STEIN AM RHEIN OPEN 1/26 — Swiss City Open (20–22 March 2026)
STEIN AM RHEIN OPEN 1/26 — Swiss City Open (20–22 March 2026) brings a focused 5-round classical weekend to one of Switzerland’s most charming medieval towns, right by Lake Constance. The event is run under the Swiss Chess Tour banner with a compact schedule and clear regulations.
📌 Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | 20 – 22 March 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Stein am Rhein, Switzerland |
| 🏟️ Venue | Hotel Restaurant Rheinfels, Rhigass 8, CH-8260 Stein am Rhein |
| 🏁 Tournament Type | FIDE-rated International Open |
| 🧩 Tournament System | Swiss System |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | 5 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move 1 |
| ⏰ Default Time | 60 minutes waiting tolerance |
| 👥 Capacity | Max. 60 players |
| 💸 Entry Fee | CHF 100 (standard); CHF 80 for U16 / IM / GM |
| 📝 Bye | One ½-point bye available in Rounds 1–3 (request ≥12h before start) |
💰 Prize Fund
Total Prize Fund: CHF 2,400 (guaranteed from 45+ participants, otherwise pro-rata).
Main Prizes
| Place | CHF |
|---|---|
| 1 | 500 |
| 2 | 400 |
| 3 | 300 |
| 4 | 200 |
Rating Prizes
| Band | 1st | 2nd |
|---|---|---|
| 2000–2199 | 150 | 100 |
| 1800–1999 | 150 | 100 |
| 1600–1799 | 150 | 100 |
| <1600 | 150 | 100 |
⏱️ Time Control & Regulations
- 90′ + 30″/move from move 1.
- Default time: 60 minutes.
- One ½-point bye possible in Rounds 1–3 (pre-request).
- Maximum 60 participants.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Event / Round | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, 20 Mar | Attendance Control | 19:00–19:50 |
| Fri, 20 Mar | Round 1 | 20:00 |
| Sat, 21 Mar | Round 2 | 09:30 |
| Sat, 21 Mar | Round 3 | 15:00 |
| Sun, 22 Mar | Round 4 | 09:00 |
| Sun, 22 Mar | Round 5 | 14:00 |
| Sun, 22 Mar | Awards | After Round 5 |
📝 Registration
- Entry fee CHF 100; U16/IM/GM CHF 80.
- Capacity limited to 60 — early registration strongly advised.
- One ½-point bye may be taken in R1–R3 if requested in advance.
🏟️ Venue
Hotel Restaurant Rheinfels, Rhigass 8, CH-8260 Stein am Rhein — a central location in the medieval old town, overlooking the Rhine.
🛏️ Accommodation
Hotels and guesthouses available in Stein am Rhein and nearby towns. Recommended options:
- Hotel Chlosterhof Stein am Rhein
- Garni Hotel Adler
- Guesthouses within the old town
Early booking is recommended due to limited capacity.
🚉 How to Get There
- By Train: Regular services from Zurich and Schaffhausen to Stein am Rhein station.
- By Air: Zurich International Airport (ZRH) — approx. 1h by train.
- By Car: Accessible via A4 motorway; public parking available near the venue.
The Stein am Rhein Open 2026 offers an unforgettable blend of serious chess, professional organization, and the cultural charm of one of Switzerland’s most beautiful historic towns.
Organizer
Swiss Chess Tour is a Swiss chess events organization based in Melano (Ticino), Switzerland. It operates as an experienced tournament organizer that delivers well-structured weekend competitions across the country. Over the years, it has become a familiar name on the Swiss chess calendar for reliable communication and consistent playing conditions.
In addition, Swiss Chess Tour runs a broad series of open chess tournament events under the Swiss Chess Tour banner. It organizes the Stein am Rhein Open 1/26 — Swiss City Open, a FIDE-rated tournament played in classical chess with a compact multi-round schedule. Moreover, its wider program often includes rapid chess and blitz side events at selected festivals and venues.
Furthermore, the team prioritizes fair play, punctual rounds, and smooth on-site logistics for local and visiting players. As a result, many participants follow the circuit from city to city for consistent organization and a welcoming competitive atmosphere.
