The XII Dr. Berecz Árpád Memorial 2026 – Groups A & B takes place from December 27–30, 2026, at Novotel Szeged in Szeged, Hungary. This twelfth edition commemorates Dr. Árpád Berecz and brings classical chess competition to the banks of the Tisza River during the year-end holiday period. The event has two distinct FIDE Standard tournament records: Group A for players rated over 1800 and Group B for players rated under 2000. Consequently, some players fall into the overlapping eligibility area and may be able to select a suitable group under the organizer’s regulations.

The event follows a long-standing Szeged memorial tradition that welcomes local club competitors, visiting players from other Hungarian regions, juniors, seniors, and international entrants. The official Group A starting list already includes titled players and a varied field, while Group B’s entry list includes both established and developing competitors. The two sections are independently administered, with separate standings and participant lists. They share the same hotel location, making the four-day program especially practical for coaches and families accompanying more than one player.

The playing venue also provides a convenient accommodation option: Novotel Szeged is a four-star Accor hotel at Maros utca 1, 6721 Szeged, close to the historic city center. Its riverside setting offers access to restaurants, tram and trolleybus routes, and the area’s cultural attractions. This guide separates details verified for the 2026 tournament from information that still requires organizer confirmation, including any complete 2026 prize table, entry-fee schedule, and precise round start times.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The December memorial belongs to the standard-play chess calendar, rather than a rapid or blitz program. Its FIDE-rated Group A and Group B are listed separately on Chess-Results, which means the entry lists, initial rankings, pairings, and final standings are maintained for each competitive group. The tournament is designed to fit a four-day year-end stay, so participants should expect several playing sessions rather than a single game day.

Previous editions of the Berecz Memorial used a seven-round Swiss schedule and 90 minutes per player plus 30 seconds per move. This is useful historical context, but the accessible 2026 federation landing page does not display every updated playing rule. Therefore, players should verify the final time control, any rules concerning the first and second period of the clock, and the definitive seven-round timetable with the organizer before making tight travel commitments.

Ratings, Group Selection, and Fair Play

A player rated between 1801 and 1999 falls within the literal rating descriptions of both Group A and Group B. However, that does not prove unrestricted freedom to choose either section: a final admission rule can include a rating reference date, a national license requirement, or organizer discretion. Entrants in the overlapping range should therefore confirm their intended group when sending their registration request.

For international players, accurate FIDE details are important because event results need to be matched to the proper federation and player record. The organizer’s published entry lists already identify players by their national federations and rating information. Players should verify how to handle national eligibility and any Hungarian playing-license arrangements directly with the event team, particularly if they are entering from outside Hungary.

🏆 Prize Fund

The 2026 memorial includes competitive prizes, but the fully itemized current-year award schedule is not visible in the federation page and Chess-Results records available for verification. An independent chess calendar reports a 160,000 HUF first prize for this edition. However, that figure is not a substitute for the complete official regulations, and it does not establish the combined prize fund across Groups A and B.

Accordingly, this listing does not invent a cumulative dollar prize fund or duplicate prize totals from the eleventh edition. Players who are planning their trip based on prize eligibility should request the latest prize breakdown, tie-sharing method, age classifications, and eligibility rules from the organizing club. This is particularly important when a memorial has overlapping rating groups, because prize structures can differ between the stronger and developing-player competitions.

How to Read the Reported Prize

The 160,000 HUF amount is a reported individual first prize, not a minimum total fund. A larger combined amount would require adding all announced cash awards across both groups and distinguishing them from trophies, medals, and other noncash benefits. If an organizer later updates the prize schedule, the amount shown on the tournament’s own official regulations should override third-party calendar figures.

Participants should also check whether awards can be combined across open, rating and age categories. This rule varies significantly between tournaments. The organizer’s final 2026 regulations, rather than the previous year’s event conditions, must determine the answer. Since the current edition has already opened its starting lists, the two Chess-Results pages are useful references when assessing competitive strength and the likely prize field.

♟️ Sections / Groups

The 2026 Berecz Memorial has two advertised sections. Group A is the higher-rated field and is designated for players with ratings over 1800. Group B is labeled for players with ratings under 2000. These are two genuine, independently paired competitions, not merely special award classifications inside one combined Open.

Group A — Stronger Classical Competition

The Group A starting list contains titled Hungarian and international competitors, illustrating the strength of the upper section. Competitors seeking testing standard-rated games can use this list to assess the rating spread and prepare for a varied Swiss field. Nevertheless, the final entrants and their current ratings may change before December 27 as registrations, late cancellations, and organizer decisions are processed.

Group A can also attract ambitious juniors who have reached the qualifying rating. These players compete in the same section as adult and titled entrants, which can create valuable experience with longer games and difficult endgames. Their inclusion in a rating-limited field depends on the organizer’s current regulations, not simply their age or national junior rank.

Group B — Developing and Club Players

The Group B starting list shows a separate mix of experienced adults, younger participants, and international entrants. The published maximum rating of below 2000 makes this group accessible to a broad range of developing club players. Some registered players have no published international rating, illustrating why entrants should check the specific requirements for unrated participation when the competition is formally rated.

The presence of an eligible rating range does not guarantee a particular opponent or result. Swiss pairings match players according to their points and the approved pairing rules over the event. Families entering a child in Group B should ensure that the child is comfortable with classical notation, independent decision-making, and the tournament hall’s rules about electronic devices and parental access.

📅 Schedule

The twelfth memorial is scheduled for Sunday, December 27, through Wednesday, December 30, 2026. The federation event page shows on-site registration on opening morning, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM on December 27. This gives international visitors a concrete reason to consider arriving in Szeged on the previous evening: the first registration window may occur before many long-distance connections reach the city.

The accessible 2026 public pages do not display a complete verified round-by-round timetable. Instead of inventing exact starts by copying an earlier edition, the table below separates the confirmed event dates from the sessions that remain subject to the current organizer schedule. Players can review the Chess-Results pages for subsequent updates once the official pairing and round times are published.

Managing a Four-Day Chess Trip

For a four-day classical tournament, players should leave generous room for games that continue well beyond the initial middlegame. This applies even when two sessions are scheduled in one day. A hotel close to the venue can be particularly valuable for juniors who need breaks between rounds, families accompanying several players, or competitors who prefer to study their next opponent in a quiet room.

December 30 is the advertised final date, but it should not be interpreted as a guarantee that all games and award presentations end at a particular hour. A departure that evening should be chosen only after the tournament’s official schedule is available. Travelers should also consider reduced public-transport frequencies on the days immediately following Christmas.

📝 Registration

The current federation listing identifies the XII Berecz Memorial and its venue, while the tournament has active Group A and Group B records on Chess-Results. Prospective entrants should contact the organizing team through the current federation listing or related official competition channels to receive the up-to-date application form, entry-fee instructions, and playing-license requirements.

A competitor should include their complete name, national chess federation, current standard rating, preferred group and reliable contact details. Where an entry is already displayed online, the player can use the official starting list to confirm that their details are correct. An accepted starting-list record and a valid hotel reservation are separate matters, so both arrangements should be checked independently.

Confirming the Current-Year Rules

Because the Hungarian federation web entry has not consistently displayed its updated full text, prospective players should not rely on historic entry fees or refund conditions. The 2025 edition has its own archived regulations, but a 2026 registration can use different amounts, eligibility criteria and deadlines. Ask the organizer for the 2026 English-language regulations before paying.

Players seeking a hotel at the venue should book directly through Accor or a confirmed event-specific rate if the organizer offers one. Neither booking a guest room nor reading an entry list constitutes tournament registration. Likewise, submitting an entry request does not mean a player has been accepted until the event team has processed their eligibility and any payment.

🏛️ Organizer

The Berecz Memorial is associated with Maróczy Géza Sport Club and Szeged’s wider chess community. The club administered earlier editions together with the Csongrád-Csanád County Chess Federation, and the current Chess-Results records are maintained through the Maróczy tournament account. The memorial commemorates Dr. Árpád Berecz, recognized in past organizer materials as an important figure in the city’s chess life.

The tournament has an established December tradition and a practical format for players who want rated classical games before the New Year. Szeged’s location in southern Hungary also allows participants from neighboring countries to compete alongside Hungarian players. The live starting lists demonstrate that the 2026 event is attracting a mix of ages, playing strengths and chess federations.

For the 2026 edition, the Hungarian Chess Federation hosts the event listing at chess.hu. The current lists are maintained on Chess-Results Group A and Chess-Results Group B. These sources should take precedence over any assumptions drawn from earlier memorials. Exact current-year organizer contact assignments should be verified from the latest official regulations before a contact name is treated as the 2026 tournament director.

📍 Venue

The event venue is Novotel Szeged, Maros utca 1, 6721 Szeged, Hungary. This four-star Accor hotel is on the banks of the Tisza River, close to central Szeged. The hotel’s official page independently confirms both the address and GPS coordinates 46.257459, 20.159732, so travelers can use an exact site location instead of an approximate city-center point.

Novotel Szeged provides meeting and conference facilities, a restaurant, guest rooms, and parking. The hotel describes direct local public-transport connections toward the main railway station and convenient road access from the M5 and M43 highways. These advantages can simplify event logistics for players who would otherwise need daily transport between their accommodation and playing hall.

The hotel’s guest-room check-in and check-out policies are distinct from the tournament’s first-day registration window. A visitor who arrives early on December 27 may still need to store luggage before access to their room. Likewise, anyone playing on December 30 should coordinate checkout with the hotel if their last game is scheduled after the standard departure time.

🏨 Accommodation

Novotel Szeged is the most straightforward option because it is also the playing venue. Its restaurant, parking, meeting spaces and guest services can help visitors plan around classical chess. However, the publicly accessible 2026 tournament information does not establish a special memorial room-block rate, so the hotel’s direct booking price should be checked for the actual dates.

There are alternatives in both central Szeged and the Újszeged district across the river. The options below have independently confirmed street addresses and active accommodation websites. They are not presented as official tournament partners, and travel time should be evaluated from each property’s actual location rather than an estimated straight-line distance.

Novotel Szeged — Staying at the Playing Venue

The official Novotel Szeged page describes a riverside four-star hotel with guest rooms, restaurant services, Wi-Fi, and meeting spaces. Its on-site accommodation can be particularly useful for families entering both Groups A and B, since participants can return to their room between games without an additional trip. Rooms with different bed arrangements are available, but their actual configuration should be confirmed when booking.

Parking at the property is paid according to the hotel’s own published conditions. Guests should check the applicable daily rate, charging facilities and access arrangements in advance. The hotel’s location also allows companions to explore central Szeged while players remain at the boards. Winter weather may be cold, so staying in the same building as the event can reduce unnecessary outdoor travel.

Illés Hotel — Another Maros Street Option

Illés Hotel is situated at Maros utca 37, on the same named street as the tournament’s host hotel. Its official contact page confirms the address and the hotel’s connection with Stüszi Vadász Restaurant. The property may appeal to travelers seeking a more independent local accommodation option. Confirm the walking route and available room types before assuming a particular travel time.

The hotel publishes its own public-transport guidance, including routes from the railway station via the city center. Booking and restaurant enquiries use separate contact information. For a classical event, the ability to eat close to accommodation may be useful on evenings when players finish late or want to review their games before the next day.

Art Hotel Szeged — Cathedral and City Center

Art Hotel Szeged is located at Somogyi utca 16, in the central city area. The hotel’s official website provides rooms and booking information. It offers a different experience from a riverside tournament hotel: visitors can stay near the cathedral, pedestrian streets, and city-center restaurants while still reaching the Novotel by local transport or a walk.

Travelers should account for the route between the two addresses when planning morning games. The city center is compact, but winter conditions and heavy luggage can make a short taxi or public-transport journey preferable. Anyone traveling with juniors should verify breakfast hours, room occupancy and checkout rules before booking.

Hunguest Hotel Szeged — Spa and Family Travel

Hunguest Hotel Szeged, formerly known as Hotel Forrás, is situated at Szent-Györgyi Albert utca 16–24 in Újszeged. Its official site describes a substantial wellness property connected with the Napfényfürdő Aquapolis complex. Families accompanying younger players may appreciate the hotel’s additional recreation facilities during days when only one family member is playing.

The property is across the river from the tournament hotel, so daily travel must be planned rather than assumed to be immediate. Guests should compare the total cost of accommodation, wellness access and transportation. No special Berecz Memorial discount has been independently confirmed for this property.

🚆 How to Get There

Szeged is one of southern Hungary’s principal cities. Visitors can arrive by railway from Budapest, by road via the M5 motorway, or through a combination of airport transfer and intercity rail. The playing hotel is on Maros utca 1 beside the Tisza, not at the main railway station. For international planning, aim for the precise Novotel location rather than using an unspecified city-center address.

From Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) is a practical international arrival gateway. Travelers can transfer from the airport to Budapest’s rail network and then use an intercity service to Szeged. Since the airport is outside the main central railway stations, allow time for the transfer when comparing a flight’s landing time with the departure of the onward train.

The airport-to-city transport choice depends on the arrival terminal, time of day, and luggage. The Budapest Airport website and MÁV journey planner provide the necessary current information. Arriving on December 26 can reduce the pressure of reaching the tournament’s 9:00–10:30 AM registration window on December 27.

By Train from Budapest

Regular Napfény InterCity trains connect Budapest-Nyugati and Szeged, with an ordinary journey around two and a half hours. The timetable and any reservation requirements should be checked for December 2026 rather than extrapolated from a different day. Szeged’s main station is approximately 3 km from Novotel Szeged, according to the hotel itself.

From the railway station, continue by local public transport or taxi. Novotel notes a nearby public-transport stop roughly 200 meters from the property and direct public-transport links with the station. These details make rail travel feasible, including for players coming from Budapest and nearby Hungarian towns.

By Local Public Transport

The hotel lists bus and trolleybus connections in its surrounding neighborhood. Its own access information identifies the József Attila sugárút and Tisza Lajos körút stops as nearby reference points. Local services can change over the holiday period, so check route numbers and timetable updates with Szeged’s transport operator before travel.

A taxi is an alternative from either the bus or rail station, especially for families with suitcases or players arriving during rain or after dark. The final destination should be given as Novotel Szeged, Maros utca 1. This avoids confusion with similarly named hotels or with the university and city-center areas.

By Car and Parking

Drivers approaching from Budapest can travel south along the M5 motorway and follow the signed routes toward Szeged. The M43 provides further connections in the region. Once near the center, navigation should be set to Maros utca 1, 6721 Szeged. The hotel’s official GPS point is 46.257459, 20.159732.

Novotel offers paid onsite parking, including outdoor and garage spaces, and electric vehicle charging facilities. Availability and fees should be confirmed directly for the tournament dates. Players arriving by car should allow time to park and locate the competition rooms before tournament check-in ends.

ℹ️ Other Information

The memorial takes place in Szeged, a university city known for its cathedral, broad central squares, riverfront walks and Hungarian cultural life. The Tisza River is central to the city’s identity, while the historic center offers restaurants and museums that companions can visit during playing sessions. The official Szeged tourism portal provides practical information about local attractions and visitor services.

The current edition has separate Chess-Results registrations for both rating groups, showing that the tournament is being administered for December 2026. Prospective players should use those records for up-to-date participant information and consult the Hungarian Chess Federation event listing for the federation’s formal announcement. An older PDF may be useful for historical background, but it should not be mistaken for final 2026 fees, prize conditions or start times.

For families, the strongest practical benefit is the hotel venue itself: guest rooms, dining, and the playing halls are in one property. For international competitors, the principal considerations are confirming FIDE and Hungarian playing-license requirements, completing on-site registration, and arranging a reliable Budapest-to-Szeged journey. If the organizers publish a complete current-year English prospectus or final prize table, those details should replace the provisional notes in this guide before publication.