this rule results in loss of game.
Notation: Algebraic notation; players hand in the original signed scoresheet after each game (with <5′ on the clock, notation may stop).
No-shows: One no-show may be conditionally excused upon written request to continue; two no-shows = disqualification.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, 7 Mar 2026 | 08:45 | Accreditation |
| Sat, 7 Mar 2026 | 09:00 | Round 1 |
| Sat, 7 Mar 2026 | 12:00 | Round 2 |
| Sat, 7 Mar 2026 | 16:30 | Round 3 |
| Sun, 8 Mar 2026 | 09:00 | Round 4 |
| Sun, 8 Mar 2026 | 12:00 | Round 5 |
| Sun, 8 Mar 2026 | ~15:30 | Closing ceremony & paella |
📝 Registration
Deadline: Thursday, 6 March 2026 at 20:00.
Fees: General €15 • Reduced €12 (≥60 years or <18 years) • Fidelización €9 (eligible if you played a previous AjedreZahara event since 2019 or live >150 km from Zahara; not cumulative).
How to pay: Online via Ayuntamiento de Zahara payment page: https://www.zahara.es/iv-abierto-de-ajedrez-clasico-femenino-villa-de-zahara-2026
After payment, email: ajedrezaharafemenino@gmail.com with name/s, date of birth, club, and mobile number.
FIDE/ID requirements: Valid sports licence; FIDE ID recommended for rating submission.
Byes: One ½-point bye can be requested in Saturday rounds only (email the committee ≥24 h before the round; final decision by Chief Arbiter).
Start list & results hub: https://info64.org/iv-abierto-de-ajedrez-clasico-femenino-villa-de-zahara-2026
👥 Organizer
Ayuntamiento de Zahara (Cádiz) organises and sponsors the event, in collaboration with Peña Zahareña “Ajedrez de la Sierra”, Diputación de Cádiz, Delegación Gaditana de Ajedrez (DGA), Federación Andaluza de Ajedrez (FADA) and FEDA. The team provides a comfortable playing hall, live boards, and clear procedures for byes, claims and fair play.
Emails & Phone (queries before 5 March):
ajedrezaharafemenino@gmail.com (entries, byes, claims)
+34 678 371 907 – Susana Maximiliano Rubio (Chief Arbiter, FIDE)
+34 695 796 510 – José Antonio Fernández Rodríguez
Website: https://www.zahara.es/
🏨 Venue
Salón “Bajo Plaza” del Rey – 11688 Zahara (Cádiz), Spain
A climatized municipal hall suited to classical chess. If you have accessibility needs, please indicate them when registering so the team can prepare appropriate seating and access arrangements.
🚗 How to Get There
Car: Navigate to 11688 Zahara (Cádiz); public parking is available around the historic centre (allow time for short walks to the hall).
Public transport: Regional bus links from Ronda/Algodonales towards Zahara; taxi transfers are available from nearby towns.
Practical tip: Arrive early Saturday for accreditation at 08:45 to avoid round-one delays.
Claim your place in a unique women’s classic in the white villages of Cádiz—five focused rounds, live boards, and a friendly Andalusian finish at the “Villa de Zahara” 2026.