23–25 Oct 2026 · Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam Chess Open
- Section:
- Group D (up to 1700); Group C covers 1650–1900
- Entry fee (2026):
- €50
- Worth knowing:
- €12.50 extra without a FIDE or KNSB ID
Chess Tournaments for Amateurs, 2026–27
You do not need to be a master to play in a destination tournament. These events all have a section or prizes for lower-rated players, listed with the entry fee for that section, the year the fee applies to, and anything that adds to the cost.
Dates last checked 3 Oct 2026. Fees change each year, so confirm them on the official page. For a worked budget, see our budget guide, and for the full list by date, the tournament calendar.
Sections for players rated under 1800 or lower
The most beginner-friendly options: a section with a rating cap of 1800 or less.
10–15 Nov 2026 · Shanklin, England
Isle of Wight Ocean Chess Tournament
- Section:
- Under 1600 (also Under 1900)
- Entry fee (2026):
- £75 weekday, £55 weekend or £105 for both
- Worth knowing:
- £16.50 extra without ECF Gold membership
24 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 · London, England
London Chess Classic
- Section:
- Under 1250 in the weekend event (also U1500, U1750, U2000)
- Entry fee (2026):
- £50 per tournament
- Worth knowing:
- £20 extra without ECF Gold membership; fees rise 50% after 20 November
26–30 Dec 2026 · Zurich, Switzerland
Zürcher Weihnachtsopen (50th edition)
- Section:
- Hobby tournament (up to 1800, 7 rapid rounds)
- Entry fee (2026):
- CHF 40
- Worth knowing:
- The General tournament (up to 2050) is CHF 160 and includes the banquet
27 Dec 2026 – 5 Jan 2027 · Stockholm, Sweden
Rilton Cup (54th)
- Section:
- Rilton U1800 (7 rounds, 2–5 January); also Rilton Open (under 2400) and U2200
- Entry fee (2026):
- 900 SEK (700 SEK if born 2006 or later)
- Worth knowing:
- 200 SEK late fee after 1 December; the first 300 paid registrants are guaranteed a place
27 Dec 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 · Krakow, Poland
Cracovia International Chess Festival (37th)
- Section:
- Group D (Elo under 1700) and Group F (open, under 1800)
- Entry fee (2026):
- 200 PLN or €50 for Group D (€12 less if paid by 1 December)
- Worth knowing:
- Registration closes 14 December 2026
22–28 Feb 2027 · Cannes, France
Cannes Chess Open (40th Festival International des Jeux)
- Section:
- Group C (1600 and under)
- Entry fee (2027):
- €85, or €75 before 22 January
- Worth knowing:
- Juniors pay less
Sections for players rated under 2000
A rating cap just below 2000, which suits club players.
25 Oct 2026 – 1 Nov 2026 · Benidorm, Spain
Benidorm Chess Open
- Section:
- Open B (FIDE under 2000, or unrated)
- Entry fee (2026):
- €90
- Worth knowing:
- Event hotel is required for most players; 7 nights full board from €490 per person in a double
12–22 Dec 2026 · Sitges, Spain
Sunway Sitges International Chess Festival
- Section:
- Group B (FIDE under 2000)
- Entry fee (2026):
- €89, or free with 10+ nights at the official hotel
- Worth knowing:
- Fees page is undated and may carry over from earlier editions
26–30 Dec 2026 · Lyon, France
Trophée International de Lyon (20th)
- Section:
- Open B (Elo under 1900), 9 rounds
- Entry fee (2026):
- €50 (€25 for youth)
- Worth knowing:
- Up to two byes, through round 4; titled players free
8–15 Jan 2027 · Prague, Czech Republic
Prague Open
- Section:
- Open B (FIDE under 2000)
- Entry fee (2027):
- €51–64 with organiser accommodation, €93.50–106.50 without
- Worth knowing:
- Foreign players need a FIDE ID; €13 extra after 1 January
30 Mar 2027 – 4 Apr 2027 · Ciutadella, Spain
Open Chess Menorca (6th edition)
- Section:
- Group B (FIDE under 2000)
- Entry fee (2027):
- €180, or €480–750 per person for the all-inclusive package
- Worth knowing:
- Package prices valid to 31 December 2026
10–23 Jul 2027 · Biel/Bienne, Switzerland
Biel Chess Festival (60th)
- Section:
- Amateurs Open (FIDE 2000 or below, or unrated)
- Entry fee (2026):
- CHF 180
- Worth knowing:
- 2027 fees and rules not yet published
Dates announced, details to come
The organisers have set the dates but not yet published sections or fees. The last known figures are shown for reference.
14–16 May 2027 · Ghent, Belgium
Ghent FIDE Weekender (3rd edition)
- Section:
- Not yet announced (2026: Open, U1900 and U1650)
- Entry fee (2026):
- Not yet announced (2026: €40)
- Worth knowing:
- A FIDE ID is required
2–5 Jul 2027 · Dublin, Ireland
The Éanna Classic (2027 edition)
- Section:
- Not yet announced (the 2026 edition had Masters 2000+, Championship 1600–1999 and Challengers under 1600)
- Entry fee (2025):
- Not yet announced (2025: €35)
- Worth knowing:
- 7 rounds, FIDE-rated
Open to all ratings
No section cap, so you play the whole field or a rating-banded group. Check the details before entering.
8–16 Jan 2027 · Seville, Spain
Abierto Internacional Ciudad de Sevilla (52nd edition)
- Section:
- One open section, with prizes down to under 1600
- Entry fee (2027):
- €60
- Worth knowing:
- Foreign players need a FIDE ID
15–31 Jan 2027 · Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands
Tata Steel Chess Tournament (89th edition)
- Section:
- Amateur events (rating bands not published)
- Entry fee (2026):
- €40 for the 3-round events, €85 for the 9-round event
- Worth knowing:
- 2027 amateur dates and fees are not yet published
17–23 Mar 2027 · Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik Open
- Section:
- Open to all ratings (single 9-round open)
- Entry fee (2027):
- €260 at 1800–1999 up to €400 for unrated players
- Worth knowing:
- Field capped at about 400 players
5–9 May 2027 · Snekkersten (Helsingør), Denmark
Kronborg Chess Open
- Section:
- Round-robin groups of 8, placed by Danish rating
- Entry fee (2027):
- DKK 650
- Worth knowing:
- Registration page mentions a waiting list