Leça Chess Open – Portugal 2026 runs from July 31 to August 6, 2026 in Leça da Palmeira, Matosinhos, Portugal. This is a chess tournament in Leça da Palmeira, Portugal, in 2026. The event takes place at the Leça da Palmeira Municipal Sports Hall and returns for its 5th edition with a full week of classical chess.

The tournament features 9 rounds, a 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment classical time control, and a total prize fund of EUR 6,250, which is approximately USD 7,198 based on the ECB euro reference rate of 1 EUR = 1.1517 USD on March 27, 2026. Moreover, the event is FIDE rated and valid for international title norms.

In addition, the official tournament sources confirm a separate blitz side event during the festival. The playing site sits close to Porto, close to Porto International Airport, and only a short distance from the Atlantic coast. Therefore, the event combines serious tournament chess with a practical summer location in northern Portugal.

📌 Event Details

The main tournament facts are below.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The event uses the Swiss system over 9 rounds. Each player receives 90 minutes for the game, and the clock adds 30 seconds from move one. As a result, the tournament offers a true classical format rather than a rapid-style summer open.

The tournament is also valid for international title norms. In addition, the official schedule already confirms the full round timetable for the main open, which gives players a clear structure from the opening evening through the final Thursday round.

🏆 Prize Fund

The confirmed total cash prize fund is EUR 6,250, or about USD 7,198. That published total gives the event a strong competitive profile for a Portuguese summer open and supports its position as one of the more attractive international festivals on the local calendar.

👥 Sections / Groups

The main event uses one open classical section. Alongside it, the festival also includes a separate blitz tournament during the event. Therefore, players can focus on the main classical competition while still having an extra fast-chess option inside the same festival week.

🗓️ Schedule

The official playing schedule for the main open is already available. First, the tournament starts on Friday evening. Then it moves through two double-round days before returning to single-round afternoons and a final morning round on Thursday.

The festival also includes a separate blitz tournament on August 2, 2026.

📝 Registration

Online registration is already available through the official tournament form. Players can choose registration for the open only, the blitz only, or both events. In addition, the registration form collects the player’s full name, ID details, contact data, birth date, FIDE number, Elo, club, nationality, and bye preferences.

🏢 Organizer

The official Leça Chess Open team manages the event through the tournament website and registration platform. The main public contact for the event is the tournament email, while the official site also lists a direct phone contact for Raul Silva.

Phone: +351 917 001 245
Email: lecachessopen@gmail.com
Website: https://www.lecachessopen.com

📍 Venue

Leça da Palmeira Municipal Sports Hall, Rua Margarida Ramalho, nº 61, 4450-337 Leça da Palmeira, Portugal

The playing venue sits in Leça da Palmeira, in the municipality of Matosinhos. Moreover, it is about 6 km from Porto Airport, about 7 km from Porto’s historic center, and about 1 km from the Atlantic seafront. That location gives players a practical tournament base with quick access to both the city and the coast.

🚆 How to Get There

Most international visitors will arrive through Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto. From there, the venue is a short transfer away by car or taxi. In addition, players coming from central Porto can also reach Leça da Palmeira easily, and local road access is straightforward from the Matosinhos area.

This Portuguese summer open is a strong choice for players who want a full week of classical chess close to Porto and the Atlantic coast.