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19th Open International Chess Tournament of Kalamaria 2026

19th Kalamaria Open 2026 – Regulations
Official Regulations

19th Kalamaria Open 2026

International Chess Tournament · Kalamaria, Thessaloniki
DatesAug 28 – Sep 4, 2026
VenueMunicipal Theatre “Navarchos Votsis”
Total Prizes€5000
General Information
🏛️
Playing Hall
Municipal Theatre “Navarchos Votsis”
📍
Address
Anatolikis Thrakis 8, Kalamaria 551 34
(next to the 4th–5th High School of Kalamaria)
📅
Arrivals / Departures
August 28 (arrivals) – September 4 (departures)
Groups & System
♟ Group A
🔄9-round Swiss
📊FIDE ≥1800 (women ≥1700)
⏱️90’+15’+30″ increment
⏸️Up to 2 byes (½ pt each, up to Rd 4)
♟ Group B
🔄9-round Swiss
📊FIDE 1400–2000 & unrated
⏱️90’+15’+30″ increment
⏸️Up to 2 byes (½ pt each, up to Rd 4)
♟ Group C
🔄7-round Swiss
👶Children born after 01.01.2014
⏱️45’+30″ increment
⏸️Up to 2 byes (½ pt each, up to Rd 3)
ℹ️ The organizers may accept up to 3 players in Group A who do not meet the rating requirement. An additional 3 spots are available via the 18th Open Blitz “G. Ioakeimidis” (Aug 27).
Schedule
Round Group A & B Group C
Rd 1Friday, Aug 28 · 17:00Tuesday, Sep 1 · 17:00
Rd 2Saturday, Aug 29 · 17:00Tuesday, Sep 1 · 19:00
Rd 3Sunday, Aug 30 · 10:00Wednesday, Sep 2 · 17:00
Rd 4Sunday, Aug 30 · 17:30Wednesday, Sep 2 · 19:00
Rd 5Monday, Aug 31 · 17:00Thursday, Sep 3 · 17:00
Rd 6Tuesday, Sep 1 · 17:00Thursday, Sep 3 · 19:00
Rd 7Wednesday, Sep 2 · 17:00Friday, Sep 4 · 10:30
Rd 8Thursday, Sep 3 · 17:00
Rd 9Friday, Sep 4 · 10:30
🏆 CeremonyFriday, Sep 4 · 15:30Friday, Sep 4 · 13:00
Money Prizes
🥇 Group A €4,300
Final Ranking
🥇 1st place€1,500
🥈 2nd place€1,000
🥉 3rd place€700
4th place€400
5th place€200
6th place€100
Categories
👩 1st woman€125
👩 2nd woman€75
1st <2200€100
1st <2000€100
🥈 Group B €700
Final Ranking
🥇 1st place€250
🥈 2nd place€150
🥉 3rd place€125
4th place€100
Categories
👩 1st woman€75
🥉 Group C Children ≤12 yrs

Awards for all age categories:

🏆 Cups: 1st–3rd overall & 1st girl

🥈 Medals: 1st–3rd & 1st girl in categories U08, U10, U12

⚠️ Absence from the Closing Ceremony = loss of money prizes & awards for all Groups. Prizes in Groups A & B are shared per the Hort system. Category prizes are not shared. A player entitled to multiple prizes receives the highest one.
Awards (Cups & Medals)
🏆
Group A – Cups
1st – 3rd place & 1st woman
🥈
Group A – Medals
4th – 6th place & 2nd–3rd women
🏆
Group B – Cups
1st – 3rd place & 1st woman
🥈
Group B – Medals
4th–6th place, 2nd–3rd women & 1st–3rd + 1st girl in U08, U10, U12, U14, U16
🏆
Group C – Cups
1st – 3rd place & 1st girl
🥈
Group C – Medals
1st–3rd & 1st girl in categories U08, U10, U12
Entry Fee
♟ Group A
FIDE >2400 & women >2200FREE
FIDE 2300–2399 & women 2100–2199€30
FIDE 2000–2299 & women 1900–2099€60
FIDE 1800–1999 & women 1700–1899€80
♟ Group B
FIDE 1800–2000€40
All other players€60
♟ Group C
All players€25
Discounts & Deadlines:
  • 2nd family member: −20% on total fee
  • 3rd family member and beyond: −50%
  • Players with disabilities: −50%
  • Pre-payment until July 31 — from August 1 a €10 surcharge applies
  • Full refund available for cancellations until August 15
Tie-Break Criteria
  1. Direct Encounter
  2. Buchholz Cut-1
  3. Buchholz
  4. Sonneborn-Berger
  5. Greater number of victories
Registration
📅
Deadline
Sunday, August 23, 2026
📧
Email (alternative)
kalamaria.open@gmail.com — include Name, FIDE ID, Group & Phone
On-site Confirmation
Friday, Aug 28 · 13:00–15:30 at the playing hall
Via WhatsApp/Viber: +30 697 6283524 · Sat Aug 31 · 13:00–15:30
Payment Method
🏦 Alpha Bank
Beneficiary: ENOSI SKAKISTON KALAMARIAS
GR07 0140 4180 4180 0200 2000 068
🏦 National Bank of Greece
Beneficiary: ENOSI SKAKISTON THESSALONIKIS
GR27 0110 2510 0000 2514 8000 364
💳 Revolut (recommended for participants from abroad)
Beneficiary: KLEON EVANGELOS BALLAS
LT57 3250 0639 6094 2339  or  tel. +30 697 6283524
Include the full name of participant(s) and group in the transfer reference (e.g. APOSTOLOU ELIAS – GROUP B). Send proof of payment to kalamaria.open@gmail.com. Bank transfer costs are borne by the participant.
Side Event

⚡ 18th Open Blitz “G. Ioakeimidis”

📅Thursday, August 27 · starting at 17:30
🔄9-round Swiss · 5 min + 3 sec/move
💰Money Prizes: €400
★ Top 3 unrated-for-Group-A players earn the right to participate in Group A (paying corresponding fee)
Appeals & Anticheating
  • Appeals must be submitted within 30 minutes after the end of the game, in writing to the Chief Arbiter.
  • Appeal fee: €80 — refunded if the appeal is accepted.
  • The Appeals Committee consists of 5 members (3 regular + 2 substitutes), appointed before Round 1.
  • The organizers may apply FIDE anticheating controls on all players throughout the round.
  • Players may not leave the playing hall during their game without informing the Chief Arbiter.
  • Failure to appear for a round without prior notice to the arbiters = immediate exclusion.
Organizing Staff
🎯
Tournament Director
IA Ballas, Kleon-Evangelos
+30 697 6283524
📋
Organizing Director
IA Antoniadis, Ioannis
⚖️
Chief Arbiter
IA Mimikos, Stylianos
+30 694 2680745
Useful Links
🌐
📋
Registration (Chess-Venue)
chess-venue.vercel.app