XIX. Püspökladány Open – Arnóth Sándor Emlékverseny
Settle in for a tightly scheduled summer chess week at the XIX. Püspökladány Open / Arnóth Sándor Emlékverseny, July 29-August 2, 2026, Püspökladány, Hungary, a FIDE-rated festival designed for players who want serious over-the-board competition without taking a long vacation. The organizers run nine Swiss rounds across five days, with two rating-based groups that keep pairings competitive for both developing and experienced players. You play every round under the same classical time control, and you compete for a clearly defined cash prize list in both groups. If you value a compact schedule, reliable rules, and a proven annual tradition, this event fits well into a mid-summer tournament plan.
The tournament takes place at the Karacs Ferenc school complex in Hajdú-Bihar County and follows FIDE rules throughout the event. Group A targets FIDE-rated players from 1600 to 2399, while Group B welcomes players up to 1799 for a separate standings and prize table. The organizers use established Swiss tie-breaks and apply a firm lateness rule, so each round starts on time and the schedule stays consistent. With accommodation offered in the local dormitory and multiple double-round days, you can focus on chess and keep logistics simple.
🗓️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | July 29-August 2, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Püspökladány, Hungary |
| ♟️ Format | 9-round Swiss system in two groups |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE rating (Standard) |
| 📂 Sections | A Group (1600–2399) · B Group (0–1799) |
| ⏱️ Time control | 60 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move (from move 1) |
| 💳 Entry fee | HUF 12,000 per player · HUF 6,000 for players rated over 2200 · Playing up: +HUF 5,000 |
| 💰 Prize fund | HUF 325,000 total cash prizes (gross; guaranteed with at least 60 total participants) |
| 👤 Eligibility | Players need a FIDE ID and a valid competition license; the organizer limits entry to players with FIDE rating under 2399; Group A requires a published FIDE rating |
| 🧩 Organizer notes | Forfeit time: 60 minutes from the round start |
| ♟️ Chess-Results | https://chess-results.com/tnr1331555.aspx?lan=1 · https://chess-results.com/tnr1331556.aspx?lan=1 |
🏆 Prize Fund
The organizer pays cash prizes as gross amounts and handles payout under the applicable Hungarian tax rules. The organizer requires the documents it specifies for prize payment. The organizer guarantees the cash prizes only when at least 60 players participate in total.
A Group — Cash prizes
| Place | Prize (HUF) |
|---|---|
| 1st | 96,000 |
| 2nd | 58,000 |
| 3rd | 38,000 |
| 4th | 29,000 |
| 5th | 19,000 |
| 6th | 10,000 |
B Group — Cash prizes
| Place | Prize (HUF) |
|---|---|
| 1st | 35,000 |
| 2nd | 25,000 |
| 3rd | 15,000 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The organizers run a 9-round Swiss-System tournament in two rating groups and apply FIDE rules for play and rating. Both groups use the same time control: 60 minutes for the game with a 30-second increment per move from move 1.
The tournament breaks ties by points scored, then uses Swiss tie-break criteria led by Buchholz Cut 1, followed by progressive score and Sonneborn-Berger, with additional listed criteria used when needed. The organizer enforces a 60-minute forfeit time from the scheduled round start. Group A does not accept unrated players.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section | Rating / target group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A Group | 1600–2399 | FIDE-rated (Standard); unrated players not allowed |
| B Group | 0–1799 | FIDE-rated (Standard) |
📅 Schedule
| Date | Weekday | Time | Round / Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 29, 2026 | Wednesday | 16:00 | Round 1 |
| July 30, 2026 | Thursday | 08:30 | Round 2 |
| July 30, 2026 | Thursday | 13:00 | Round 3 |
| July 31, 2026 | Friday | 08:30 | Round 4 |
| July 31, 2026 | Friday | 13:00 | Round 5 |
| August 1, 2026 | Saturday | 08:30 | Round 6 |
| August 1, 2026 | Saturday | 13:00 | Round 7 |
| August 2, 2026 | Sunday | 08:30 | Round 8 |
| August 2, 2026 | Sunday | 13:00 | Round 9 |
📝 Registration
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to register | Email your entry request to info@gysk.hu |
| Registration deadline | July 27, 2026 |
| Contact person | László Egri |
| Phone | +36 30 925 9807 |
| info@gysk.hu | |
| Entry fee | HUF 12,000 per player · HUF 6,000 for players rated over 2200 |
| Playing up | +HUF 5,000 |
| Player requirements | FIDE ID and valid competition license; Group A requires a published FIDE rating |
👥 Organizer
Püspökladány Város Önkormányzata, the Püspökladányi Sakk Klub, and the Győri Sakk-kör organize the Püspökladány Open as a long-running summer memorial event with a two-group Swiss structure and a fast-moving classical schedule. The organizers aim to provide a practical FIDE-rated competition for players who prefer a compact tournament week, while still keeping prize incentives and group-based standings clear and transparent.
Email: info@gysk.hu
Phone: +36 30 925 9807
🏨 Venue
BSZC Karacs Ferenc Gimnázium, Technikum és Szakképző Iskola, 4150 Püspökladány, Gagarin u. 2., Hungary
The tournament takes place at the Karacs Ferenc school complex in Püspökladány. The organizers host all rounds at this single location and keep both groups on the same daily timetable. The venue supports a steady tournament rhythm across the full five-day program.
🛎️ Accommodation
The organizer offers accommodation in the Karacs Ferenc dormitory with shared-room options, and it assigns rooms in booking order. You arrange meals individually.
| Option | Address | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karacs Ferenc Kollégium | 4150 Püspökladány, Hősök tere 2., Hungary | HUF 4,500 per person/night | Tourist tax: HUF 400 per person/night for guests aged 18+; rooms with 2–7 beds |
🚗 How to Get There
Travel to Püspökladány, Hungary and head to 4150 Püspökladány, Gagarin u. 2. for the playing hall. Plan to arrive before Round 1 on July 29, 2026 so you can settle in and start the tournament on schedule.
Play nine rounds in five days and test your form in a focused, FIDE-rated summer event with clear sections and strong competitive intensity.