47th Ghent Open International Chess Tournament

Koninklijke Gentse Schaakkring Ruy Lopez

The Ghent Open 2026 will once again take place at Sint-Barbaracollege in Ghent.

In 2024, the church was available as a chess venue for the first time. The many positive responses we received in 2024 and 2025 show that this was a successful initiative.

The church will also be available for this tournament.

There are some important changes for the Ghent Open 2026!
Read all about it here.

CHESS FESTIVAL GHENT 2026
3 Tournament
Open FIDE rated
The FIDE rated tournament has become an established name. Five days, two rounds per day, with one round on the final day.

Maximum number of participants for FIDE and unrated tournament combined: 420
Unrated
The unrated tournament will continue. Play chess for fun without worrying about the rating. Five days, two rounds per day, with one round on the final day.

Maximum number of participants for FIDE and unrated tournament combined: 420
Minimum number of participants for the unrated tournament: 10
Open 55+
The unrated senior tournament for players born before January 1, 1972. Five rounds, one round per day.

Maximum number of participants: 120

Open FIDE rated

R1: 18.07.2026 > 14:00 - 18:00
R2: 18.07.2026 > 19:00 - 23:00
R3: 19.07.2026 > 13:00 - 17:00
R4: 19.07.2026 > 19:00 - 23:00
R5: 20.07.2026 > 13:00 - 17:00
R6: 20.07.2026 > 19:00 - 23:00
R7: 21.07.2026 > 13:00 - 17:00
R8: 21.07.2026 > 19:00 - 23:00
R9: 22.07.2026 > 11:00 - 15:00

Award ceremony 22.07.2026 at approximately 5.00 PM
9 Round Swiss - 90 min + 30 sec/move
Bye = 1/2 pt (max. 2 during the first 5 rounds)

Entree fee* **: € 50 - Youth players (born after 01.01.2006): € 30 - (W)FM: € 30 - (W)GM, (W)IM, Belgian (W)FM: free

(*) + € 10 upon registration and payment after 01/07/26
(**) incl. reception and tournament bulletins

Arbiter: International Arbiter Marc Bils

How to register for the tournament?

• Click on register in the menu to complete the registration form on the registration site.
• Pay the entree fee on our bank account IBAN BE48 7374 2629 4027 - BIC KREDBEBB with clear mention of the participant's name.
NEW IN 2026
Registration on the day of the tournament, before the start of the first round, is no longer possible. Everyone must register in advance. Online registration is open until 11:59 PM on Saturday, July 11, 2026. After that, registration is no longer possible!

Digital sign-up will be available the week before the tournament, online registration closes at 11:00 PM on Thursday evening. In-person registration at the entrance gate of the tournament hall is therefore no longer required. However, you are still expected to check in at the student residence for accommodation.

The procedure that will be followed is available further down this page under 'General Information - Registration and Sign-Up'.
Extra conditions:

Only a select number of (W)GM's will be given free accommodation (breakfast included) in a student home. No further conditions will be granted.

Prize money based on 300 paying participants:

Open unrated

R1: 18.07.2026 > 14:00 - 18:00
R2: 18.07.2026 > 19:00 - 23:00
R3: 19.07.2026 > 13:00 - 17:00
R4: 19.07.2026 > 19:00 - 23:00
R5: 20.07.2026 > 13:00 - 17:00
R6: 20.07.2026 > 19:00 - 23:00
R7: 21.07.2026 > 13:00 - 17:00
R8: 21.07.2026 > 19:00 - 23:00
R9: 22.07.2026 > 11:00 - 15:00

Award ceremony 22.07.2026 at approximately 5.00 PM
9 Round Swiss - 90 min + 30 sec/move
Bye = 1/2 pt (max. 2 during the first 5 rounds)

Entree fee* **: € 50 - Youth players (born after 01.01.2006): € 30 - (W)FM: € 30 - (W)GM, (W)IM, Belgian (W)FM: free

(*) + € 10 upon registration and payment after 01/07/26
(**) incl. reception and tournament bulletins

Arbiter: International Arbiter Marc Bils

How to register for the tournament?

• Click on register in the menu to complete the registration form on the registration site.
• Pay the entree fee on our bank account IBAN BE48 7374 2629 4027 - BIC KREDBEBB with clear mention of the participant's name.
NEW IN 2026
Registration on the day of the tournament, before the start of the first round, is no longer possible. Everyone must register in advance. Online registration is open until 11:59 PM on Saturday, July 11, 2026. After that, registration is no longer possible!

Digital sign-up will be available the week before the tournament, online registration closes at 11:00 PM on Thursday evening. In-person registration at the entrance gate of the tournament hall is therefore no longer required. However, you are still expected to check in at the student residence for accommodation.

The procedure that will be followed is available further down this page under 'General Information - Registration and Sign-Up'.
Extra conditions:

Only a select number of (W)GM's will be given free accommodation (breakfast included) in a student home. No further conditions will be granted.

Prize money based on 50 paying participants:

Open 55+

The unrated senior tournament is reserved for players born before 01/01/1972

R1: 18.07.2026 > 14:00 - 18:00
R2: 19.07.2026 > 14:00 - 18:00
R3: 20.07.2026 > 14:00 - 18:00
R4: 21.07.2026 > 14:00 - 18:00
R5: 22.07.2026 > 11:00 - 15:00

Award ceremony 22.07.2026 at approximately 5.00 PM
5 Rounds Swiss - 90 min + 30 sec/move
Bye = 0 pt

Entry fee* **: € 30 - (W)GM, (W)IM, Belgian (W)FM: free

(*) + € 10 upon registration and payment after 01/07/26
(**) incl. reception and tournament bulletins

How to register for the tournament?

• Click on register in the menu to complete the registration form on the registration site
• Pay the entree fee on our bank account IBAN BE48 7374 2629 4027 - BIC KREDBEBB with clear mention of the participant's name
NEW IN 2026
Registration on the day of the tournament, before the start of the first round, is no longer possible. Everyone must register in advance. Online registration is open until 11:59 PM on Saturday, July 11, 2026. After that, registration is no longer possible!

Digital sign-up will be available the week before the tournament, online registration closes at 11:00 PM on Thursday evening. In-person registration at the entrance gate of the tournament hall is therefore no longer required. However, you are still expected to check in at the student residence for accommodation.

The procedure that will be followed is available further down this page under 'General Information - Registration and Sign-Up'.
Prize money based on 75 paying participants:

General info

The Ghent Open 2026 is an organization of the Royal Ghent Chess Club Ruy Lopez in collaboration with the City of Ghent.
Registration and Sign-Up
Registration for the tournament is only possible online, until 11:59 PM on Saturday, July 11, 2026. After that, registration will no longer be possible. Registration for the tournament will also happen digitally.
Prize money
FIDE rated: € 8.540
Unrated: € 1.425
55+: € 925

Total prize money: € 10.890

The prize money for the FIDE rated tournament is calculated based on 300 paying players, the prize money for the unrated tournament is calculated based on 50 paying players, and the prize money for the 55+ tournament is calculated based on 75 paying participants. It is adjusted proportionally to the number of paying participants in the tournaments.

In the event of a tie, prizes will be shared. The prize money is not cumulative.
Additional prizes
• The chess club participating with the highest number of main club members, is granted € 100 (excepting KGSRL).

• The team of which 5 main club players obtain the highest number of points, receives € 100. The second team, € 50.

• The winner of the chess problem competition is awarded € 25.

• Each round, the player scoring the best Elo performance receives a bottle of Cava (max. 1 bottle pro player).

• A raffle of 3 free entries to the 2027 tournament will be held among those present at the awards ceremony, and a surprise prize will reward one board each round in the 3 tournaments to mark the 125th anniversary of KGSRL.
Accommodation
Rooms are provided in the renovated student home Ter Linden

Room and breakfast - 4 nights:
€ 220 > single room
€ 320 > double room (on request, limited availability)
Reservations can be made till 01-07-2026.
Former winners
Number of participants and winners of the past 46 editions of the Ghent Open.
Regulations
The rules for the 3 tournaments (FIDE rated, unrated and 55+).
Save the date
The 2 chess problems on the 'Save the date' flyer.
No smoking
A general smoking ban applies to Sint-Barbaracollege as well as the student home Ter Linden.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I be absent for a round?

Yes, in the FIDE rated tournament and the unrated tournament you will receive half a point each for a maximum of 2 byes requested in advance until round 5. A bye in the 55+ tournament does not result in points.

How much is the prize money if more or less paying players participate in the tournament?

Prize money will be adjusted pro rata to the number of paying participants in the FIDE rated tournament (basis=300) the unrated tournament (basis=50) and the 55+ tournament (basis=75). Example 1: there are 310 paying players participating in the FIDE rated tournament, the 2nd price in the "main prizes FIDE rated" category will be: (€ 1500 x 310)/300 or € 1.550. Example 2: 45 players participate in the unrated tournament, the 1st prize in "main prizes unrated" is (€ 400 x 45)/50 or € 360.

Can I play against a clubmate?

This is avoided if possible during the first three rounds (two rounds for 55+), but it is possible later in the tournament.

When will the pairings for the next day be available?

Each evening, the pairings will be posted in the tournament hall. These can also be consulted on our website around midnight. They are also available via WhatsApp for players who have registered for this service.

What in case of disputes?

Disputes will be settled by an appeals committee consisting of 3 arbiters.

I booked a room in home Ter Linden. What is the procedure?

A room reservation is only final once payment has been received. Payment to KGSRL account number: BIC KREDBEBB - IBAN BE48 7374 2629 4027. Please include the names of all players you are paying for. The accommodation will be confirmed by e-mail after receipt of payment. Every player requesting accommodation must register at the student residence on the first day of the tournament (before 01 PM), or on Friday evening for those arriving on Friday (from 5 PM till 9 PM).

What is included in my stay?

A daily breakfast buffet is included in the price. All rooms have beds with mattress protectors, sheets, blankets, pillows and private bathroom.

Why do I have to pay a deposit?

The deposit is also a protection against loss of keys and will be refunded after the tournament if the room is left clean.

Can I extend my stay?

Yes, but it is only possible to arrive one day earlier (Friday 17 July from 18:00) or stay one day longer (Wednesday 22 July, room to leave on Thursday 23 July at 11:00). Participants wishing to stay longer in Ghent should seek accommodation on their own initiative.

What if I have to cancel for certain reasons and have already booked and paid for a room?

Paid room reservations cancelled before 25 June 2026 will be fully refunded, cancellations before 05 July 2026 for 75% and cancellations before 15 July 2026 for 50%. No cancellations will be refunded from 15/07 onwards. All refunds, if any, will be deposited only after the Open Tournament. Refunds must be requested by e-mail.

When should I leave my room?

Each player must leave their room no later than July 22 before the prize-giving ceremony, unless the room is reserved until Thursday morning, in which case the room must be left on Thursday by 11 AM.

Is parking provided nearby?

Home Ter Linden has a few parking spaces. There is a large underground parking on Sint-Pietersplein, opposite home Ter Linden. Both parking lots are paying.

I paid for the room but I haven't received a confirmation e-mail yet?

We will confirm the room as soon as the money is in our possession. If you have not received confirmation more than 10 days after your payment, please contact us by e-mail.

I wish to stay in Ghent, but not in a student home.

For the period of the Ghent Open, the organisation only offers accommodation with breakfast in the student home Ter Linden at a very democratic price. All other accommodation options are available on the website of the city of Ghent. However, you have to arrange this yourself.

Contact

Address

Sint-Barbaracollege
Savaanstraat 33
B-9000 GENT

Telefoonnummer

+32 471 94 02 19
Preferably via WhatsApp

E-mail

Schaakhuis Caïssa - KGSRL
Abrahamstraat 46
B-9000 Gent
Ondernemingsnummer
0411.954.149
RPR Gent
www.kgsrl.be
info@kgsrl.be - caissa@kgsrl.be