VIII Villa Constitución International Open 2026
VIII Villa Constitución International Open – Copa ArcelorMittal 2026 will take place from August 13 to 17, 2026, at Club Social in Villa Constitución, Argentina.
Moreover, the tournament will use a nine-round Swiss system with 60 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one.
In addition, the published prize fund is ARS 4,000,000 / approx. $2,760, and the event forms part of the Open Chess Tour.
Meanwhile, the five-day program welcomes titled players, juniors and club competitors under a tiered fee structure.
Therefore, players should register before the fee increases and confirm the final reporting timetable with tournament director Nahuel Santianes.
🗓️ Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | August 13–17, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Villa Constitución, Santa Fe, Argentina |
| 🏛️ Venue | Club Social |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss system |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 60 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| 💰 Prize Fund | ARS 4,000,000 / approx. $2,760 |
| 👤 Organizer | IA/IO Nahuel Santianes |
| 🌐 Chess-Results | https://chess-results.com/tnr1431248.aspx?lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The open consists of nine Swiss-system rounds. Each player receives 60 minutes for the game with a 30-second increment from move one.
The time control supports FIDE-rated classical competition within a five-day schedule.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| System | Swiss system |
| Rounds | 9 |
| Time Control | 60 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
Moreover, players should check the published pairings before every round and report any discrepancy immediately. Therefore, each participant should arrive early enough to find the board, prepare the scoresheet when required and follow the arbiter’s instructions.
🏆 Prize Fund
The published prize fund is ARS 4,000,000 / approx. $2,760.
The published prize fund is ARS 4,000,000 / approx. $2,760.
📝 Registration
In addition, players should retain their payment or registration confirmation and verify that the organizer has added their name to the official participant list.
Meanwhile, international players should check whether the tournament requires a FIDE ID, federation membership, visa documentation or other eligibility evidence.
👤 Organizer
| Organizer Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer and Representative | IA/IO Nahuel Santianes |
| Chief Arbiter | IA/IO Leandro Plotinsky |
| federacion.argentina.ajedrez@gmail.com | |
| Phone / WhatsApp | +54 341 273-2997 |
📍 Venue
Club Social – Villa Constitución, Santa Fe, Argentina
Club Social hosts all nine rounds and serves as the central meeting point for the international open.
Villa Constitución offers hotels, restaurants and urban services, while Rosario provides a larger transport hub within regional traveling distance.
🚆 How to Get There
Villa Constitución lies on the Paraná River corridor between Rosario and Buenos Aires.
Participants can arrive by intercity bus, car or a regional transfer from Rosario.
| Travel Option | Practical Information |
|---|---|
| From Rosario | Continue south by intercity bus, taxi, private transfer or car. |
| From Buenos Aires | Use long-distance bus or road connections toward southern Santa Fe. |
| By Car | Navigate to Club Social in central Villa Constitución. |
| Local Arrival | Confirm the precise entrance with the organizer before travel. |
ℹ️ Other Information
The organizer applies the current FIDE Laws of Chess and the event-specific regulations. Moreover, participants should follow all arbiter instructions, fair-play requirements and venue rules.
In addition, players should recheck the official sources shortly before travel because the organizer may publish operational updates, room assignments or timetable adjustments.
Key Tournament Rules
| Rule | Information |
|---|---|
| Rounds | 9 |
| Time Control | 60 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| Fee through June 30 | ARS 50,000 |
| Fee through August 11 | ARS 60,000 |
| Fee from August 12 | ARS 70,000 |
| Discounts | 10% for U20, national masters and candidate masters; 50% for FMs |
Official Resources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Chess-Results Tournament Details | https://chess-results.com/tnr1431248.aspx?lan=1&turdet=YES |
| FADA | https://federacionargentinadeajedrez.org/ |
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $2,760
Organizer
♟️ About the Organizer
Nahuel Iván Santianes is an Argentine chess organizer, arbiter, tournament director, and competitive player associated with Villa Constitución and Santa Fe Province. FIDE awarded him the FIDE Arbiter title in 2020, the International Arbiter title in 2022, and the International Organizer title in 2023. He holds a valid FIDE arbiter licence and is classified as a Category C International Arbiter. His work includes tournament planning, technical supervision, player coordination, event promotion, federation procedures, and the organization of competitions submitted for national and international rating.
🏆 Tournaments and Chess Events
Santianes organizes FIDE-rated classical, rapid, and blitz competitions in different regions of Argentina. His recent events include the ITT de la Bandera in Rosario, the Copa Italia International Open, the Masters Villa Carlos Paz, the El Arma de Alekhine International Rated Tournament, and tournaments forming part of the Argentine amateur championship structure. FIDE records also identify him as chief organizer of events such as the Campeonato IRT Maestros Rosarinos and the Campeonato Argentino Amateur. His tournaments range from open Swiss-system competitions to closed international events involving titled players from Argentina and other countries.
He is particularly connected with the Villa Constitución International Chess Open, a long-running competition supported by local institutions and community partners. Santianes is the current president of the Asociación Civil de Ajedrez Villa Constitución, according to the official registry of Santa Fe Province. The Municipality of Villa Constitución also identifies him as the association’s representative and organizer of its international tournament activities.
🌱 Chess Development and Federation Activity
In addition to organizing major competitions, Nahuel Santianes supports chess education, amateur chess, youth participation, and the expansion of FIDE-rated tournaments outside Argentina’s largest chess centres. He has coordinated free community chess classes and school-oriented initiatives in Villa Constitución. The Argentine Chess Federation has also involved him in programs designed to increase the number of internationally rated tournaments and currently lists him as an alternate member of its governing board, representing the Santa Fe Chess Federation. His combination of experience as an organizer, arbiter, federation official, association president, and active player gives him a broad understanding of both the sporting and administrative requirements of chess events.
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