XII Sunway Sitges International Chess Festival 2025

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XII Sunway Sitges International Chess Festival 2025

by Catalan Chess Federation

The Sunway Sitges International Chess Festival 2025 celebrates its 12th edition as one of Europe’s most famous and scenic chess festivals.
Held in the beautiful coastal town of Sitges, Spain, near Barcelona, the event combines world-class chess competition with Mediterranean charm, hospitality, and unforgettable experiences.

Organized by Hotel Sunway Playa Golf & Spa Sitges, this festival attracts hundreds of players from all over the world — from grandmasters to amateurs — for two weeks of classical, rapid, and blitz chess in a luxurious seaside setting.

🗓️ Event Details

📅 Dates	12–23 December 2025
📍 Location	Sitges, Barcelona, Spain
🏟️ Venue	Hotel Sunway Playa Golf & Spa Sitges
💰 Prize Fund	€25,000 total

🏁 Tournament Type	International Open • FIDE rated
🧩 Tournament System	Swiss system
🔢 Number of Rounds	10
⏱️ Time Control	90 minutes + 30 seconds increment
⏰ Default Time	30 minutes

📆 Registration Deadline	6 December 2025
👥 Maximum Players	Based on capacity (300+ expected)

🏢 Organizer	Hotel Sunway Playa Golf & Spa Sitges
☎️ Phone	+34 93 811 11 00
✉️ Email	info@sunwaychessfestival.com
🔗 Official Website	www.sunwaychessfestival.com

💰 Prize Fund & Breakdown

Category	Prizes (€)
1st place (Open A)	5,000
2nd place	3,000
3rd place	2,000
4th–10th places	1,500–400
Best Female	400
Best U18 / U16	300
Best Senior (50+)	300
Best Local Player	200
Blitz / Rapid Events	Separate prize funds announced onsite

⏳ Time Control & Tournament System

System: 10-round Swiss
Rated: FIDE Classical
Time Control: 90 min + 30 sec increment from move 1
Tiebreaks: Buchholz, Sonneborn-Berger, number of wins

♟️ Sections / Groups

Section	Eligibility / Notes
Open A	Players with FIDE rating ≥2000
Open B	Players with FIDE rating <2000
Blitz / Rapid	Separate open tournaments during the festival
Simuls / Team Events	Held on rest days, open to all participants

🕐 Schedule

Date	Event / Round	Time
11 Dec	Arrival & Registration	All day
12 Dec	Round 1	16:00
13–21 Dec	Rounds 2–9	16:00 daily
17 Dec	Rest Day / Blitz / Simuls	All day
22 Dec	Round 10 & Closing Ceremony	15:00
23 Dec	Departure	—

📝 Registration

Registration via the official website
Entry fee:
- GM, IM, WGM, WIM – Free
- Other players: €80 (Open A) / €60 (Open B)
Discounts for students and early entries
Payments can be made online or at the venue before Round 1
Deadline: 6 December 2025

🏢 Organizer

Organized by Hotel Sunway Playa Golf & Spa Sitges, known for its exceptional hospitality and professional event management.
The Sunway Sitges Chess Festival is supported by the Catalan Chess Federation and FIDE.

Email: info@sunwaychessfestival.com
Phone: +34 93 811 11 00
Website: www.sunwaychessfestival.com

🏛 Venue

Hotel Sunway Playa Golf & Spa Sitges
Paseo Marítimo 92–94, 08870 Sitges, Barcelona, Spain
📍 Google Maps

🏨 Accommodation

Participants are encouraged to stay at the official venue hotel.
Packages include breakfast, Wi-Fi, and access to the hotel’s gym and swimming pool.
Discounted rates are available for players and families through the official website.

🚆 How to Get There

By Air: Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN) → 25 minutes by car
By Train: RENFE trains from Barcelona Sants → Sitges Station
By Car: C-32 motorway → Sitges exit

Join the XII Sunway Sitges International Chess Festival 2025 and play chess by the sea — where sun, strategy, and sportsmanship meet under the Spanish sun!

Date And Time

12-12-2025 to
23-12-2025

Location

Hotel Sunway Playa Golf & Spa, Passeig Marítim, Sitges, Spain

Event Types

Classical

Event Category

European Events

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Organizer

Catalan Chess Federation

The Catalan Chess Federation (Federació Catalana d’Escacs) is the regional governing body for chess in Catalonia. It was founded on 2 August 1925 as a public-interest sports institution dedicated to promoting and coordinating chess across the region. From its headquarters in Barcelona, the federation serves as a central hub for tournaments, regulations and communication with clubs.

Today, the federation runs a full calendar of events at all levels. It organises Catalan team leagues, individual championships and youth tournaments in classical, rapid and blitz formats, often in partnership with local clubs and city councils. Moreover, it maintains structures for arbiters, competition rules and rating management, so that chess activity in Catalonia follows consistent, modern standards. As a result, players from beginner level to titled professionals can find regular, well-run events throughout the year.

In recent years, the Catalan Chess Federation has also modernised its communication and image. It shares news, live games and video content through its website and active social channels, including streaming of major championships and centenary projects around 2025. Furthermore, this digital presence strengthens its role as both a sports federation and a cultural reference point for chess in Catalonia.