Open Chess La Roda 2026 brings top-level competitive chess to March 31–April 5, 2026 in La Roda, Spain with a full week of classical play and a strong international field. The tournament runs a 9-round Swiss that suits ambitious title seekers, seasoned open specialists, and improving club players who want serious games. The organizer submits results for FIDE rating and targets norm standards with professional tournament administration. A major €20,000 cash prize fund and multiple prize categories add extra incentives across the standings.

The event uses a demanding classical pace and a compact schedule that includes double-round days and a Sunday finish. The organizer hosts play at La Caja Blanca – Andrés Martínez Cebrián, a dedicated venue in La Roda that supports a focused playing hall environment. Players can also target women’s, veteran, regional, provincial, local, and rating-group prizes under clear non-cumulative rules. The tournament closes with a final-round Sunday morning and an awards ceremony the same day.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

The organizer awards prizes in strict order of final standing and does not split prizes between tied players. Each player can win only one prize, and the organizer awards the highest-value prize when a player qualifies in multiple categories. The organizer applies legal withholding to prizes above €300.

General Classification (Cash)

Women’s Classification (Cash)

Veterans (Cash)

Regional, Provincial, and Local (Cash)

Rating-Group Prizes (Cash)

Trophy Awards (Non-cash)

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament uses a 9-round Swiss system and computer pairings. The organizer applies a time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move from move 1. The organizer sets the default time at 60 minutes for Round 1 and 30 minutes for all other rounds.

Players can request up to three half-point byes, and the organizer grants byes only through a written request. Players must use requested byes before Round 7, and invited players cannot request byes.

The tournament uses these tie-breaks in order: Brazilian, Buchholz, Progressive Score, Sonneborn-Berger, head-to-head, and number of wins. If all tie-breaks remain equal, the organizer decides the final placement by a blitz playoff at 3 minutes + 2 seconds per move.

📂 Sections / Groups

The tournament runs a single Open section and awards additional category prizes for women, veterans, regional/provincial/local eligibility, and FIDE rating groups, plus selected trophy awards.

📅 Schedule

📝 Registration

Players must check in at the venue before 5:30 PM on March 31 to enter the Round 1 pairing. Spanish players must hold a valid Spanish federation license, and players from other countries can participate without a Spanish license requirement. The organizer can remove players who miss a game or fail to arrive in the playing hall before the start of Round 1.

👥 Organizer

Roda Club Ajedrez TORNEOS (Club Ajedrez Polideportivo La Roda) organizes Open Chess La Roda and manages pairings, arbiters, and prize administration through the official tournament platform.

• Email: info@openchesslaroda.com

• Phone: +34 697 529 948, +34 697 544 939

• Website: https://openchesslaroda.com/torneo/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/openchesslaroda/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openchesslaroda/

🏨 Venue

La Caja Blanca – Andrés Martínez Cebrián, Avda. Castilla La Mancha, 74, La Roda, Spain
The organizer hosts all rounds in this dedicated La Roda playing venue for the full tournament week.

🛎️ Accommodation

🚗 How to Get There

Plan your arrival in La Roda early on March 31 so you can reach the venue and complete the on-site check-in before the Round 1 pairing deadline.

Bring your best classical form and chase a strong finish in one of Spain’s most tradition-rich open tournaments with a serious €20,000 cash prize fund.

🧾 Other

The organizer enforces strict device control in the playing area and requires players to keep phones and electronic devices switched off unless an arbiter approves an exception. Players can only access any stored device with arbiter permission, and the organizer can apply game-loss penalties for violations. The organizer also requires clear algebraic notation and collects signed score sheets after each game, and participation grants permission for the organizer to publish results and event media (photos and videos).