Elevate your autumn chess calendar with the Mendrisio Chess Open & Blitz, a dual-format festival set on the shores of Lake Lugano in southern Switzerland. From September 5–7, 2025, the Swiss Lake Open brings five rounds of classical Swiss competition under FIDE-rated, norm-eligible conditions, while the Swiss Lake Blitz bursts to life on September 6 with a rapid seven-round showdown. Hosted at the charming Albergo Ristorante Svizzero in Capolago (just across the border from Mendrisio), this event welcomes players of all strengths to enjoy crisp time controls, professional pairings, and the region’s Italian-speaking hospitality.
Organized by Swiss Chess Tour—the engine behind Switzerland’s top open series like the Lenzerheide Amateur, Pontresina Open, and Biel Masters—this festival combines competitive rigor with a picturesque setting. Whether you aim for classical rating gains, a blitz thrill, or simply wish to savor Ticino’s autumn vistas from Monte Generoso, Mendrisio delivers a uniquely Swiss tournament experience.
🎯 EVENT DETAILS
| Dates: | September 5–7, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Place & Venue: | Capolago (near Mendrisio), Switzerland Albergo Ristorante Svizzero |
| Address: | Via Famiglia Avv. Scacchi 13, CH-6825 Capolago |
| Sections: | Swiss Lake Open (5-round classical) Swiss Lake Blitz (7-round blitz) |
| Total prize fund: | Prizes awarded in all sections (details on site) |
| Federations: | FIDE & Swiss Chess Federation |
| Time Controls: | Open: 90′ + 30″ increment Blitz: 5′ + 0″ |
| Number of rounds: | 5 (Open) & 7 (Blitz) |
| Pairings: | Swiss-Manager |
| Tournament Director: | IA Jean-Dominique Coqueraut (ITA) |
| Chief Arbiter: | IA Jean-Dominique Coqueraut (ITA) |
⏱ TIME CONTROL
- Swiss Lake Open: 90 minutes per player + 30-second increment from move one.
- Swiss Lake Blitz: 5 minutes per player, no increment.
🗓 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
| Date | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Sep 5 | Rounds 1–2 (Open) | 14:00 & 19:00 |
| Sat, Sep 6 | Rounds 3–4 (Open) | 10:00 & 15:00 |
| Sat, Sep 6 | Blitz Tournament (7 rds) | 20:00 |
| Sun, Sep 7 | Round 5 (Open) & Closing | 10:00 & ~15:00 |
Half-point byes available in Rounds 1–4 (request before round start).
💰 PRIZE FUND
Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded to the top finishers and category winners in both the Open and Blitz events. Detailed breakdowns will be posted on-site and on Chess-Results.
📝 REGISTRATION
- Entry fees (Open): CHF 80 (by Aug 25) / CHF 100 (after & on-site)
- Entry fees (Blitz): CHF 30 flat rate up to start time
- Free entry for GM/IM/WGM/WIM with advance registration
- How to register: Online via the Swiss Chess Tour portal or on-site before Round 1
- Payment: Credit card or Swiss bank transfer; cash on-site if space remains
✈️ TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION
Albergo Ristorante Svizzero sits on Lake Lugano’s eastern shore, 10 km south of Lugano–Agno Airport (LUG) and 5 km from Mendrisio Train Station.
- By train: Trenord/TILO lines to Capolago-Riva San Vitale station (300 m walk)
- By car: A2 motorway, exit Mendrisio; free hotel parking available
- Nearby lodging: Hotel Milano and B&B Swiss Lake, both within 1 km
🏛 ORGANIZER: SWISS CHESS TOUR
The Swiss Chess Tour is Switzerland’s premier open-tournament series, showcasing events such as the Lenzerheide Amateur, the Pontresina Open, the Biel Masters, and the Mendrisio Chess Open & Blitz. Led by Claudio Boschetti, the Tour attracts hundreds of players each year, offering generous prize funds, FIDE-rated pairings, and professional direction under certified International Arbiters.
📞 CONTACT DETAILS
- Address: c/o Claudio Boschetti, Via Cantonale 76, CH-6818 Melano, Switzerland
- Email (main): info@swisschesstour.com
- Email (additional): claudio@swisschesstour.com
- Phone (main): +41 79 620 53 26
🌟 WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE
The Mendrisio Chess Open & Blitz offers both classical depth and rapid excitement in one of Switzerland’s most scenic regions. With FIDE-rated, norm-eligible play, seamless Swiss-Manager pairings, and the backing of the Swiss Chess Tour’s top-tier organization, this festival delivers a memorable chess experience against the backdrop of Lake Lugano. Don’t miss your chance to compete where the Alps meet Italian charm—register today!
Additional Details
Playing Venue - Capolago (near Mendrisio), Switzerland Albergo Ristorante Svizzero
Organizer - SWISS CHESS TOUR
Organizer Phone - +41 79 620 53 26
Organizer email - info@swisschesstour.com
Tournament Director - IA Jean-Dominique Coqueraut
Chief Arbiter - IA Jean-Dominique Coqueraut
Time control - Open: 90′ + 30″ increment | Blitz: 5′ + 0″
Number of rounds - 5 (Open) & 7 (Blitz)
Tournament system - SWISS
Rating - FIDE
Organizer
The Swiss Chess Tour stands as Switzerland’s foremost circuit of open tournaments, dedicated to promoting over-the-board chess across the country’s most scenic regions. Since its inception, the Tour has organized marquee events such as the Lenzerheide Amateur, the Pontresina Open, the Biel Masters, and the Lugano Summer Festival, drawing both aspiring talents and seasoned grandmasters. Each tournament under the Swiss Chess Tour banner features FIDE-rated, norm-eligible formats, live digital pairings, and professional side-events—ensuring a world-class experience for every participant.
Beyond its flagship opens, the Swiss Chess Tour sustains year-round activity through rapid and blitz series, scholastic workshops, and community outreach in partnership with local clubs and cultural institutions. Tournament Director Claudio Boschetti and his team of certified International Arbiters deliver precise pairings, clear rule enforcement, and multilingual support. Their commitment to hospitality extends to curated excursion packages—lake cruises, mountain tram rides, and guided Old-Town tours—that blend competitive chess with Swiss cultural immersion.