The Maia Chess Open 2025 welcomes chess enthusiasts from around the world to compete and connect in the vibrant city of Maia, Portugal. Organized by the Maia Chess Academy (AXM) with the support of the Maia City Council, this prestigious tournament blends high-level competition, learning opportunities, and community spirit in a professional yet welcoming environment.
📅 Event Overview
- Dates: August 22–30, 2025
- Location: TECMAIA, Rua Eng. Frederico Ulrich 2650, 4470-605 Maia, Portugal
- Time Control: 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment from move one
- Rounds: 9-round Swiss system
- Rating: FIDE and Portuguese Chess Federation rated
🗓️ Tournament Schedule
- Round 1 – August 22 at 7:00 PM
- Round 2 – August 23 at 4:00 PM
- Round 3 – August 24 at 4:00 PM
- Round 4 – August 25 at 4:00 PM
- Round 5 – August 26 at 4:00 PM
- Round 6 – August 27 at 10:00 AM
- Round 7 – August 28 at 4:00 PM
- Round 8 – August 29 at 4:00 PM
- Round 9 – August 30 at 10:00 AM
- Closing Ceremony – August 30 at 4:00 PM
🏆 Prize Fund and Awards
The tournament offers a total prize fund of €8,000, distributed across multiple categories:
- Maia Masters – open to all players, including those seeking title norms
- U2000 Section – exclusively for players rated below 2000
- Special Prizes – awarded to the best female, junior, senior, and local player
📝 Registration and Participation
- Registration: Participants must send their name and FIDE ID to the organizer’s email or use the official registration form
- Entry Fee: €50
- Payment Methods:
- Bank Transfer: IBAN PT50 0010 0000 5839 7720 0015 0
- PayPal: Provided upon registration request
- Confirmation: The organizer confirms registration only after payment
📍 Venue Information
- Tournament Venue: TECMAIA – Technology Park of Maia
- Full Address: Rua Eng. Frederico Ulrich 2650, 4470-605 Maia, Portugal
- GPS: 41.259249, -8.642422
This modern venue provides excellent conditions for players and guests, including spacious halls, easy accessibility, and free Wi-Fi.
✈️ Travel and Accommodation
Maia offers convenient transport options and nearby accommodations:
- By Air: Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (Porto) lies just 10 km from Maia
- By Train: Frequent trains connect Maia to Porto and surrounding cities
- By Car: Well-connected highways provide quick access by vehicle
Several hotels and guesthouses in Maia offer special rates for tournament participants.
🧑💼 Organizer Information
- Organizer: Maia Chess Academy (AXM)
- Email: geral.axm@gmail.com
- Website: www.axm.pt
AXM promotes chess education in northern Portugal and works closely with schools, clubs, and local government to host events like the Maia Chess Open.
👨⚖️ Tournament Officials
- Tournament Director: Duarte Duarte (FIDE ID: 2107813)
- Chief Arbiter: IA Carlos Ferreira (FIDE ID: 1922262)
- Deputy Chief Arbiter: IA Eduardo López (FIDE ID: 22225501)
Additional Details
Playing Venue - TECMAIA – Technology Park of Maia
Prize Fund - €8,000
Organizer - Maia Chess Academy
Organizer Phone - +351917219481
Organizer email - geral.axm@gmail.com
Tournament Director - Duarte Duarte
Chief Arbiter - IA Carlos Ferreira
Time control - 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment from move one
Number of rounds - 9
Tournament system - SWISS
Rating - FIDE
Organizer
Maia Chess Academy (AXM) plays a vital role in promoting chess culture and education in northern Portugal. Founded with a mission to develop talent and instill a love for the game, AXM trains players of all ages and skill levels through structured lessons, club activities, and national and international tournaments. The academy collaborates closely with schools, municipalities, and the Portuguese Chess Federation to deliver professional training and organize major chess events, including the prestigious Maia Chess Open. AXM’s team includes experienced instructors, titled players, and FIDE-certified arbiters who guide students both in-person and online.