XXIV Week-End Valbisagno 2026
The XXIV Week-End Valbisagno 2026 takes place from October 2–4, 2026, in Genoa, Italy. The tournament returns for its 24th edition at the representative hall of Municipio Bassa Val Bisagno in Piazza Manzoni.
Circolo Scacchistico U.S. ACLI Santa Sabina runs two rating-based sections over five Swiss-system rounds. Tournament A serves players rated above 1700, while Tournament B welcomes unrated players and participants rated below 1750.
Moreover, the published prizes total at least €1,150 / approximately $1,330, plus additional rating and age-category awards. The organizer limits the combined field to 60 players, so early registration and payment are important.
📌 Event Details
| Event Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | XXIV Week-End Valbisagno 2026 |
| 📅 Dates | October 2–4, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Genoa, Liguria, Italy |
| 🏛️ Venue | Salone di rappresentanza del Municipio Bassa Val Bisagno – Piazza Manzoni 1, Genoa, Italy |
| ♟️ Organizer | Circolo Scacchistico U.S. ACLI Santa Sabina |
| 🤝 Patronage | Comune di Genova – Municipio Bassa Val Bisagno |
| 🧩 Format | FIDE Swiss Dutch system |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 |
| ♟️ Sections | Tournament A and Tournament B |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move |
| 👥 Capacity | 60 players across both sections |
| 💰 Published Prizes | At least €1,150 / approx. $1,330, plus additional category prizes |
| 🌐 Registration, Entries and Results | https://vesus.org/tournament/bqrKvto0 |
| 🌐 Organizer Website | https://www.santasabinascacchi.it/ |
| 📄 Official Regulations | https://www.chessmix.com/uploads/Calendar/0056/0000056706.pdf |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The organizer runs five rounds using the FIDE Swiss Dutch system. Players receive 90 minutes for the game plus a 30-second increment from move one.
Moreover, every player must record the moves throughout the game.
| Playing Condition | Rule |
|---|---|
| ♟️ Pairing System | FIDE Swiss Dutch |
| 🔢 Rounds | 5 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move |
| ⌛ Maximum Permitted Lateness | 30 minutes |
| ✍️ Scorekeeping | Mandatory |
| 👥 Maximum Field | 60 players across both sections |
A player who arrives more than 30 minutes after the scheduled starting time may not play the game.
Tie-Breaks
The organizer applies the following tie-breaks in sequence:
| Priority | Tie-Break |
|---|---|
| 1 | REP |
| 2 | Buchholz Cut 1 |
| 3 | Buchholz Total |
| 4 | Average Rating of Opponents – ARO |
First-Round Bye
Players may request a half-point bye for Round 1. However, they must inform the tournament director by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2.
🏆 Prize Fund
The published cash prizes total €1,150 / approximately $1,330. In addition, the organizer plans further rating and age-category prizes.
Tournament A Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | €300 / approx. $350, plus a cup |
| 🥈 2nd Place | €250 / approx. $290 |
| 🥉 3rd Place | €150 / approx. $180 |
Tournament A total: €700 / approximately $810.
Tournament B Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | €200 / approx. $240, plus a cup |
| 🥈 2nd Place | €150 / approx. $180 |
| 🥉 3rd Place | €100 / approx. $120 |
Tournament B total: €450 / approximately $520.
Additional Awards
The organizer also plans additional prizes based on:
- Rating categories
- Age categories
The regulations do not specify the values or exact category thresholds for these additional awards.
Prize Conditions
Prizes are indivisible and non-cumulative. Therefore, one player cannot combine several awards.
The organizer does not distribute prizes before the closing ceremony. Prize recipients should also have the following information available:
- Italian tax identification number or relevant tax details
- IBAN
- BIC/SWIFT code
♟️ Sections / Groups
The tournament consists of two separate pairing groups.
| Section | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament A | Players with a FIDE rating above 1700 |
| ♟️ Tournament B | Unrated players or players with a FIDE rating below 1750 |
The published thresholds overlap between 1701 and 1749. Consequently, players within that rating range meet the stated rating condition for either section.
Italian participants must hold valid FSI membership for 2026. Meanwhile, foreign players must have a FIDE Identity Number.
The organizer accepts no more than 60 players in total across Tournament A and Tournament B.
📅 Schedule
All times use local time in Genoa.
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, October 2 | 5:00 p.m. | Deadline to request a Round 1 half-point bye |
| Friday, October 2 | 6:00 p.m. | Round 1 |
| Saturday, October 3 | 9:30 a.m. | Round 2 |
| Saturday, October 3 | 3:00 p.m. | Round 3 |
| Sunday, October 4 | 9:00 a.m. | Round 4 |
| Sunday, October 4 | 2:30 p.m. | Round 5 |
| Sunday, October 4 | Approximately 6:00 p.m. | Closing and awards ceremony |
📝 Registration
Players must complete their registration by September 30, 2026.
Pre-registration through Vesus is mandatory. However, Vesus registration alone does not complete the entry. Players must also pay the entry fee by bank transfer and email a copy of the payment receipt to the organizer.
Entry Fees
| Player Category | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| 👤 Standard Entry | €55 / approx. $70 |
| 🧑 Under 18 – Born 2008–2011 | €35 / approx. $50 |
| 👦 Under 14 – Born in 2012 or Later | €25 / approx. $30 |
Santa Sabina Member Discounts
| Member Category | Discount |
|---|---|
| 👤 Adult Santa Sabina Member | €10 / approx. $20 |
| 🧑 Under-18 or Under-14 Santa Sabina Member | €5 / approx. $10 |
Registration Procedure
- Complete the mandatory preliminary registration on Vesus:
https://vesus.org/tournament/bqrKvto0 - Pay the applicable entry fee by bank transfer.
- Use a payment reference containing:
- “Iscrizione Torneo Valbisagno”
- Player’s full name
- Tournament A or Tournament B
- Email the payment receipt and the player’s full name to:
santasabinascacchi@gmail.com
Bank Transfer Details
| Payment Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Account Holder | U.S. ACLI Santa Sabina |
| IBAN | IT06U0760101400000004857738 |
| Payment Reference | Iscrizione Torneo Valbisagno, player’s full name, Tournament A or B |
Registration becomes final only after the organizer receives the bank transfer and supporting email.
If registrations exceed the 60-player capacity, the organizer accepts players according to the date on which it receives each bank transfer.
🏛️ Organizer
| Contact Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Organizer Name | Circolo Scacchistico U.S. ACLI Santa Sabina |
| santasabinascacchi@gmail.com |
📍 Venue
Salone di rappresentanza del Municipio Bassa Val Bisagno – Piazza Manzoni 1, Genoa, Italy.
The tournament takes place in the representative hall of Municipio Bassa Val Bisagno. The municipal venue lies near Genova Brignole railway station and within Genoa’s Bassa Val Bisagno district.
The City of Genoa and Municipio Bassa Val Bisagno provide their patronage for the event.
🚆 How to Get There
The regulations provide practical access information from Genova Brignole station and nearby public transport.
| Travel Method | Information |
|---|---|
| 🚆 From Genova Brignole Station | The venue lies approximately 800 meters from the station, around an 11-minute walk |
| 🚌 By City Bus | Bus routes 18, 47, 49, and 82 serve the area near the venue |
| 🚗 By Car | Paid parking facilities are available approximately 10 minutes on foot from the playing hall |
Official Transport Resources
Italian rail journey planner:
https://www.trenitalia.com/
Genoa public transport:
https://www.amt.genova.it/
Public transport schedules may change. Therefore, players should check the official journey planners shortly before traveling.
ℹ️ Other Information
Tournament Rules
The organizer applies the FSI and FIDE regulations in force on the tournament dates. Moreover, the organizer requires all players to record their moves.
Italian and Foreign Players
Italian players need valid FSI membership for the 2026 season.
Foreign players must hold a FIDE Identity Number before participating.
Capacity
The combined capacity for Tournament A and Tournament B is 60 players.
If entries exceed this limit, the organizer uses the date of receipt of the bank transfer to determine acceptance order.
Prize Payments
The organizer does not distribute prizes before the closing ceremony. In addition, prizes cannot be divided or accumulated.
Prize recipients should bring the information needed for payment, including their tax identification details, IBAN, and BIC/SWIFT code.
Registration, Entries and Results
Vesus publishes the tournament registration page and will provide the participant information, pairings, standings, and results:
https://vesus.org/tournament/bqrKvto0
Official Organizer Website
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $1,330
Organizer
♟️ About Circolo Scacchistico U.S. ACLI Santa Sabina
Circolo Scacchistico U.S. ACLI Santa Sabina is a chess club and tournament organizer based in Genoa, Italy. The club operates within the U.S. ACLI Santa Sabina sports association. It welcomes competitive players, casual members, adults, children, and families from Genoa and the surrounding Liguria region.
The chess section has promoted the game in Genoa since 2010. Rolando Bertolini and Aldo Sigona helped introduce organized chess activity within Circolo ACLI Santa Sabina. Since then, the club has joined the Italian Chess Federation (FSI) and developed a broad program of tournaments, lessons, team competition, and community events.
Claudio Buselli serves as President of the chess club. He also acts as a principal public contact for tournaments and club activities. Moreover, the club’s technical program operates under Technical Director Fabrizio Milieni, with support from its elected board and FSI-qualified instructors.
🏆 Tournaments and Competitive Activity
Santa Sabina organizes both FSI-rated competitions and tournaments for developing players. Its regular program includes classical, rapid, and blitz chess. Therefore, members can compete across different formats throughout the year.
The club’s principal classical event is the Week-End Valbisagno. The tournament usually offers separate rating groups, five Swiss-system rounds, and FIDE-rated classical play. In 2026, the club organizes the XXIV Week-End Valbisagno in Genoa.
Santa Sabina also runs the Memorial Massimo Saffioti, seasonal club championships, rapid competitions, and the multi-stage Grand Prix Lampo. In addition, its tournament archive records the Memorial Bertolini, Memorial Sigona, Christmas tournaments, and numerous junior events.
The club publishes tournament regulations, manages registrations, and submits eligible events for federation rating. Meanwhile, its experienced organizing team works with arbiters, municipal venues, and the Liguria chess authorities.
🎓 Youth Chess and Player Development
Youth development forms a central part of Santa Sabina’s activity. The club operates a recognized Centro di Avviamento allo Sport, which introduces children to structured chess training.
FSI instructors provide beginner courses and more advanced lessons. They teach calculation, planning, concentration, and practical tournament skills. Moreover, Saturday morning sessions focus specifically on younger players.
The club also supports the Trofeo Juniores Città di Genova, the regional Trofeo CONI, and school chess competitions. These events give children experience in individual and team formats. As a result, students can progress from introductory lessons to official federation competition.
In addition, the club maintains a chess library for its members. Players can use the collection to study openings, strategy, tactics, endgames, and notable games.
♜ Team Chess and Club Activity
Santa Sabina participates in the Campionato Italiano a Squadre. Its teams compete in Serie C and Promozione. Therefore, club members can represent Santa Sabina in official league matches against other Italian clubs.
The club also provides regular opportunities for casual play, guided practice, game analysis, and social chess. Adults can attend open club sessions, while instructors support younger players during designated training periods.
Furthermore, Santa Sabina takes chess into the wider Genoa community. Its activities have included public chess sessions at the former Corso Sardegna market, municipal sporting initiatives, and youth events organized with local institutions.
The club works with the Municipality of Genoa, the Municipio Bassa Val Bisagno, U.S. ACLI, and regional chess organizations. Consequently, it combines federation competition with educational and community-based chess.
