The 9-Round Open Experience
Nine Rounds of Chess. One Week in Sligo.
1–7 February 2027 · Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo
Programme in development: The activities and timings shown on this page are part of our planned 2027 festival programme and are subject to change. Some activities are still to be confirmed. Full details will be published as the programme is finalised.
The 9-Round Open Experience combines nine rounds of 90+30 classical chess with blitz, rapid, social events, cultural activities, traditional Irish music, film, wellbeing experiences and time to explore Sligo.
The 9-Round Open Experience is our suggested way to experience the festival’s international week.
Your Week in Sligo
Sunday, 31 January — Arrive & Meet the Festival
Arrive in Sligo, settle into the Radisson Blu Hotel and get ready for the week ahead.
Chess Lounge · Open All Day
The Chess Lounge provides a dedicated space for casual games, analysis and conversation throughout the festival.
Drop in whenever you like to play a friendly game, meet other players or analyse tournament games away from the competitive atmosphere of the playing hall.
9-Round Open Welcome · 9:00pm
Sunday evening brings players and visitors together before the tournament begins.
The 9-Round Open Welcome is an informal opportunity to meet fellow competitors, reconnect with friends and enjoy the festival atmosphere as players arrive in Sligo from Ireland and overseas.
Bank Holiday Monday, 1 February — Blitz & Opening Round
The international week begins with fast chess in the morning before the 9-Round Open gets underway later in the day.
Chess Lounge · Open All Day
The Chess Lounge remains open throughout the day for casual games, analysis and conversation.
Blitz Open · 11 Rounds · 3+2
Start the week with 11 rounds of 3+2 blitz in the festival’s FIDE-rated Blitz Open.
The Blitz Open is a separate tournament, so 9-Round Open players can choose whether they want to add it to their festival experience.
Chess Simul · Provisional
We’re planning a simultaneous chess exhibition as part of Monday’s programme.
A simul offers the chance to take on a strong player alongside a group of other challengers and provides a very different chess experience from formal tournament play.
Further details will be announced once confirmed.
9-Round Open — Round 1 · 3:30pm
The main tournament begins on Monday afternoon with Round 1 of the 9-Round Open.
Nine rounds of classical chess now stretch ahead, with the schedule designed to leave space throughout the week for the wider festival and time to experience Sligo.
Chess at the Cinema · Provisional
We’re also planning a special screening of a chess film at the local Omniplex cinema.
Swap the tournament hall for the big screen and enjoy a relaxed evening with fellow players, families and festival visitors.
Show Where You’re From Social · 9:00pm
Finish the opening day by meeting players from different countries, clubs and chess communities.
The Show Where You’re From Social celebrates the international nature of the festival and gives players an easy opportunity to connect away from the chessboard.
Tuesday, 2 February — Double-Round Day
Tuesday is one of the tournament’s two double-round days, with two classical games and a full day focused on tournament chess.
9-Round Open — Round 2 · 9:30am
The first game of the day begins in the morning with Round 2 of the 9-Round Open.
Chess Lounge · Open All Day
The Chess Lounge remains available throughout the day for analysis, casual games and conversation between rounds.
9-Round Open — Round 3 · 3:30pm
After a break between games, players return to the tournament hall for Round 3.
With two rounds of 90+30 classical chess, Tuesday is deliberately kept free of major organised festival activities.
Wednesday, 3 February — Chess, Sligo & Culture
Wednesday brings Round 4 of the 9-Round Open in the afternoon, leaving the morning and early afternoon available for the wider festival and for exploring Sligo.
Chess Lounge · Open All Day
The Chess Lounge remains available throughout the day for casual chess and analysis.
Mindfulness by the Sea · Provisional
We’re planning a wellbeing experience by the Atlantic as part of the festival programme.
Step away from tournament chess for a while, enjoy the Sligo coastline and take some time to reset before returning to the board.
Irish Mythology Storytelling · Provisional
Discover some of the myths, legends and landscapes associated with Sligo and the northwest of Ireland.
The storytelling programme will explore the characters and stories connected with places such as Knocknarea and the surrounding landscape, offering international visitors a different way to experience Irish culture during their stay.
9-Round Open — Round 4 · 3:30pm
The tournament resumes in the afternoon with Round 4.
Thursday, 4 February — Double-Round Day
Thursday is the second of the tournament’s two double-round days and another day centred on classical chess.
9-Round Open — Round 5 · 9:30am
Round 5 begins in the morning as the tournament moves into its second half.
Chess Lounge · Open All Day
The Chess Lounge remains available between and after rounds for analysis, casual games and conversation.
9-Round Open — Round 6 · 3:30pm
Players return to the tournament hall in the afternoon for Round 6.
With two classical games during the day, Thursday is intentionally kept relatively light on other organised festival activities.
Friday, 5 February — Discover Sligo
With Round 7 of the 9-Round Open beginning in the afternoon, Friday morning and early afternoon provide one of the best opportunities of the week to explore Sligo.
Chess Lounge · Open All Day
Drop in throughout the day for casual chess and analysis.
Guided Tour of Sligo Town · Provisional
Join a guided introduction to Sligo Town before taking some time to explore independently.
Discover the town, the Garavogue, local history and some of the places that make Sligo distinctive before returning to the hotel for the afternoon round.
9-Round Open — Round 7 · 3:00pm
The tournament continues in the afternoon with Round 7.
Traditional Irish Music — Friday Evening
After the round, relax in the hotel bar and enjoy traditional Irish music.
It’s an easy way to experience some Irish culture without leaving the festival venue and a relaxed alternative to formal organised activities.
Chess at the Cinema
A festival cinema screening may also form part of Friday’s programme, depending on the final schedule.
Saturday, 6 February — Festival Day
Saturday is one of the busiest days of the festival, with the Rapid Open and a full programme of activities taking place before Round 8 of the 9-Round Open in the late afternoon.
Chess Lounge · Open All Day
The Chess Lounge remains open throughout the day for casual games, analysis and conversation.
Rapid Open · 7 Rounds · 10+5
Begin Saturday with seven rounds of 10+5 rapid chess.
The Rapid Open is a separate FIDE-rated tournament and also serves as the final event of the Sligo Rapid Series.
9-Round Open players can choose to play the Rapid before returning to classical chess later in the day.
Festival Room: Board Games · 11:00am–5:00pm
Drop into the Festival Room throughout the day to discover and play a selection of modern board games.
It’s a relaxed space for players, families and visitors who want a break from tournament chess or simply want to try something different.
Women in Chess Foundation Coffee & Cake · 2:45pm
Women and girls attending the festival are invited to an informal afternoon of coffee, cake and conversation.
The event is designed to create an easy opportunity to meet other women and girls in chess and build connections across the festival community.
Talks & Festival Activities
Saturday will also feature talks and other activities as the programme develops.
Full details and timings will be published once confirmed.
9-Round Open — Round 8 · 4:00pm
Round 8 begins in the late afternoon as the tournament moves toward its conclusion.
Woohah Chess Night · 7:00pm
Saturday evening brings chess together with hip-hop, music, games and social activity.
Woohah Chess Night offers a very different atmosphere from the tournament hall and is open to players and the public.
Sunday, 7 February — The Finale
Sunday brings the final round of the 9-Round Open and the conclusion of the festival.
Chess Lounge · Open All Day
The Chess Lounge remains available for final-round analysis, casual games and conversation.
9-Round Open — Round 9 · 10:00am
The final round begins on Sunday morning.
After nine rounds and a full week in Sligo, the tournament reaches its conclusion.
9-Round Open Awards Ceremony
The awards ceremony provides a formal conclusion to the tournament and recognises the achievements of players across the event.
Full timing will be confirmed as the programme is finalised.
Festival Farewell at Lough Gill Brewery · 5:00pm
The festival ends away from the tournament hall with one final opportunity to get together.
Join players, families, organisers and visitors at Lough Gill Brewery for pizza, drinks, games, brewery tours and a relaxed farewell before everyone begins the journey home.
Three Tournaments. One Festival Week.
Players in the 9-Round Open can choose to combine the main classical tournament with both the Blitz Open and Rapid Open.
| Blitz Open | 9-Round Open | Rapid Open | |
|---|---|---|---|
| When | Monday, 1 February | 1–7 February | Saturday, 6 February |
| Rounds | 11 | 9 | 7 |
| Time Control | 3+2 | 90+30 | 10+5 |
| Format | Blitz | Classical | Rapid |
| Entry | Separate tournament entry | Separate tournament entry | Separate tournament entry |
Play only the 9-Round Open or add one or both of the faster tournaments to your week.
More Than Tournament Chess
The 9-Round Open Experience has been designed around more than nine classical games.
The tournament schedule leaves time throughout the week for social events, casual chess, talks, board games, cultural experiences, film, traditional Irish music, wellbeing activities and opportunities to discover Sligo.
There is no expectation that everyone follows the same itinerary. Play the additional tournaments or don’t. Join the cultural activities, explore Sligo independently, relax at the hotel or spend time analysing games in the Chess Lounge.
The aim is to give players the freedom to create the festival week that suits them.
Relax at the Hotel
The Radisson Blu offers more than somewhere to play and sleep.
Take some time away from the chessboard with a swim in the hotel pool or unwind at the spa. The leisure facilities provide another way to relax between games and are also useful for partners and family members while tournament rounds are underway.
We’re exploring the possibility of pool day passes for festival visitors who aren’t staying at the hotel. Full details will be published once arrangements with the hotel are confirmed.
Discover Sligo
A week at the festival gives you time to experience more than the tournament venue.
Explore Sligo Town, walk along the Garavogue, discover the landscapes associated with W.B. Yeats, visit the Atlantic coast or spend time exploring the mountains, beaches, food and culture of County Sligo.
The festival programme will provide some organised opportunities to experience Sligo, while the tournament schedule also leaves time for players to explore independently.
Plan Your Stay
Stay at the Festival
Stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel and keep your tournament, accommodation and much of the festival programme in one place.
For international players in particular, staying at the festival venue makes it easy to move between tournament rounds, the Chess Lounge, social events and other activities throughout the week.
Getting to Sligo
Whether you’re travelling from elsewhere in Ireland or flying in from overseas, find information on airports, rail, bus, driving and getting to Sligo.
Make a Week of It
Play nine rounds of classical chess. Add blitz and rapid if you want more. Analyse your games in the Chess Lounge. Experience Irish culture, music and storytelling. Explore Sligo. Join the festival socials. Take some time by the sea.
Then finish the week with the final round, awards ceremony and one last gathering at Lough Gill Brewery.
Come to Sligo for the 9-Round Open. Stay for the experience.