The VI FIA 2026 Chess Open will take place from July 29 to August 6, 2026, at Hotel Fariones in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, Spain. The international classical tournament features nine Swiss-system rounds and counts for FIDE standard rating and FIDE norm opportunities.
The tournament offers a confirmed €9,500 prize fund, including a €3,000 first prize and eight special category awards. The field is limited to 100 players, and registration closes on July 10, 2026.
Players receive 90 minutes for the game, plus a 30-second increment after every move. The tournament also applies a 30-minute default time and allows up to two half-point byes, except during the final two rounds.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | July 29–August 6, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, Spain |
| 🏛️ Venue | Hotel Fariones |
| 👤 Organizer | Cial de Lanzarote |
| 👥 Tournament Director | María Cristina Escobar López |
| ⚖️ Chief Arbiter | IA Pablo A. Arranz Martín |
| ⚖️ Deputy Chief Arbiter | AA Luana Soria Peirano |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss System |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30-second increment per move |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE standard rating and FIDE norm opportunities |
| 🆔 FIDE Event ID | 463576 |
| 👥 Player Limit | 100 players |
| 👤 Eligibility | Valid 2026 federation license and mandatory FIDE ID |
| 📝 Registration Deadline | July 10, 2026 |
| 💳 Entry Fee | €65 standard; €40 junior; discounts available |
| 💰 Prize Fund | €9,500 / approx. $10,870 |
| Chess-Results.com | https://chess-results.com/tnr1317968.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a nine-round individual Swiss System. Each player receives 90 minutes for the game, with a 30-second increment added after every move.
Swiss-Manager manages the official pairings and standings. The default time is 30 minutes after the scheduled start of each round. A player who arrives after that period may lose the game by forfeit.
Players may request up to two half-point byes. However, the organizer does not allow byes in rounds eight and nine.
Playing Format
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| System | Individual Swiss System |
| Rounds | 9 |
| Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| Default Time | 30 minutes |
| Rating Calculation | FIDE standard rating |
| Norm Opportunities | Valid for FIDE norms |
| Pairing Program | Swiss-Manager |
| Byes | Up to two half-point byes |
| Final-Round Restriction | No byes in rounds 8 and 9 |
| Notation | Algebraic notation is mandatory throughout the game |
Tie-Break Order
| Order | Tie-Break |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arranz System |
| 2 | Buchholz Cut 1 |
| 3 | Buchholz |
| 4 | Median Buchholz |
| 5 | Sonneborn-Berger |
| 6 | Blitz games, if required |
🏆 Prize Fund
The tournament offers a confirmed total cash prize fund of €9,500 / approximately $10,870.
Prizes are not cumulative. A player who qualifies for more than one award will receive the highest-value prize.
Main Ranking Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st place | €3,000 + trophy |
| 2nd place | €2,000 + trophy |
| 3rd place | €1,500 + trophy |
| 4th place | €1,000 |
Special Category Prizes
| Category | Prize |
|---|---|
| Veteran 50+ | €250 |
| Women players | €250 |
| Junior U18 | €250 |
| Insular category | €250 |
| Canary Islands category | €250 |
| National category | €250 |
| European Union category | €250 |
| International category | €250 |
Prize Rules
| Rule | Information |
|---|---|
| Non-Cumulative Prizes | Players receive only the highest-value prize for which they qualify |
| Tax | A 19% Spanish income tax deduction applies to prizes exceeding €300 |
| Awards Ceremony | Attendance is mandatory to claim a prize |
♟️ Sections / Groups
The VI FIA 2026 Chess Open consists of one open section. All registered players compete in the same nine-round Swiss tournament.
The main ranking determines the four general prizes. The tournament also offers separate category awards for veteran, women, junior, insular, Canary Islands, national, European Union, and international participants.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Open Tournament | All eligible registered players |
| Main Ranking | Prizes for the top four players |
| Veteran | Players aged 50 or older |
| Women | Special category prize |
| Junior U18 | Players born in 2008 or later |
| Insular | Special category prize |
| Canary Islands | Special category prize |
| National | Special category prize |
| European Union | Special category prize |
| International | Special category prize |
📅 Schedule
Rounds one through eight begin daily at 16:30. The final round starts at 10:00 on August 6.
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, July 29, 2026 | 16:30 | Round 1 |
| Thursday, July 30, 2026 | 16:30 | Round 2 |
| Friday, July 31, 2026 | 16:30 | Round 3 |
| Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 16:30 | Round 4 |
| Sunday, August 2, 2026 | 16:30 | Round 5 |
| Monday, August 3, 2026 | 16:30 | Round 6 |
| Tuesday, August 4, 2026 | 16:30 | Round 7 |
| Wednesday, August 5, 2026 | 16:30 | Round 8 |
| Thursday, August 6, 2026 | 10:00 | Round 9 |
| Thursday, August 6, 2026 | 15:00 | Awards ceremony |
Prize winners must attend the awards ceremony to receive their awards.
📝 Registration
Registration remains open until July 10, 2026. The organizer will accept a maximum of 100 players on a strict first-come, first-served basis.
Participants must submit the required player information and proof of payment by email or WhatsApp.
Registration Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Registration Deadline | July 10, 2026 |
| Player Limit | 100 players |
| Registration Method | Email or WhatsApp |
| cial.siglo21@gmail.com | |
| +34 627 887 429 | |
| Payment Method | Bank transfer |
| Bank | La Caixa |
| IBAN | ES95 2100 6992 4422 0005 7482 |
| Payment Reference | VI FIA 2026 |
Registration must include:
- full name;
- ID card or passport number;
- FIDE ID;
- chess club;
- proof of payment.
Entry Fees
| Player Category | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard players over 18 | €65 |
| Junior players born in 2008 or later | €40 |
| Returning FIA 2025 adult participants | €30 |
| Returning FIA 2025 junior participants | €20 |
| Adult residents of the Canary Islands | €30 |
| Junior residents of the Canary Islands | €20 |
| GM, WGM, IM, WIM, FM, and WFM | Free |
Players who withdrew from the 2025 edition must pay the applicable entry fee plus a €65 deposit. The organizer will refund the deposit after the player completes the 2026 tournament, provided the player does not request a bye in either of the final two rounds.
🧑💼 Organizer
Cial de Lanzarote organizes the VI FIA 2026 Chess Open.
María Cristina Escobar López serves as Tournament Director. IA Pablo A. Arranz Martín serves as Chief Arbiter, while AA Luana Soria Peirano serves as Deputy Chief Arbiter.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Cial de Lanzarote |
| Tournament Director | María Cristina Escobar López |
| Chief Arbiter | IA Pablo A. Arranz Martín |
| Deputy Chief Arbiter | AA Luana Soria Peirano |
| cial.siglo21@gmail.com | |
| Phone / WhatsApp | +34 627 887 429 |
📍 Venue
Hotel Fariones – Calle Roque del Este 1, 35510 Puerto del Carmen, Tías, Lanzarote, Spain.
Hotel Fariones will host all nine tournament rounds and the awards ceremony. The venue is located in Puerto del Carmen, close to the coastline and the town’s main services.
✈️ How to Get There
The nearest airport is César Manrique–Lanzarote Airport (ACE).
Hotel Fariones is approximately 10 kilometers from the airport. The road journey usually takes around 15 minutes, depending on traffic.
| Travel Option | Information |
|---|---|
| Main Airport | César Manrique–Lanzarote Airport (ACE) |
| Distance to Venue | Approximately 10 km |
| Typical Road Journey | Around 15 minutes |
| Taxi | Available outside the airport terminals |
| Rental Car | Available at the airport |
| Private Transfer | Can be arranged before arrival |
| Public Transport | Bus services connect the airport with Puerto del Carmen |
Rounds one through eight begin at 16:30. The final round begins at 10:00 on August 6, followed by the awards ceremony at 15:00.
ℹ️ Other
Players must follow the tournament regulations and all instructions from the arbiters.
Electronic devices are strictly prohibited in the playing hall. Mobile phones, smartwatches, and similar devices must remain completely switched off.
Players must use algebraic notation throughout the entire game.
The tournament requires formal summer clothing. Beachwear and flip-flops are not permitted.
| Rule | Information |
|---|---|
| Electronic Devices | Strictly prohibited and must remain completely switched off |
| Notation | Algebraic notation is mandatory throughout the entire game |
| Dress Code | Formal summer attire is required |
| Prohibited Clothing | Beachwear and flip-flops |
| Food and Alcohol | Not allowed in the playing hall |
| Awards Ceremony | Attendance is mandatory to claim prizes |
| Registration | Participation confirms acceptance of the tournament regulations |
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $10,870
Hotels Near the Venue
Find nearby accommodation for this tournament location.