11th International Chess Festival

From 24 to 26 April 2026, Lignano Sabbiadoro will once again become the capital of strategy with the eleventh edition of the International Chess Festival. An unmissable event that combines the charm of this ancient game with the beauty of the Adriatic coast, attracting masters and enthusiasts from all over Italy and abroad.

Organised by the Accademia di Scacchi ASD of Trieste, the event guarantees technical excellence, including DGT electronic chessboards for live tracking of games and a dedicated welcome for players.

The Tournaments

The competition consists of two main events (5 rounds using the Swiss system):

Tournament A – MASTER: Reserved for players with an ELO rating above 1800.
Tournament B – EXPERT: Open to players with an ELO rating below 1799.

Time control: 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move. Prize fund: €1,600 in total, with special prizes for the Under-16, Women’s and Over-60 categories.

Event Programme

Friday 24 April: 3.30 pm Registration | 6.30 pm Round 1
Saturday 25 April: 9.30 am Round 2 | 3.30 pm Round 3
Sunday 26 April: 09:30 4th Round | 15:30 5th Round | Followed by: Awards Ceremony.

Accommodation and Registration

To ensure you can enjoy the tournament in complete comfort, special hotel rates are available at the Hotel Centrale (the tournament venue) and the Hotel Luna.

Eligibility: Open to FSI 2026 members (membership can be obtained on-site) and foreign players with FIN FIDE membership.
Registration: Online via bank transfer by 24/04/2026 or in person at the venue (subject to a surcharge).
Bonus: Free coffee break service for all participants.

Mind, strategy and the sea: let yourself be captivated by the challenge on the chessboard in the unique setting of Lignano Sabbiadoro.

Register Now!