Open International de Liffré 2026 will take place from October 17–23, 2026, in Liffré, France. This is a chess tournament in Liffré, France, in 2026.
The event offers a FIDE-rated classical chess tournament with two 9-round groups: Tournament A and Tournament B. Tournament A is for players rated 1650 Elo and above, while Tournament B is for players rated below 1750 Elo.
The tournament suits competitive players, club players, youth players, coaches, families, and visitors. In addition, Tournament A offers title norm opportunities for GM, IM, WGM, and WIM norms.
♟️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏷️ Tournament | Open International de Liffré 2026 |
| 📅 Dates | October 17–23, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Liffré, France |
| 🏛️ Venue | Espace Intergénérations, 7 Rue des Écoles, 35340 Liffré, France |
| ♟️ Format | Classical international open tournament |
| 🌍 Rating | FIDE-rated and FFE-rated |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| 🧩 Pairing system | Accelerated Swiss system |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes for 40 moves + 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment per move |
| 👥 Sections | Tournament A: Elo 1650 and above; Tournament B: Elo below 1750 |
| 🎯 Norm opportunities | Tournament A offers GM, IM, WGM, and WIM norm opportunities |
| 👤 Capacity | Maximum 240 players |
| ⏳ Default time | 30 minutes |
| 🧑⚖️ Chief arbiter | IA Dominique Ruhlmann |
| 💶 Entry fee | Adults: €50; youth players: €30 |
| 🏆 Prize fund | €5,000, approximately US$5,800 |
| 🏛️ Organizer | Échiquier du Pays de Liffré |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a classical time control of 90 minutes for the first 40 moves. After that, each player receives 30 minutes for the rest of the game. In addition, a 30-second increment applies from move 1.
Pairings follow the accelerated Swiss system across 9 rounds. The tournament uses Sharly Chess for pairings, and the official pairings appear online and at the venue before each round.
Players may not agree to a draw before move 30. Also, any player who arrives more than 30 minutes after the round starts loses the game by default, unless the arbiter decides otherwise.
🏆 Prize Fund
The tournament has a confirmed prize fund of €5,000, approximately US$5,800. Tournament A has a guaranteed first prize of €1,200.
| Prize Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total prize fund | €5,000 |
| Tournament A – 1st place | €1,200 |
Prizes are not cumulative. If a player qualifies for more than one prize, the higher prize applies.
👥 Sections / Groups
Tournament A
Tournament A is reserved for players rated 1650 Elo and above. It has 9 rounds and offers title norm opportunities for GM, IM, WGM, and WIM norms.
Tournament B
Tournament B is reserved for players rated below 1750 Elo. It also has 9 rounds and uses the same classical time control.
Rating Limit Exceptions
Players close to the rating limits may request an exception by email. The rating difference must stay within 20 Elo points of the relevant section limit.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|
| October 17, 2026 | 07:00–14:00 | Online check-in for eligible paid players |
| October 17, 2026 | 14:00 | Final check-in and registration deadline |
| October 17, 2026 | 14:45 | Players present for Round 1 |
| October 17, 2026 | 15:00 | Round 1 |
| October 18, 2026 | 09:00 | Round 2 |
| October 18, 2026 | 15:00 | Round 3 |
| October 19, 2026 | 14:00 | Round 4 |
| October 20, 2026 | 09:00 | Round 5 |
| October 20, 2026 | 15:00 | Round 6 |
| October 21, 2026 | 14:00 | Round 7 |
| October 22, 2026 | 14:00 | Round 8 |
| October 23, 2026 | 09:00 | Round 9 |
📝 Registration
| Registration Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Registration method | Advance registration through the tournament website |
| Adult entry fee | €50; €60 from October 11, 2026 |
| Youth entry fee | €30; €40 from October 11, 2026 |
| Capacity | Maximum 240 players |
| Membership requirement | FFE Licence A for FFE-affiliated players; FIDE registration for players from other federations |
| Free entry | GM, IM, WGM, WIM, French national youth elite team members, reigning French youth champions, and FFE-member ICCF GMs |
| On-site registration | Possible only if places remain available |
| Byes | One half-point bye may be requested in rounds 1–6 |
| Absence limit | Maximum of three absences, including forfeits and bye requests |
| Contact email | liffreopen@echecs35.fr |
🏛️ Organizer
Organizer: Échiquier du Pays de Liffré
Échiquier du Pays de Liffré organizes the Open International de Liffré 2026 as a two-section classical tournament in Liffré. The event gives players a 9-round FIDE-rated format, title norm opportunities in Tournament A, and a full week of rated chess in Ille-et-Vilaine.
Email: liffreopen@echecs35.fr
📍 Venue
Espace Intergénérations, 7 Rue des Écoles, 35340 Liffré, France
The tournament takes place at Espace Intergénérations in Liffré. Players should use the full venue address for map navigation and arrive early enough for check-in before the first round.
🚆 How to Get There
Players and visitors can travel directly to Espace Intergénérations at 7 Rue des Écoles in Liffré. The venue address gives local players, families, and visiting participants a clear arrival point for the tournament week.
ℹ️ Other Practical Information
The playing area includes the Salle Méliès and the Hall Doisneau. An analysis room is available, but players may not analyze games inside the competition area while play continues.
Electronic devices, including phones and smartwatches, must stay completely switched off during games. Players must keep them in a bag that remains at their seat or deposit them at the arbiter’s table.
Smoking, vaping, eating outside small snacks, and alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the playing area. In addition, players must stay inside the competition venue during games unless the arbiter gives permission to leave.
Overall, this event gives players a strong opportunity to compete in Liffré during a full 9-round international classical chess tournament.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $5,800
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Échiquier du Pays de Liffré is a chess club in Liffré, Brittany, France. The club gives players a regular place for over-the-board chess at Espace Intergénérations on Rue des Écoles. Its weekly rhythm includes Friday evening and Saturday morning activity, which supports both training and practical play.
The club belongs to the French Chess Federation and has an active local structure for children, adults, beginners, and competitive players. Its program includes chess lessons, free play, internal tournaments, interclub matches, and rated events. In addition, the club has adult interclub activity in Nationale 4 and youth interclub activity in Nationale 2, which gives members a clear route into team competition.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
Échiquier du Pays de Liffré organizes the International Open of Liffré, one of its main classical tournament projects. The event normally takes place during the autumn school holiday period and uses a long classical format with FIDE evaluation. Recent editions have included nine Swiss-system rounds, a 90-minute first control, extra time after move 40, and a 30-second increment from move one.
The club also runs other important events in Liffré. The Rapide de Liffré is a regular rapid chess tournament with separate sections for different player groups, including young players. The Open Pâquerette de Liffré gives lower-rated players a free classical tournament format, while the internal Sangliers and Marcassins series gives club members regular short-format competition. These events make the club active in both FIDE-rated chess and local club play.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Players can expect a friendly but structured chess environment with regular sessions, clear competition paths, and several formats during the season. The club’s youth chess school welcomes children from age six, as well as adults who want to learn or improve. Training groups follow player level and motivation, with sessions for beginners, developing players, confirmed players, and stronger competitors.
The club also connects local players with Brittany chess through youth championships, school chess, team events, rapid tournaments, and open competitions. Moreover, its training program includes tactical work, strategy, endgames, competitive preparation, Lichess tools, and educational material. As a result, players can start with lessons or casual games and then move toward club tournaments, interclubs, youth championships, and rated events.
For visiting players, Liffré offers a practical tournament setting close to Rennes. The club’s playing venue, event calendar, and competition experience give participants a stable base for classical, rapid, and youth chess in Ille-et-Vilaine.
Venue on the Map
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