The Wellness Chess Tour GP5 Station takes place April 30-May 3, 2026 in Esztergom, Hungary, welcoming competitive players to a 7-round Swiss Open that combines serious classical chess with a relaxed wellness-hotel setting. The event runs at Hotel Bellevue in Esztergom and targets players who want rated competition, consistent round timing, and a comfortable on-site experience with half board and thermal spa access.
The tournament offers a HUF 400,000 guaranteed cash prize fund with at least 50 participants and adds additional category awards where eligible. The schedule includes two rounds on Day 1, a steady morning and afternoon rhythm through the weekend, and an evening blitz event on Saturday. If you value strong tournament focus alongside a full hotel stay-and-play atmosphere, this Grand Prix station fits perfectly.
🗓️ Event Details
| 📅 Dates | April 30-May 3, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Esztergom, Hungary |
| ♟️ Format | 7-round Swiss Open |
| 📂 Sections | Main tournament (Swiss Open) |
| ⏱️ Time control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move |
| 💳 Entry fee | Above 2200 ELO: HUF 9,000; 2199–2100 ELO: HUF 12,000; Under 2100 ELO: HUF 14,000; Free for GM, IM, WGM |
| 💰 Prize fund | HUF 400,000 (guaranteed with at least 50 participants) |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Entry deadline: April 29, 2026 (email registration); valid 2026 license required |
🏆 Prize Fund
Main prizes
| Place | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st | HUF 180,000 |
| 2nd | HUF 100,000 |
| 3rd | HUF 50,000 |
| 4th | HUF 25,000 |
| 5th | HUF 15,000 |
Rating prizes
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| ELO 0–1800 | HUF 15,000 |
| ELO 1801–2000 | HUF 15,000 |
The organizers do not split prizes. Hungarian law governs any applicable taxes and contributions.
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The tournament runs 7 rounds as a Swiss Open with a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment per move. The default time is 60 minutes. Tie-breaks apply in this order: Corrective Buchholz, Buchholz, Progressive.
📂 Sections / Groups
The event runs as a single Swiss Open. The organizers also award special recognition for best young player, best player from Komárom-Esztergom County, best player aged 60+, and best woman when at least three women participate.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 30, 2026 | Thursday | 10:50 | Opening ceremony |
| April 30, 2026 | Thursday | 11:00 | Round 1 |
| April 30, 2026 | Thursday | 16:00 | Round 2 |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | 9:00am | Round 3 |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | 9:00am | Round 4 |
| May 2, 2026 | Saturday | 9:00am | Round 5 |
| May 2, 2026 | Saturday | 3:00pm | Round 6 |
| May 2, 2026 | Saturday | 7:30pm (approx.) | Blitz tournament |
| May 3, 2026 | Sunday | 9:00am | Round 7 |
📝 Registration
Register by email by April 29, 2026, and wait for registration confirmation.
Registration email: sporty207@gmail.com
Players may enter only with a valid 2026 license or a valid Hungarian playing license (HPL).
👥 Organizer
Jozsef Jeszenszky organizes this Wellness Chess Tour Grand Prix station to support competitive play, consistent tournament operations, and a complete stay-and-play hotel experience in Esztergom. The organizing team manages entries, accommodation reservations, and event coordination directly through the official contact channels.
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Email: sporty207@gmail.com
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Phone: +36 30 640 3361
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Website: https://www.wellnesschesstour.com
🏨 Venue
Hotel Bellevue*** Esztergom, Őrtorony street 49, 2500 Esztergom, Hungary
The tournament takes place in the hotel conference room at Hotel Bellevue in Esztergom. The venue supports a dedicated playing space within a full-service wellness hotel environment.
🛎️ Accommodation
Hotel Bellevue offers half board with buffet breakfast and dinner and provides wellness access as part of the stay package. The tournament director manages reservations by email.
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Reservation email: sporty207@gmail.com
Room rates (4 days / 3 nights)
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Standard single room (1 person): HUF 24,900 per person per night (limited)
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Standard double room (1 person): HUF 34,900 per person per night
Children
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Ages 0–3: free
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Ages 4–12 (extra bed): HUF 11,450 per person per night
Tourist tax: HUF 500 per person per night (not included).
Payment methods: bank card, cash, credit card, SZÉP card.
🚗 How to Get There
Travel to Esztergom and proceed to Hotel Bellevue at Őrtorony street 49. Plan your arrival to settle in before the opening ceremony and Round 1 on Thursday.
Use this four-day format to build momentum early, stay consistent through the weekend rounds, and finish strong in a prize-funded Swiss Open by the Danube.
Additional Details
Prize Fund - HUF 400,000
Organizer
Wellness Chess Tour is a Hungary-based tournament organizer that runs a well-known international chess Grand Prix series. Today, it combines competitive over-the-board chess with practical travel planning. Over the years, Wellness Chess Tour has built repeat participation from players across Central Europe. As a result, the brand is closely associated with reliable scheduling and clear event operations.
Moreover, Wellness Chess Tour organizes Wellness Chess Tour GP6 as one of its key seasonal stations. The series typically features FIDE-rated classical chess with multiple sections and transparent regulations. In addition, the organizer emphasizes consistent playing conditions, punctual round starts, and well-defined registration steps, so participants can focus on preparation, energy management, and performance across the full schedule. Therefore, Wellness Chess Tour GP events appeal to players who value both serious chess and predictable logistics.
At the same time, Wellness Chess Tour aims to deliver a friendly tournament atmosphere for competitors and accompanying guests. Consequently, many participants treat the event as both a chess challenge and a social weekend. In addition, the organizer highlights hospitality, fair play, and straightforward communication, which reduces uncertainty before arrival and supports smooth on-site coordination for everyone involved. Furthermore, Wellness Chess Tour in Hungary remains committed to professional organization and a stable player experience from station to station.
