The VI Llinars International Chess Open 2026, “Llinars, Chess Village”, runs from June 25 to July 3, 2026, in Llinars del Vallès, Spain. This is a chess tournament in Llinars del Vallès, Spain, in 2026.
The event is a classical FIDE-rated open played over 9 Swiss rounds. It belongs to the Catalan Open International Circuit as a Category A tournament, so it carries solid competitive weight on the summer calendar.
Club d’Escacs Llinars stages the tournament at the town auditorium and again divides the field into two rating groups. In addition, the 2026 edition runs alongside side events and a parallel IM-norm tournament program, which gives the festival a broader international atmosphere.
🏁 Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | June 25 – July 3, 2026 |
| Location | Llinars del Vallès, Spain |
| Format | 2-section classical tournament, 9-round Swiss system |
| Time control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| Rating | FIDE and Catalan rated |
| Sections | Group A and Group B |
| Circuit | Catalan Open International Circuit, Category A |
| Prize fund | EUR 8,265 (approx. USD 9,736) |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament uses a 9-round Swiss system with pairings produced in Swiss Manager. Each player receives 90 minutes for the game plus a 30-second increment from move one. As a result, the event offers full classical conditions throughout the festival.
The field is split into two groups. Group A is for players with a minimum FIDE rating of 1850, while Group B is for players with a maximum FIDE rating of 2000. Players rated between 1850 and 2000 may choose either group. However, if they do not specify a preference, the organizer places them in Group A by default.
The initial ranking follows FIDE rating first and then Catalan rating, using the lists published on June 1, 2026. The forfeit time is 60 minutes. Moreover, the organizer removes a player who misses round 1 or who misses two rounds, consecutive or not, without prior notice.
Electronic devices are not allowed in the playing area. In addition, the live transmission runs with a 15-minute delay.
Players may request up to three byes. These byes do not score points, and each request must be made in writing no later than 20:00 on the day before the round.
💰 Prize Fund
The confirmed total cash prize fund is EUR 8,265 (approx. USD 9,736).
♟️ Sections / Groups
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Group A | Players with a minimum FIDE rating of 1850 |
| Group B | Players with a maximum FIDE rating of 2000 |
| Flexible band | Players rated 1850 to 2000 may choose either group |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| June 25, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 1 |
| June 26, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 2 |
| June 27, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 3 |
| June 28, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 4 |
| June 29, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 5 |
| June 30, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 6 |
| July 1, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 7 |
| July 2, 2026 | 17:00 | Round 8 |
| July 3, 2026 | 16:00 | Round 9 and closing ceremony |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official registration form | To register, all players must complete: https://forms.gle/qA4ngNBwct6femo96 |
| Secondary registration method | Email registration is also available through the organizer |
| Registration deadline | June 23, 2026, at 20:00 |
| Entry fee – Group A | EUR 53 |
| Entry fee – Group B | EUR 46 |
| Discounted fee – Group A | EUR 44 for women, players over 65, and players with disabilities |
| Discounted fee – Group B | EUR 37 for women, players over 65, and players with disabilities |
| Under-14 fee | EUR 37 in Group B |
| Club member discount | EUR 6 discount for Club d’Escacs Llinars members |
| Early registration benefit | Players who register and pay before June 17 receive free entry to the blitz tournament on June 28 |
| Payment rule | Registration becomes valid only after payment |
| Payment method | Advance bank transfer; WISE payment available for players from outside Spain |
| Cash payments | Cash payments are not accepted |
| Late registrations | Entries after the deadline may be accepted only from round 2 or later |
👤 Organizer
Club d’Escacs Llinars organizes this international summer open as one of its main annual events. The club has built the tournament into an established stop on the Catalan circuit, and the 2026 edition adds a stronger two-group structure and a broader festival program.
Phone: +34 644 722 997
Email: internationalchessopen@escacsllinars.cat
Website: www.llinarsopen.cat
📍 Venue
Auditori de Llinars del Vallès, Ronda Sant Antoni 19, 08450 Llinars del Vallès, Spain
The tournament takes place in the town auditorium on the Sant Celoni side of Llinars del Vallès, close to the Mercadona roundabout. The venue keeps the whole event in one practical playing hall and suits a nine-day classical format well.
🚗 How to Get There
Llinars del Vallès is easy to reach by road and by rail from the Barcelona area. The local train station is a practical arrival point, and the organizer also offers a taxi service from Llinars station to the auditorium for EUR 5 covering all one-way trips.
It is a strong choice for players who want a serious summer classical tournament in Catalonia.
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $9,736
Organizer
Escacs Llinars (Club d’Escacs Llinars) is a community chess club based in Llinars del Vallès, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Moreover, it serves as an active tournament organizer for local players while staying closely connected to the wider Catalan chess circuit. As a result, the club combines a welcoming social environment with structured, competitive over-the-board chess.
In addition, Escacs Llinars runs year-round activities that include internal competitions, team matches, and regular club play in classical chess. It also promotes practical improvement through rapid chess and blitz chess events, so members can build both calculation and clock-management skills. Furthermore, the club is known for organizing the Llinars International Chess Open, a flagship open chess tournament that attracts a broad field of players.
At the same time, the club invests in development chess with a clear pathway for newcomers and improving players through chess training and organized participation. Therefore, Escacs Llinars remains a strong local reference point for players who want consistent competition, a supportive club culture, and reliable fair play standards.
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