Open de la Vallée de l’Oise 2026 takes place on September 12-13, 2026, in Mériel, France. The event offers three FIDE-rated classical sections at Espace Rive Gauche.
This is a chess tournament in Mériel, France, in 2026. Players can compete in a FIDE-rated chess tournament with 6 Swiss-system rounds and a 60 minutes + 30 seconds time control.
The tournament is organized by L’Isle-Adam Echecs and offers Open A, Open B, and Open C sections by rating level. In addition, the compact weekend schedule makes the event practical for players from Val-d’Oise, Île-de-France, and nearby regions.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | Open de la Vallée de l’Oise 2026 |
| 📅 Dates | September 12-13, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Mériel, France |
| 🏛️ Venue | Espace Rive Gauche, 2 rue des Petits Prés, 95630 Mériel, France |
| ♟️ Format | Classical Swiss tournament with three sections |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE-rated |
| 🔢 Rounds | 6 rounds |
| ⏱️ Time control | 60 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| 💰 Prize fund | €1,800, approximately $2,110 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The Open de la Vallée de l’Oise 2026 uses a 6-round Swiss system in each section. Each player receives 60 minutes for the game, plus a 30-second increment per move.
The event counts for the October 2026 FIDE rating list. Therefore, players can use this classical chess tournament as a focused weekend rating opportunity.
The tournament has three rating-based sections. As a result, players can choose a group that better matches their playing strength.
💰 Prize Fund
The confirmed prize fund is €1,800, approximately $2,110. Prizes are guaranteed if 150 players take part across Open A, Open B, and Open C.
Open-A Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| Total prize fund | €1,000 |
| 1st place | €400 |
| 2nd place | €300 |
| 3rd place | €200 |
| Category prizes | Included in the section prize fund |
Open-B Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| Total prize fund | €500 |
| 1st place | €200 |
| 2nd place | €150 |
| 3rd place | €100 |
| Category prizes | Included in the section prize fund |
Open-C Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| Total prize fund | €300 |
| 1st place | €100 |
| 2nd place | €70 |
| 3rd place | €50 |
| Category prizes | Included in the section prize fund |
🧩 Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Open A | Players rated 1800–2399 Elo |
| Open B | Players rated 1500–1899 Elo |
| Open C | Players rated up to 1599 Elo |
The section rating bands overlap in some areas. Therefore, players near a rating boundary should confirm the correct section before registration.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 09:00–09:45 | Attendance confirmation |
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 1 |
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 14:00 | Round 2 |
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 3 |
| Sunday, September 13, 2026 | 09:00 | Round 4 |
| Sunday, September 13, 2026 | 13:00 | Round 5 |
| Sunday, September 13, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 6 |
| Sunday, September 13, 2026 | From 19:00 | Prize ceremony |
📝 Registration
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Adult entry fee | €30 |
| Adult entry fee from September 5, 2026 | €35 |
| Youth entry fee | €20 |
| Youth entry fee from September 5, 2026 | €25 |
| Registration contact email | b.pieragnoli@gmail.com |
| Registration contact phone | +33 6 81 35 58 93 |
Players should register early to secure the lower entry fee. In addition, they should arrive during the Saturday morning attendance window before the first round starts.
🏛️ Organizer
L’Isle-Adam Echecs organizes the Open de la Vallée de l’Oise 2026. The club offers players a structured weekend event with three FIDE-rated sections, clear rating bands, and a practical schedule for competitive classical chess.
Email: b.pieragnoli@gmail.com
Phone: +33 6 81 35 58 93
📍 Venue
Espace Rive Gauche, 2 rue des Petits Prés, 95630 Mériel, France
The tournament takes place at Espace Rive Gauche in Mériel. Players should use the full rue des Petits Prés address for navigation and arrive before the attendance confirmation period closes.
🚆 How to Get There
Mériel is located in Val-d’Oise, north of Paris. Players can reach the town by car, regional rail, taxi, or local transport from nearby Île-de-France communities.
The venue address gives players a clear navigation point. Since Round 1 starts at 10:00 on Saturday, participants should allow enough time for travel, parking, and check-in.
The Open de la Vallée de l’Oise 2026 offers a clear FIDE-rated chess weekend with three sections, useful prizes, and a strong local club setting.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $2,110
Organizer
♟️ Club Identity
L’Isle-Adam Echecs is a chess club in L’Isle-Adam, Val-d’Oise, France. The club was created in 2018 and is affiliated with the Fédération Française des Échecs. It welcomes young players and adults of all levels, from beginners to competitive club players. Its regular playing venue is Centre associatif Françoise Bonn, where members meet for lessons, training, friendly games, and club activity. The club also uses Maison de la Faisanderie for Sunday competitions and larger chess sessions. In addition, L’Isle-Adam Echecs has grown into an active local chess association with more than 100 members. This gives players in the northwestern Paris region a clear place to learn, compete, and enjoy chess in a structured club setting.
🏆 Tournament Activity
L’Isle-Adam Echecs organizes the Open de la Vallée de l’Oise 2026, a FIDE-rated classical tournament held in Mériel. The event includes three rating-based sections: Open A, Open B, and Open C. It uses six Swiss-system rounds with a 60 minutes plus 30 seconds time control. The club also organizes regular rapid and blitz events in L’Isle-Adam, including youth rapid tournaments and open blitz competitions. Moreover, its teams compete in French club structures, including adult interclub competition, youth interclubs, women’s interclubs, the Coupe Loubatière, the Coupe de France, and the Critérium Cavalier. Therefore, the club offers players several routes into competition, from friendly club games to rated weekend tournaments and team chess.
🌱 Youth Chess and Training Activity
L’Isle-Adam Echecs supports youth chess and player development through structured courses, school-oriented activity, and team competition. Its youth courses use several level groups, including early learning, beginners, initiated players, confirmed players, and selected performance groups. The club also offers online training options for some young players, with tactical work and guided play through Lichess. In addition, its youth teams compete in French interclub divisions, giving juniors real experience in long time control games. Adults also benefit from Thursday evening training, open play, and beginner-to-improvement courses. As a result, the club gives families, juniors, adult beginners, and ambitious competitors a practical chess pathway. Its mix of lessons, tournaments, team chess, and community activity makes it a strong chess organizer in Val-d’Oise.
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