2026 Geelong Open
Location
St Joseph's College
About
The Geelong Chess Club is pleased to host the 2026 Geelong Open, returning for its second year following the successful revival of the event in 2025.
The tournament will be ACF and FIDE rated, offering players a competitive and enjoyable weekend of chess in a friendly and professionally run environment.
Dates:
21–22 November 2026
Venue:
St Joseph’s College Geelong
135 Aphrasia St, Newtown VIC 3220, Australia
Format:
5 Round Swiss
Time Control:
60 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move
Rating:
ACF and FIDE rated
Forfeiture Time:
30 minutes from the scheduled start of the round
Round Schedule:
Saturday 21 November
Round 1 — 10:30 AM
Round 2 — 2:00 PM
Round 3 — 5:30 PM
Sunday 22 November
Round 4 — 10:30 AM
Round 5 — 2:00 PM
Prizegiving: Approximately 5:30 PM
Entry Information:
Early Bird entry available until 7 November 2026
Standard entry applies 7 November until 20 November 2026. Entries close at 11:59 PM on 20 November
Adult: $100 ($90 early bird)
Concession: $80 ($70 early bird)
Junior: $70 ($60 early bird)
Free entry for Titled Players (GM / WGM / IM / WIM / FM / WFM)
Any titled players wishing to claim free entry should email us at geelongchessclub@gmail.com.
Tournament Regulations:
Tie-Breaks (in order)
Buchholz (BH)
Buchholz Cut 1 (BH/C1)
Sonneborn-Berger (SB)
Accelerated Pairings:
If the tournament reaches 40 or more players, accelerated Swiss pairings will be used for the first two rounds.
If fewer than 40 players participate, standard Swiss pairings will be used.
Half-Point Byes:
Players may request one half-point bye in Rounds 1–3.
Requests must be submitted before the start of the previous round (for example: r2 bye request must be submitted before the start of r1)
No half-point byes are permitted in Rounds 4 or 5.
Prize Pool – $1,500 Guaranteed
1st Place — $700
2nd Place — $350
3rd Place — $200
Best U2000 — $100
Best U1500 — $100
Best Junior — $50
Prize pool may increase depending on entries.
International Players:
All foreign players must have a FIDE Identification Number (FIN).
Foreign players without a FIDE ID must obtain one through their national federation before registering.
Refreshments:
Complimentary refreshments will be available throughout the weekend.
Website:
https://geelongchess.wordpress.com/geelong-open
Enquiries:
Rob Dejanovic — 0436 528 444
Jack Smith — 0406 199 457
Email:
geelongchessclub@gmail.com
The tournament will be ACF and FIDE rated, offering players a competitive and enjoyable weekend of chess in a friendly and professionally run environment.
Dates:
21–22 November 2026
Venue:
St Joseph’s College Geelong
135 Aphrasia St, Newtown VIC 3220, Australia
Format:
5 Round Swiss
Time Control:
60 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move
Rating:
ACF and FIDE rated
Forfeiture Time:
30 minutes from the scheduled start of the round
Round Schedule:
Saturday 21 November
Round 1 — 10:30 AM
Round 2 — 2:00 PM
Round 3 — 5:30 PM
Sunday 22 November
Round 4 — 10:30 AM
Round 5 — 2:00 PM
Prizegiving: Approximately 5:30 PM
Entry Information:
Early Bird entry available until 7 November 2026
Standard entry applies 7 November until 20 November 2026. Entries close at 11:59 PM on 20 November
Adult: $100 ($90 early bird)
Concession: $80 ($70 early bird)
Junior: $70 ($60 early bird)
Free entry for Titled Players (GM / WGM / IM / WIM / FM / WFM)
Any titled players wishing to claim free entry should email us at geelongchessclub@gmail.com.
Tournament Regulations:
Tie-Breaks (in order)
Buchholz (BH)
Buchholz Cut 1 (BH/C1)
Sonneborn-Berger (SB)
Accelerated Pairings:
If the tournament reaches 40 or more players, accelerated Swiss pairings will be used for the first two rounds.
If fewer than 40 players participate, standard Swiss pairings will be used.
Half-Point Byes:
Players may request one half-point bye in Rounds 1–3.
Requests must be submitted before the start of the previous round (for example: r2 bye request must be submitted before the start of r1)
No half-point byes are permitted in Rounds 4 or 5.
Prize Pool – $1,500 Guaranteed
1st Place — $700
2nd Place — $350
3rd Place — $200
Best U2000 — $100
Best U1500 — $100
Best Junior — $50
Prize pool may increase depending on entries.
International Players:
All foreign players must have a FIDE Identification Number (FIN).
Foreign players without a FIDE ID must obtain one through their national federation before registering.
Refreshments:
Complimentary refreshments will be available throughout the weekend.
Website:
https://geelongchess.wordpress.com/geelong-open
Enquiries:
Rob Dejanovic — 0436 528 444
Jack Smith — 0406 199 457
Email:
geelongchessclub@gmail.com