The Mediterranean meets competitive chess at the Sardinia World Chess Festival 2026 in Orosei, Sardinia, Italy, from 3-10 May 2026 at the seaside Club Hotel Marina Beach. Across three rating bands – Open A, Open B, Open C – players compete in a unified festival with a single classical format, synchronized rounds, and a rich prize fund spanning main prizes, rating prizes, and special awards.
Enjoy a true chess-holiday experience: a full nine rounds with professional organization, a spectacular beachfront venue, bundled full-board accommodation options, and optional excursions and activities for families and companions. Rounds run daily from 3–10 May 2026, with two double-round days and a closing ceremony on the final afternoon.
The Sardinia World Chess Festival 2026 was featured on ChessBase News in an article by Frederic Friedel, co-founder of ChessBase and editor-in-chief emeritus of ChessBase News. This recognition adds another strong international spotlight to the festival and its unique chess atmosphere in Sardinia.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🗓️ Dates | 3-10 May 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Club Hotel Marina Beach, Orosei, Sardinia, Italy |
| ♟️ Format | 9-Round Swiss across three sections (A, B, C) |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes with 30″ increment from move 1 (no second period) |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rated (Standard) |
| ✅ Eligibility | Open A: Elo ≥2000 • Open B: Elo <2000 • Open C: Elo <1699 (foreign unrated must show national rating) |
| 🎟️ Byes | One ½-point bye allowed, not in the last two rounds; must be requested before the tournament |
| ⏳ Default Time | 60 minutes (time tolerance) |
| 👔 Dress Code | Appropriate attire required (no shorts, flip-flops, sandals in the playing hall) |
🏆 Prize Fund
All amounts in EUR. Prizes are paid by bank transfer; attendance at the prize-giving is mandatory to receive prizes.
Open A (≥2000 Elo) – Main & Special
| Place | Prize | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10,000 | 9 | 700 |
| 2 | 6,000 | 10 | 600 |
| 3 | 4,000 | 11 | 400 |
| 4 | 2,000 | 12 | 400 |
| 5 | 1,500 | 13 | 400 |
| 6 | 1,000 | 14 | 400 |
| 7 | 900 | 15 | 400 |
| 8 | 800 |
| Special Prizes | Prize |
|---|---|
| Best Woman 1–4 | 1,000 / 800 / 600 / 350 |
| Best U18 | 300 |
| Best Veteran 65+ | 300 |
| Rating Prizes | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elo 2000–2200 | 500 | 300 | 200 |
| Elo 2201–2299 | 500 | 300 | 200 |
| Elo 2300–2399 | 500 | 300 | 200 |
Open B (<2000 Elo) – Main, Special & Rating
| Place | Prize | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,500 | 6 | 300 |
| 2 | 1,000 | 7 | 200 |
| 3 | 700 | 8 | 150 |
| 4 | 500 | 9 | 150 |
| 5 | 400 | 10 | 150 |
| Special Prizes | Prize |
|---|---|
| Best Woman 1–4 | 500 / 400 / 300 / 150 |
| Best U18 | 300 |
| Best Veteran 65+ | 300 |
| Rating Prizes | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elo 1700–1799 | 250 | 150 | 100 |
| Elo 1800–1899 | 250 | 150 | 100 |
| Elo 1900–1999 | 250 | 150 | 100 |
Open C (<1699 Elo) – Main, Special & Rating
| Place | Prize | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,200 | 6 | 200 |
| 2 | 800 | 7 | 150 |
| 3 | 600 | 8 | 120 |
| 4 | 400 | 9 | 100 |
| 5 | 300 | 10 | 80 |
| Special Prizes | Prize |
|---|---|
| Best Woman 1–4 | 300 / 200 / 150 / 50 |
| Best U18 | 300 |
| Best Veteran 65+ | 300 |
| Rating Prizes | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elo 1600–1699 | 250 | 150 | 100 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
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Classical: 90′ for 40 moves + 30′ to finish, with +30″/move from move one.
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System: Swiss, 9 rounds (A, B, C).
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Tie-break order: REP → Buchholz Total → Buchholz Cut-1 → Sonneborn-Berger → ARO (Average Rating of Opponents).
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Ratings/Lists: Registrations are reassessed on the May Elo list; the Organizing Committee may grant up to 10 wild cards per section.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Eligibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open A | Elo ≥2000 | Strongest section with deep main and rating prizes |
| Open B | Elo <2000 | Extensive prizes + women/U18/65+ awards |
| Open C | Elo <1699 | Tailored to developing players; women/U18/65+ awards |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity / Round |
|---|---|---|
| Sun, 3 May | 09:30–12:00 | Accreditation |
| Sun, 3 May | 15:30 | Round 1 |
| Mon, 4 May | 15:30 | Round 2 |
| Tue, 5 May | 09:30 | Round 3 |
| Tue, 5 May | 15:30 | Round 4 |
| Wed, 6 May | 15:30 | Round 5 |
| Thu, 7 May | 15:30 | Round 6 |
| Fri, 8 May | 15:30 | Round 7 |
| Sat, 9 May | 15:30 | Round 8 |
| Sun, 10 May | 09:30 | Round 9 |
| Sun, 10 May | 15:30 | Closing Ceremony |
📝 Registration
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Single entry fee for all participants (uniform policy):
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€100 if registered by 31 March
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€130 if registered by 15 April (subject to OC approval)
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€150 from 16 April (subject to OC approval)
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Non-hotel fee: +€50 for players not staying at the official hotel (Sardinian residents exempt).
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Payment (bank transfer):
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Payee: A.S.D. EMMEDI SPORT
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IBAN: IT19Y0306909606100000196988
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SWIFT/BIC: BCITITMMXXX
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Bank: Intesa San Paolo
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How to enter: Use the official registration form on the festival website and provide full details (name, FIDE ID, federation, current Elo, section).
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Notes: Prizes are paid only via bank transfer under local tax law. Attendance at the prize-giving is required to receive prizes.
👥 Organizer
The festival is organized by the Sardinia World Chess Festival team.
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Email: sardiniaworldchess@gmail.com
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WhatsApp: +39 329 795 4623, +39 392 215 9003
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Website: https://sardinia-worldchess.it/
🏨 Venue
All rounds take place at the Club Hotel Marina Beach, a beachfront resort in Orosei with large playing halls and resort facilities suitable for a week-long chess holiday.
🛎️ Accommodation
Stay directly at the Club Hotel Marina Beach (official hotel & playing venue) or nearby apartments.
| Option | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single room (hotel) | €1,000 / week | Full board; price per room |
| Double room (hotel) | €900 / week per person | Full board; price per person |
| Triple room (hotel) | €800 / week per person | Full board; price per person |
| Apartments (≈1 km) | €150 / day | Up to 4 people (self-catered) |
Hotel package includes: 7 nights full board (dinner May 3 → lunch May 10), airport shuttle (Olbia) on May 2-3 & May 10-11, drinks with meals, resort facilities (private beach with umbrellas & sunbeds), evening entertainment.
Not included: Tournament entry, travel insurance, optional excursions (e.g., Cala Goloritzé).
🚗 How to Get There
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By air: Fly to Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB). Official shuttle service runs on May 2-3 for arrivals and May 10-11 for departures (other dates on request).
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By car: Orosei is ~90 km south of Olbia via SS125/SS131; parking available at/near the resort.
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On island: Buses/car rentals connect Olbia with Orosei; plan extra time during holiday periods.
Step into spring chess by the Tyrrhenian Sea – sharpen your strategy, enjoy Sardinia’s beaches, and compete for top prizes at the Sardinia World Chess Festival 2026!
Organizer
Emmedi Sport ASD is an Italian tournament organizer based in Sardinia, Italy. Over the years, it has built a reputation for staging international chess events in Orosei. As a result, the group plays a central role in promoting top-level chess tourism on the island.
In addition, Emmedi Sport ASD organizes the Sardinia World Chess Festival in Orosei, including the 2026 edition. The festival runs as a major open chess tournament with multiple sections and synchronized rounds. Moreover, it is designed as a FIDE-rated tournament in a classical chess format, with clear regulations and a strong prize structure.
Furthermore, the team works closely with the official hotel venue to streamline lodging and playing conditions. For example, the event takes place at Club Hotel Marina Beach, which supports a true chess festival atmosphere. Consequently, the tournament attracts titled players, ambitious amateurs, and international guests each year.
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.
