WWRR Wachtebeke Winter Round Robin 2026
WWRR Wachtebeke Winter Round Robin 2026 brings a full week of classical chess to Wachtebeke, Belgium from 14–19 February 2026. The festival features 10-player Round Robin groups (by FIDE rating), a Mastergroup (for norms), a parallel 55+ tournament, and Rapid and Blitz side events — all hosted at the Lyceum, Wachtebeke-Dorp 21.
📌 Event Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | 14 – 19 February 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Wachtebeke, Belgium |
| 🏟️ Venue | Lyceum, Wachtebeke-Dorp 21, 9185 Wachtebeke |
| 🏁 Tournament Type | FIDE-rated festival (Round Robin groups, Mastergroup, 55+, Rapid, Blitz) |
| 🧩 Tournament System | Round Robin (10-player groups) · Separate 55+ Swiss/round format as scheduled |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | RR groups: 9 · 55+: 6 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | Classical: 90′ for 40 moves + 15′ to finish + 30″/move from move 1 |
| ⏱️ Rapid | 15′ KO |
| ⏱️ Blitz | 5′ KO |
| 🏢 Organizer | Schaakclub De Pluspion (WWRR) |
| 👤 Tournament Director | Dennis van Vliet |
| ✉️ Email | dvvliet@hotmail.be |
| ☎️ Phone | +32 486 65 20 00 |
| 💳 Bank (entries/payments) | Schaakclub De Pluspion, Jules Persynplein 6, 9185 Wachtebeke — IBAN BE87 0680 6178 6094 · BIC GKCCBEBB |
💰 Prize Fund
Round Robin Groups (per 10-player group)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €175 |
| 2nd | €50 + voucher €25 |
| 3rd | voucher €25 |
| 4th | voucher €10 |
55+ Tournament (example with 30 participants)
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | €200 |
| 2nd | €125 |
| 3rd | €75 |
| 4th | €50 |
| 5th | voucher €25 |
| 6th | voucher €25 |
Rating prizes (U1900): €75 and €50.
🧩 Sections / Groups
- Round Robin Tournaments — 10-player groups formed by FIDE Elo (Feb 2026 list).
- Mastergroup (for norms) — entry on request (contact TD).
- 55+ Tournament — FIDE-rated seniors event run alongside.
- Rapid & Blitz — one-session side events during the festival days.
⏱️ Time Control & Tournament System
- Classical (RR & 55+): 90′/40 + 15′, +30″/move from move 1
- Rapid: 15′ KO
- Blitz: 5′ KO
- Pairing/Group formation: RR groups by FIDE Elo (Feb 2026).
📅 Schedule (local time)
Round Robin Groups (9 rounds)
| Date | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 14 Feb | Registration | 11:00–12:00 |
| Sat 14 Feb | Round 1 | 13:00 |
| Sat 14 Feb | Round 2 | 19:00 |
| Sun 15 Feb | Round 3 | 19:00 |
| Mon 16 Feb | Round 4 | 13:00 |
| Mon 16 Feb | Round 5 | 19:00 |
| Tue 17 Feb | Round 6 | 13:00 |
| Wed 18 Feb | Round 7 | 13:00 |
| Wed 18 Feb | Round 8 | 19:00 |
| Thu 19 Feb | Round 9 | 13:00 |
| Thu 19 Feb | Prize-giving | 19:00 |
55+ Tournament (6 rounds)
| Date | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 14 Feb | Registration | 17:00–18:00 |
| Sat 14 Feb | Round 1 | 19:00 |
| Sun 15 Feb | Round 2 | 19:00 |
| Mon 16 Feb | Round 3 | 13:00 |
| Tue 17 Feb | Round 4 | 13:00 |
| Wed 18 Feb | Round 5 | 13:00 |
| Thu 19 Feb | Round 6 | 13:00 |
| Thu 19 Feb | Prize-giving | 19:00 |
Side Events
- Rapid: Sun 15 Feb, 13:00
- Blitz: Tue 17 Feb, 19:00
📝 Registration & Fees
- Register online and complete payment before 8 February. Late payment after 8 February: +€10.
- Fees: Round Robin: €60 · Mastergroup (norms): on request · 55+: €45
- Payment account: see Event Details (IBAN/BIC).
- Contact / Entries: dvvliet@hotmail.be · +32 486 65 20 00 (TD Dennis van Vliet)
🏢 Organizer
Schaakclub De Pluspion (WWRR) — community-driven Belgian chess club hosting structured RR groups, senior events, and Rapid/Blitz add-ons at a central venue in Wachtebeke. Tournament Director: Dennis van Vliet.
🏟️ Venue
Lyceum, Wachtebeke-Dorp 21, 9185 Wachtebeke
Comfortable multi-room school facility, easy access from the town center, with prize-giving on site after the final rounds.
🛏️ Accommodation
Players typically stay in Wachtebeke and nearby Ghent or Lokeren hotels and guesthouses. Early booking is recommended due to the concentrated festival schedule.
🚉 How to Get There
- By Train/Bus: Regional rail to Gent-Sint-Pieters or Lokeren, then local bus/taxi to Wachtebeke.
- By Car: Convenient access via E34/R4; on-street parking near the venue.
- By Air: Brussels (BRU) and Antwerp (ANR) with onward rail/bus.
The WWRR format is all about focused, serious chess in a friendly Belgian setting: fixed opponents, deep classical time controls, and a festival rhythm that keeps everyone sharp — with Rapid and Blitz to round out the fun.
