Explore the Tournaments
Five Tournaments. Something for Every Player.
From a five-round classical Weekender to nine rounds of international tournament chess, plus fast-paced blitz and rapid events and our Rising Stars tournament for younger players, the Sligo Chess & Culture Festival offers something for players at every level.
The four main tournaments are FIDE-rated, while Rising Stars (Under 12) provides a non-rated tournament for younger and developing players. All five tournaments are played at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo.
Weekender
29–31 January 2027
5 rounds · 90+30 · FIDE & ICU rated
Five rounds of classical chess across five rating sections, giving players the opportunity to compete against opponents of a similar playing strength.
Blitz Open
Monday, 1 February 2027
11 rounds · 3+2 · FIDE Blitz rated
Start Bank Holiday Monday with 11 rounds of fast-paced blitz. Enter it as a standalone tournament or combine it with other tournaments and activities at the festival.
9-Round Open
1–7 February 2027
9 rounds · 90+30 · FIDE & ICU rated
The centrepiece of the festival’s international week. Nine rounds of classical chess over seven days, bringing players from Ireland and overseas together in Sligo.
Rapid Open
Saturday, 6 February 2027
7 rounds · 10+5 · FIDE Rapid rated
Seven rounds of rapid chess on the festival’s final weekend.
The Rapid Open is also the final event of the Sligo Rapid Series, bringing the series that began in August to its conclusion at the Sligo Chess & Culture Festival.
The tournament is open to everyone — you don’t need to have played in the earlier Rapid Series events to enter.
Compare the Tournaments
| Weekender | Blitz Open | 9-Round Open | Rapid Open | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dates | 29–31 Jan | 1 Feb | 1–7 Feb | 6 Feb |
| Rounds | 5 | 11 | 9 | 7 |
| Time Control | 90+30 | 3+2 | 90+30 | 10+5 |
| FIDE Rated | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ICU Rated | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Play One — or Combine Them
You don’t have to choose just one tournament.
Weekender players can stay for the Blitz Open on Bank Holiday Monday. Players competing in the 9-Round Open can also play the Blitz Open and Rapid Open around their classical schedule. And players coming to Sligo for the final weekend can enter the Rapid Open as a standalone tournament.
Each tournament has its own separate entry.
More Than Tournament Chess
Tournament chess is at the heart of the Sligo Chess & Culture Festival, but your games don’t have to be your whole experience.
Around the tournaments you’ll find a wider programme of social events, casual chess, talks, simuls, board games, film, traditional Irish music, cultural activities and opportunities to discover Sligo.