XXXI Open Internacional Virgen de Valencia 2026
XXXI Open Internacional Virgen de Valencia 2026 The XXXI Open Internacional Virgen de Valencia 2026 is a seven-round FIDE-rated classical tournament in Vioño de Piélagos, Cantabria, from September 4 to 7. The long-running event brings together regional players and international entrants in one Swiss competition.
Games use 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. The organizer allows a maximum of two half-point byes, except in the final round, and applies a one-hour default time. The advance entry fee is €25 through August 31.
Play begins at 17:00 on September 4 and is scheduled to finish by approximately 16:00 on September 7. Participants should consult the organizer’s final timetable for the exact daily round distribution before booking return travel.
📌 Event Details
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates | September 4–7, 2026 |
| 🌍 Location | Vioño de Piélagos, Cantabria, Spain |
| ♟️ Format | 7-round Swiss |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE Standard rated |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move |
| ⏳ Default Time | 1 hour |
| ➗ Byes | Maximum two half-point byes, excluding the final round |
| 💶 Advance Entry Fee | €25 through August 31 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
All seven rounds use 90+30 from move one. Players must continue notation and comply with the electronic-device and fair-play requirements communicated by the arbiter team.
The official federation listing publishes the opening and closing time window. The precise daily pairings should be confirmed through the organizer page and Chess-Results before travel.
🏆 Prize Fund & Awards
A complete confirmed cash-prize schedule was not available in the verified federation listing. The prize-fund import field remains blank rather than presenting an unsupported total.
📂 Sections / Groups
| Section / Group | Eligibility | Format / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open International | Eligible registered players | Single FIDE-rated Swiss field |
| Bye requests | Maximum two requested half-point byes | No requested bye in the final round |
🗓️ Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| September 4 | 17:00 | Tournament begins and Round 1 |
| September 5–6 | Organizer timetable | Middle rounds |
| September 7 | Morning and early afternoon | Final rounds |
| September 7 | By approximately 16:00 | Tournament conclusion |
📝 Registration
| Registration Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Advance fee | €25 through August 31 |
| Entry channel | Use the Ajedrez en Piélagos official page |
| Bye requests | Submit before pairings according to the regulations |
| FIDE data | Provide the correct FIDE ID and federation |
| Confirmation | Retain the organizer’s acceptance and payment confirmation |
Use the current official resource URLs below. Registration is complete only after the organizer confirms acceptance and any required payment.
👤 Organizer
| Organizer Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Ajedrez en Piélagos |
| Contact | Use the official organizer page for current entry and contact information. |
| Primary Official URL | https://www.fcajedrez.es/torneo/2026/xxxi-trofeo-virgen-de-valencia/ |
| Chess-Results URL | https://chess-results.com/tnr1444147.aspx?lan=1 |
📍 Venue
Polideportivo Centro Antonio Robinet – Vioño de Piélagos, Cantabria, Spain
The tournament takes place at Polideportivo Centro Antonio Robinet in Vioño de Piélagos.
Participants should confirm parking, building access and the specific playing hall before the first round.
🚗 How to Get There
| Travel Option | Practical Details |
|---|---|
| By train | Use Renfe or FEVE services toward the Piélagos area and complete the local journey by taxi or bus: https://www.renfe.com/es/en. |
| By bus | Regional Cantabria services connect Santander, Torrelavega and Piélagos municipalities. |
| By air | Santander Airport is the closest commercial airport: https://www.aena.es/en/seve-ballesteros-santander.html. |
| By car | Approach from the A-67 or local Cantabria road network and use the full sports-center destination. |
| On arrival | Allow time to identify the correct entrance and complete any attendance procedure. |
Transport schedules, road conditions, engineering work and parking rules may change. Check the final route shortly before departure.
🏨 Accommodation Near the Venue
| Accommodation Option | URL / Practical Details |
|---|---|
| Hotel Torresport, Torrelavega | https://www.hoteltorresport.com/ |
| Hotel Chiqui, Santander | https://www.hotelchiqui.com/ |
| Gran Hotel Victoria, Santander | https://www.granhotelvictoria.com/ |
Accommodation is not included unless the organizer explicitly states otherwise. Confirm availability, final price, taxes, cancellation terms, breakfast, accessibility, parking and transfer time directly before payment.
ℹ️ Other Information
The one-hour default time does not replace the need to arrive before the scheduled start. Late arrival can still affect pairings and practical participation.
Players requesting byes should retain written confirmation and verify the score allocation before the corresponding round.
Keep the latest organizer communication because room assignments, capacity, reporting procedures and payment instructions can change.
MyChess.Events lists the tournament for discovery and planning. Official entry must be completed through the organizer’s current channel.
✅ Final Checks Before Travel
| Check | Action |
|---|---|
| Entry confirmation | Keep written confirmation that the organizer accepted the registration and payment. |
| Eligibility | Recheck rating, age, federation, license and section requirements before departure. |
| Schedule | Verify the reporting deadline, first-round start and any last-minute timetable update. |
| Travel | Allow additional time for public transport, parking, venue access and local navigation. |
| Accommodation | Confirm the room, taxes, breakfast, cancellation policy and journey to the playing venue. |
| Documents | Bring identification, federation details, medication and any equipment requested by the organizer. |
🔗 Official Resources
| Resource | URL |
|---|---|
| Cantabrian Chess Federation Page | https://www.fcajedrez.es/torneo/2026/xxxi-trofeo-virgen-de-valencia/ |
| Organizer Website | https://www.ajedrezpielagos.org/home/2026/xxxi-trofeo-virgen-de-valencia-2026 |
| Chess-Results | https://chess-results.com/tnr1444147.aspx?lan=1 |
| FIDE Event Information | https://ratings.fide.com/tournament_information.phtml?event=481013 |
Additional Details
Organizer
♟️ About Ajedrez en Piélagos
Ajedrez en Piélagos is a chess organization, tournament platform, and community project based in the municipality of Piélagos, Cantabria, Spain. Its activities are closely connected with Club Deportivo Básico Salcedo, commonly known as Club Ajedrez Salcedo, which provides the legal and organizational structure behind its principal tournaments.
The organization promotes over-the-board chess among children, adults, recreational players, experienced competitors, and titled professionals. Its work includes international tournaments, team competitions, youth festivals, municipal chess activities, tournament reporting, game publication, and cooperation with the Cantabrian Chess Federation and Piélagos Town Council.
Miguel Ángel Muela Pérez serves as the principal tournament organizer for the Open Internacional Virgen de Valencia. He works with arbiters, club members, municipal institutions, volunteers, schools, sponsors, and local sports facilities to deliver events in Vioño de Piélagos and other locations in Cantabria.
🏆 Tournaments and Competitive Chess
The Open Internacional Virgen de Valencia is the organization’s principal classical tournament. First held more than three decades ago, it reached its 31st edition in 2026. The event takes place in Vioño de Piélagos and attracts regional players, international visitors, titled competitors, juniors, and experienced club players.
The tournament is submitted for FIDE Standard rating and traditionally uses a multi-day Swiss-system format. Its long history, substantial prize structure, international participation, and regular presence on the Spanish tournament calendar have made it one of Cantabria’s best-established open chess competitions.
Ajedrez en Piélagos also supports the Torneo de la Amistad de Piélagos, a long-running team tournament traditionally held near the end of the year. The competition reached its 41st edition in 2025 and brings together chess clubs from Cantabria and neighbouring regions for rapid or blitz team play.
Another important project is Robin Chess, a large youth chess festival organized through Club Deportivo Básico Salcedo. The event features separate age categories and combines competitive chess with educational, cultural, and recreational activities. Its programme is designed to create a complete festival experience rather than a standalone tournament.
Club Ajedrez Salcedo also participates in the Cantabrian team-league structure. Its players compete in official regional championships, while the wider Piélagos chess community maintains teams across several competitive levels. This provides opportunities for established players and developing juniors to represent local chess throughout the season.
🎓 Youth Development and Community Chess
Youth chess has been one of the defining features of chess activity in Piélagos. The municipality has a long history of organizing large school tournaments, including the Antonio Robinet Chess Festival, which became known for attracting hundreds of young participants from Cantabria and other Spanish regions.
The wider Piélagos chess structure includes municipal chess schools and EDM Piélagos teams. Training activities are available in several parts of the municipality, including Renedo, Liencres, and Arce. Children can begin with the basic rules before progressing to tactics, strategy, tournament procedures, regional events, and team competition.
The municipal programme has produced players who compete successfully at Cantabrian and Spanish level. Young participants represent Piélagos in school championships, age-group tournaments, regional team competitions, and national events.
Ajedrez en Piélagos also promotes the educational and social values of chess. Its tournaments have traditionally emphasized respect, fair play, inclusion, friendship, and healthy competition. Youth events may also include workshops, exhibitions, lectures, games, and other activities for players and accompanying families.
Through international tournaments, youth festivals, municipal-school cooperation, team chess, and community events, Ajedrez en Piélagos provides a broad chess programme for Vioño de Piélagos and the surrounding municipality.
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