9th International Chess Tournament "Vardaris" - Off we go!
The Vardaris wind has started blowing! Preparations for the 9th International Vardaris Tournament, which will take place from 19-23 February 2026, have started very early this year. Our aim as always is to surpass your expectations!
Vardaris is an official member of the ECC!
It is a great success for SACH Chess Club to become a member of the ECC (European Chess Club).
One club from each country participates in the ECC. (SACH will represent Greece.) This is a very promising project which all the participants are looking forward to impatiently. The main aim is to connect chess players from the whole of Europe.
This is a beginning which aims to unite chess clubs, through exchanges between players, organisers, and referees with the basic goal of becoming an all-European reservoir for the exchange of ideas, technical knowledge and events.
Soon we will have a lot more to say about the ECC. What we can announce at the moment is that there are 6 large International Tournaments in the initial line-up.
1. Thessaloniki, Greece, Vardaris Chess Tournament (19-23 February 2026)
2. Lyon, France, Championnat International d'Echecs de Lyon Henri Rinck (11-15 April 2026)
3. Vigevano, Italy, International Open "Citta' di Vigevano" (30 May -2 June 2026)
4. Maia, Portugal, Maia Chess Open (20 - 29 August 2026)
5. Berlin, Germany Berlin Bear Tournament (date to be announced)
6. Valencia, Spain, Open de Navidad - (26-31 December 2026)
Memories from the 8th Vardaris!
Theofilos Kalaitzidis, a chess player and member of the SACH Thessaloniki Chess Club, has produced a beautiful video which reproduces in the best way the experiences we shared during the 8th Vardaris Tournament.
Every year we try to create memories. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words: just imagine the video which is made up of thousands of pictures!
Everything as it was, everything better
Once again this year’s event will be hosted by the renovated 5-star Holiday Inn Hotel, which as every year offers special prices to those who wish to stay in the hotel which is the tournament venue.
Naturally you are free to choose where to stay and can decide which is the most suitable accommodation for you!
Viber Team
Join the Viber Team and you will be informed about anything important you need to know!
A further application of the Viber Team is the attempt to reduce the ecological footprint of the participants.
Anyone who wants to travel from, for example, Athens to Thessaloniki and is searching for transport or who has space in their car, sends a pm, we upload it to the Viber list of interested persons and those who wish to can communicate with each other!
Join the Viber Vardaris Team here!
Vardaris Online
On our website, in the bottom right corner you will find all the contact information!
Economical accommodation proposals, how to get here, questions about entering the tournament and everything else you might need!
We're looking forward to seeing you!
Entries so far on Chess-Results here