Summer chess in Quebec peaks at the Laval Open Chess Championship 2026, June 26-28, 2026, Laval, Canada, where the organizer delivers a clean weekend Swiss with strong local competition and international rating value in the Open. The tournament runs 5 rounds across three days and offers CAD $3,500 in guaranteed cash prizes spread across four sections. The Open section counts for FQE, CFC, and FIDE rating, which makes it a strong target for players who want classical games that matter for multiple rating systems.
The organizer hosts play at a convenient hotel venue in Laval and keeps the schedule practical with a Friday evening start and two rounds each on Saturday and Sunday. You can request half-point byes early, and you can focus on long, technical games thanks to a classical time control with increment. Free parking supports easy logistics, and the organizer also offers on-site clock rental for players who need it.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | June 26-28, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Laval, Quebec, Canada |
| ♟️ Format | 5-round Swiss system |
| ⭐ Rating | Open: FQE, CFC, and FIDE rated; Sections B–D: FQE rated |
| 📂 Sections | Open; Section B (U2000); Section C (U1700); Section D (U1400 and unrated) |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes for the game + 30 seconds per move from move 1 |
| 💳 Entry fee | CAD $65–$130 depending on section and deadline |
| 💰 Prize fund | CAD $3,500 (guaranteed cash prizes) |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Free parking; 30-minute default time |
🏆 Prize Fund
Open Section
| Prize | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1st | $700 |
| 2nd | $300 |
| 3rd | $200 |
| Class prize (U2200) | $150 |
Section B (U2000)
| Prize | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1st | $500 |
| 2nd | $225 |
| 3rd | $150 |
| Class prize (U1800) | $100 |
Section C (U1700)
| Prize | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1st | $350 |
| 2nd | $200 |
| 3rd | $125 |
Section D (U1400 and unrated)
| Prize | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1st | $250 |
| 2nd | $150 |
| 3rd | $100 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The organizer runs a 5-round Swiss-system tournament across four sections. The Open section counts for FQE, CFC, and FIDE rating, and Sections B–D count for FQE rating.
The tournament uses a classical time control of 90 minutes for the game plus a 30-second increment from move 1. The organizer applies a 30-minute default time for each round.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open | Open section | FQE, CFC, and FIDE rated |
| Section B | Under 2000 | FQE rated |
| Section C | Under 1700 | FQE rated |
| Section D | Under 1400 and unrated | FQE rated |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 26, 2026 | Friday | 7:00 PM | Round 1 |
| June 27, 2026 | Saturday | 10:00 AM | Round 2 |
| June 27, 2026 | Saturday | 3:00 PM | Round 3 |
| June 28, 2026 | Sunday | 10:00 AM | Round 4 |
| June 28, 2026 | Sunday | 3:00 PM | Round 5 |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Online via club website: https://echecslaval.com/ |
| Entry fee deadlines | Before June 1, 2026; June 1–15, 2026; on-site on June 26, 2026 (before 5:00 PM) |
| Open entry fee | $100 (before June 1) / $110 (June 1–15) / $130 (on-site) |
| Section B entry fee | $85 (before June 1) / $95 (June 1–15) / $115 (on-site) |
| Section C entry fee | $70 (before June 1) / $80 (June 1–15) / $100 (on-site) |
| Section D entry fee | $65 (before June 1) / $75 (June 1–15) / $95 (on-site) |
| Free entry | GM, IM, FM |
| Quebec master entry | Free until May 15; regular fee applies after May 15 |
| Byes | Half-point byes available in Rounds 1 and 2; request byes before the tournament; maximum of two byes |
| Payment method | Pay through https://echecslaval.com/ |
👥 Organizer
The organizer runs the Laval Open as a structured four-section weekend championship with guaranteed prizes and a straightforward five-round schedule. The event supports multi-rating competition in the Open and keeps logistics simple through a single hotel venue with free parking and clear on-site procedures.
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Email: info@echecslaval.com
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Phone: +1 514 581 5043
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Website: https://echecslaval.com/
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Email: info@fqechecs.qc.ca
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Phone: +1 514 252 3034
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Website: https://www.fqechecs.qc.ca/
🏨 Venue
Holiday Inn Laval, 2900 boulevard Le Carrefour, Laval, QC H7T 2K9, Canada
The organizer hosts the tournament in a hotel setting that suits a full weekend schedule and keeps players close to the playing hall between rounds. The venue address sits in central Laval, which supports easy access by car and local transport. The organizer also provides free parking for participants.
🚗 How to Get There
Use the venue address 2900 boulevard Le Carrefour, Laval, QC H7T 2K9, Canada to plan your route to the Holiday Inn Laval. Drive when you prefer a direct trip, and plan local travel within Laval around the scheduled round times.
Bring your best calculation and endgame technique, and turn a summer weekend in Laval into five serious classical games and a shot at guaranteed prizes.
🧾 Other
Players must bring their own chess clocks, and the organizer also offers clock rental on site.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - CAD $3,500
Organizer
Ligue Lavalloise d’échecs is a local chess organizer based in Laval, Quebec, Canada, operating from the Centre communautaire Saint-Louis-de-Montfort. Ligue Lavalloise d’échecs functions as a community chess league that supports structured over-the-board competition for players across the Laval area. Moreover, it is recognized within the Fédération québécoise des échecs (FQÉ) network as an active regional chess organization.
In addition, the league runs recurring weekly events, including its well-known Tuesday evening tournament series, which delivers consistent classical chess competition during the season. It also offers youth-focused activities through a regular Saturday program, so developing players can build fundamentals through guided chess training and supervised play. Furthermore, the calendar typically includes rapid chess and blitz chess tournaments, giving players practical experience across multiple time controls.
Over the years, the organization has strengthened its footprint in the regional circuit by maintaining reliable scheduling and clear event administration. Therefore, players looking for a steady pathway into FIDE-rated tournament play and broader weekend events often view the Ligue as a dependable entry point. As a result, it remains a strong option for anyone seeking an approachable tournament organizer in Laval with consistent participation and a community-first approach.
