Roma Città Aperta – International Chess Festival
The major international chess tournament in the heart of Rome's Pigneto district
About Roma Città Aperta
Roma Città Aperta: International Chess in the Capital
The Roma Città Aperta International Chess Festival has become one of the most anticipated chess events on the Italian calendar. Every year in early December, the tournament draws hundreds of players from over forty countries to Rome, Lazio, offering a true international showcase that blends the competitive spirit of top-tier professionals with the passion of amateurs. The venue is the Hotel Eurostars Roma Aeterna, located between Via Casilina and Piazza del Pigneto, in the lively Pigneto district.
A High-Level Tournament
Each edition of the Festival guarantees the presence of at least a dozen Grandmasters, alongside numerous International Masters and FIDE Masters. The competitive core consists of classic tournaments played over nine rounds with time controls valid for international rankings. However, a much broader program revolves around the main boards, designed to engage every type of player.
Many Tournaments, One Festival
- Master and Open sections for various skill levels, the main classic-format tournaments;
- Senior Tournament reserved for more experienced players;
- Rapid and Blitz Tournaments, the most adrenaline-fueled fast-paced challenges;
- Team Tournament, where the game becomes a group effort;
- Italian Youth Championship qualifier, allowing younger players to experience the atmosphere of major tournaments.
Beyond the Chessboard
Roma Città Aperta is also a cultural festival: throughout the week, there are lectures, book and gaming platform presentations, themed exhibitions, and evening social events. This multidisciplinary dimension, which combines competition with networking and outreach, makes the event a benchmark for the entire Italian and international chess community.
In the Pigneto District
Hosting an international festival in Pigneto, one of Rome's most creative and cosmopolitan neighborhoods, is no coincidence: the event takes chess out of private clubs and places it at the center of city life. Easily accessible by public transport, the event is open to the public and offers a great opportunity to get closer to the game or watch the champions' matches live, which are also broadcast online.
Roma Città Aperta — edition 2026
The 7th Edition (2026)
From December 6 to 13, 2026, the Hotel Eurostars Roma Aeterna hosts the seventh edition of the Roma Città Aperta International Chess Festival. The competitive program includes classic tournaments over nine rounds (Master, Open, and Senior), alongside fast-paced events and side activities. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, December 6, while the final awards ceremony concludes the event on Sunday, December 13.
The event's international vocation is confirmed, with participants from over forty countries and the guaranteed presence of at least ten Grandmasters. Alongside the competition, the week offers lectures, book and chess platform presentations, as well as evening social events.
Programme Roma Città Aperta 2026
Main Tournaments (classic time control, 9 rounds)
- Master, Open A, Open B, and Senior, with a time control of 90' for the first 40 moves + 30' to finish the game + 30'' increment from the first move (90' + 30'' for Open B).
- Sunday, December 6: Opening ceremony in the afternoon and 1st round in the evening.
- Monday to Friday: Afternoon rounds; Saturday and Sunday rounds start in the morning.
- Sunday, December 13: 9th and final round in the morning, followed by the awards ceremony.
Side Events
- Rapid Tournament (10'+5") and Blitz Tournament (5'+3") in the Sala Capitolina.
- Team Tournament for three-player squads.
- Italian Youth Championship Under 18 qualifier.
Lectures and Presentations
- Presentations of platforms dedicated to chess and online gaming.
- Presentation of the anthology "L'Ultimo Scacco".
- Themed exhibitions, cultural meetings, and evening parties.
Matches from the main tournaments are broadcast live online.
Highlights Roma Città Aperta 2026
- 7th edition of the International Chess Festival in the Capital.
- Over forty countries represented and at least ten Grandmasters expected.
- Classic Master, Open A/B, and Senior tournaments over nine rounds.
- Rapid and Blitz fast-paced events, team tournament, and Under 18 youth qualifier.
- Lectures, book presentations, and evening parties in the Pigneto district.
Prices Roma Città Aperta 2026
Practical information — Roma Città Aperta
Location
Matches are held at the Hotel Eurostars Roma Aeterna, Via Casilina 125 / Piazza del Pigneto 9A, 00176 Rome (RM), in the Pigneto district.
Getting There
The venue is well-connected: it can be reached in a few minutes from the Roma Termini railway station and via metro lines and trams heading to Pigneto. By car, access is easy from Via Casilina.
Registration and Information
Tournament registration is handled online via the platforms indicated on the official website. For information: [email protected] — www.romacittaperta.com. Matches from the main tournaments are broadcast live online.
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Where does it take place — Roma Città Aperta
Hotel Eurostars Roma Aeterna
Via Casilina 125 / Piazza del Pigneto 9A, 00176 Roma