January 2026: The Worldwide Month of Chess!
January is one of the busiest months of the year for chess events. From amateur competitions to international open tournaments and elite events, chessboards come alive all around the world. Here’s an overview of the main tournaments across multiple continents!
🇺🇸 America
Championship Chess – New York, USA
A competitive start-of-year event in New York where local and international players face off in classical and rapid formats. (officialchess.org)
This tournament is a great chance to experience “American-style” chess, featuring a mix of club players and enthusiasts from across the continent.
🇮🇹 Italy
TRE RE 2026 – Milan (Jan 1‑6, 2026)
One of Italy’s traditional chess festivals with multiple categories (Open A, B, and Amateur), ideal for players of all levels. (mychess.events)
Festival della Befana – Rome (Jan 3‑6, 2026)
An international tournament with classical and rapid sections (the Rapid della Befana is played on Jan 6). (federscacchilazio.com)
8th International Chess Tournament – Trieste (Jan 4‑6, 2026)
An international event open to Italian and foreign players with various Elo divisions. (triestechess.com)
CIG Qualification Tournament – Albano Laziale (Jan 18, 2026) and Ostia (Jan 11, 2026)
Qualifiers for the national Italian Chess Championship. (federscacchilazio.com)
🇪🇸 Spain
Roquetas Chess Festival – Roquetas de Mar (Jan 2‑7, 2026)
A popular international open with classical and blitz sections, one of Europe’s longest-running chess festivals. (calendar.chessaround.com)
The event features sections for different Elo ratings, perfect for players seeking competition and an international social atmosphere. (ratings.fide.com)
🇨🇿 Czech Republic / Central Europe
Prague Open – Prague (Jan 9‑16, 2026)
An international chess festival with A, B, and C tournaments (plus optional rapid and blitz sections), open to players of all levels. (czechtour.net)
Prague is often a European hub for chess players who want to combine culture and competitive play.
🇳🇱 Northern Europe / Elite Event Tata Steel Chess Tournament – Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands (Jan 16‑Feb 1, 2026)
One of the world’s most prestigious tournaments, with a Masters section featuring top-level players and rising stars. (en.wikipedia.org)
Known as the “Wimbledon of Chess”, this event is a blend of history, culture, and elite competition.
