The San Bernardino Festival 2026 will take place from 1 – 5 July 2026 at Hotel Lido in San Bernardino, Switzerland. This is a chess tournament in San Bernardino, Switzerland, in 2026.
The festival brings together two classical chess events at the same alpine venue. Players can choose the 2nd San Bernardino Senior Over 50 or the 31st Alpine Weekend Open.
Swiss Chess Tour organizes the festival in a clear and travel-friendly format. Therefore, the event works well for players who want FIDE-rated classical games, mountain scenery, and a compact chess trip in Switzerland.
📌 Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | 1 – 5 July 2026 |
| 📍 Location | San Bernardino, Switzerland |
| 🏟️ Venue | Hotel Lido, Strada del Lido 2, 6565 San Bernardino, Switzerland |
| ♟️ Tournament Type | Two-event classical chess festival |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 rounds in each event |
| 🧩 Format | Swiss System |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move |
| ⏰ Default Time | 15 minutes |
| 🧮 Main Tie-break | Buchholz |
| 🏁 Sections | 2nd San Bernardino Senior Over 50, 31st Alpine Weekend Open |
| 💰 Prize Fund | CHF 2,550, approx. $3,240 |
| 🏢 Organizer | Swiss Chess Tour |
| 🌐 Chess-Results | Over 50: https://chess-results.com/tnr1215194.aspx?lan=1 |
| 🌐 Chess-Results | Weekend Open: https://chess-results.com/tnr1215200.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The San Bernardino Festival 2026 uses a classical time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move. As a result, both events give players enough time for serious over-the-board games.
Each tournament has five rounds and follows the Swiss System. The main technical tie-break is Buchholz. In addition, each player may request one half-point bye during the first three rounds.
Players should also follow the tournament’s fair-play rules during play. Mobile phones and electronic devices must stay switched off and stored as required. Draw offers before move 30 are not allowed.
💰 Prize Fund
Prize Fund Overview
The total confirmed cash prize fund is CHF 2,550, approx. $3,240.
The festival prize fund covers both listed events. The Senior Over 50 prize fund applies from 20 players, while the Alpine Weekend Open prize fund applies from 25 players. If participation is lower, the organizer may award prizes pro rata.
♟️ Sections / Groups
| Section | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd San Bernardino Senior Over 50 | 1–5 July 2026 | Classical open section for players aged 50 and above |
| 31st Alpine Weekend Open | 3–5 July 2026 | Classical weekend open section |
The festival gives players two different tournament options. The Senior Over 50 event offers a five-day schedule with one game per day. Meanwhile, the Alpine Weekend Open gives players a shorter weekend format from Friday evening to Sunday.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Activity | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, 1 July 2026 | Senior Over 50 check-in | 14:00–14:50 |
| Wednesday, 1 July 2026 | Senior Over 50 Round 1 | 15:00 |
| Thursday, 2 July 2026 | Senior Over 50 Round 2 | 15:00 |
| Friday, 3 July 2026 | Senior Over 50 Round 3 | 15:00 |
| Friday, 3 July 2026 | Alpine Weekend Open check-in | 19:00–19:20 |
| Friday, 3 July 2026 | Alpine Weekend Open Round 1 | 19:30 |
| Saturday, 4 July 2026 | Alpine Weekend Open Round 2 | 09:30 |
| Saturday, 4 July 2026 | Senior Over 50 Round 4 | 15:00 |
| Saturday, 4 July 2026 | Alpine Weekend Open Round 3 | 15:00 |
| Sunday, 5 July 2026 | Senior Over 50 Round 5 | 09:30 |
| Sunday, 5 July 2026 | Alpine Weekend Open Round 4 | 09:30 |
| Sunday, 5 July 2026 | Senior Over 50 awards | Around 13:30 |
| Sunday, 5 July 2026 | Alpine Weekend Open Round 5 | 14:30 |
| Sunday, 5 July 2026 | Alpine Weekend Open awards | Around 18:30 |
📝 Registration
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Senior Over 50 Entry Fee | CHF 110 |
| Senior Over 50 Discounted Fee | CHF 80 for IM and GM players |
| Alpine Weekend Open Entry Fee | CHF 100 |
| Alpine Weekend Open Discounted Fee | CHF 80 for U16, IM, and GM players |
| Bye Option | One half-point bye may be requested in the first three rounds |
| Registration Contact | swisschesstour@bluewin.ch |
| Phone | +41 79 620 53 26 |
Players should register before traveling to San Bernardino. In addition, they should check the correct event schedule carefully, since the two sections start on different dates.
🏢 Organizer
Swiss Chess Tour organizes the San Bernardino Festival as part of its Swiss tournament program. The organizer runs classical opens, weekend tournaments, and age-group events across several Swiss destinations.
Email: swisschesstour@bluewin.ch
Phone: +41 79 620 53 26
🏟️ Venue
Hotel Lido, Strada del Lido 2, 6565 San Bernardino, Switzerland
The tournament venue is Hotel Lido in San Bernardino. The hotel sits near Lake Doss and offers a quiet alpine setting for classical chess. In addition, the venue keeps the playing hall, restaurant, and accommodation options close together.
🛏️ Accommodation
Players can stay at Hotel Lido or choose other accommodation in San Bernardino. The venue hotel offers rooms, restaurant service, free Wi-Fi, free parking, and a practical base near the playing area.
Because San Bernardino is a summer mountain destination, early booking is recommended. This is especially useful for players who want to stay at the tournament venue.
🚉 How to Get There
San Bernardino is accessible by car through the A13 route and the San Bernardino area exit. Drivers can continue toward Hotel Lido on Strada del Lido.
Players using public transport can travel by train toward Bellinzona, Chur, or Thusis. From there, regional bus connections serve San Bernardino. The venue is then reachable by local transfer or a short onward trip.
The San Bernardino Festival 2026 combines two FIDE-rated classical events, Swiss mountain scenery, and a practical hotel venue in one compact summer chess festival.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $3,240
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
SWISS CHESS TOUR is a Swiss chess tournament organizer led by Claudio Boschetti and based in Melano Val Mara, Ticino, Switzerland. The project focuses on over-the-board chess events in Switzerland and has built a clear identity around tournaments in attractive Swiss destinations. Its calendar connects mountain resorts, lakeside venues, city hotels, and weekend chess formats across several regions.
The organizer works as a touring chess brand rather than a single local chess club. This gives players a consistent event structure in many Swiss locations. In practice, participants can follow the same organizer from one tournament to another while enjoying different venues, formats, and travel settings.
SWISS CHESS TOUR is especially useful for players who want well-planned chess trips. The events often combine FIDE-rated play with hotel venues, compact schedules, and practical accommodation options. Therefore, the organizer serves club players, amateur competitors, older players, juniors, and traveling chess enthusiasts who want reliable tournament conditions in Switzerland.
🏆 Chess Events and Activities
SWISS CHESS TOUR organizes a broad tournament program throughout the year. Its activity includes classical opens, amateur tournaments, senior events, weekend festivals, and compact 2Days formats. The calendar regularly features events in places such as Basel, Davos, Flims, Lenzerheide, Lugano, Mendrisio, Serpiano, Stein am Rhein, Schaffhausen, and the Zürichsee area.
The organizer is also connected with important Swiss chess events. These include the Bundesturnier, which gives Swiss and international players a structured multi-section tournament with classical games and official rating opportunities. In addition, SWISS CHESS TOUR runs many accessible weekend events, which help busy players add serious chess to a short trip.
This variety gives the organizer a strong national role. Players can choose between longer festivals, weekend opens, senior-friendly tournaments, and rating-based amateur sections. Moreover, many events use hotel venues, clear schedules, and experienced arbiters. As a result, SWISS CHESS TOUR offers a practical route into chess tournaments in Switzerland for many types of players.
🌍 Player Experience and Community
Players who join SWISS CHESS TOUR events can expect a travel-friendly and professionally managed chess environment. The organizer often selects venues that work well for both chess and tourism. This approach helps participants combine competitive games with a pleasant stay in Switzerland.
The tournament formats also suit different chess goals. Strong players can look for serious classical competition. Amateur players can choose rating-based sections. Older players can join events designed around a comfortable rhythm. Meanwhile, weekend formats give working players a realistic way to compete without taking a long break.
For players searching for Swiss chess tournaments, FIDE-rated events, or chess weekends in scenic locations, SWISS CHESS TOUR offers a reliable and recognizable option. Its mix of regular events, established venues, practical formats, and experienced organization gives it a clear place in the Swiss tournament scene.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
